Page 41 of Harper's Holiday Romance

And just like that, a clean slate was presented, and a new bond was forged.

I had wanted to categorically avoid Julia Hanlow like I wanted to avoid the numerous species of Mexican spiders that terrified me half to death. All it took was a turtle adventure and lunch underneath a beautiful bamboo structure to change my mind.

I now wanted to get to know Julia Hanlow.

I wanted to see her again in any capacity.

I wanted the complete opposite to what I wanted that morning. Life was unpredictable.

8

I couldn’t believe she was on the same floor.

Literally across the hall.

She was a set of beige lounge chairs with wooden legs—which were adorable by the way—and two giant potted plants away from me.

It took a three-hour champagne fuelled debrief with Billie and Sarah after dinner to even contemplate going to sleep. I tossed back and forth until Billie threatened to make me sleep on the balcony.

The next morning I woke to Billie stretching her limbs. I jolted upright when the service bell chimed. “What the hell? Did you order more Pringles?” I accused.

“Nope.” Billie groaned.

The peephole revealed nobody on the other side, but poking out from underneath the door was a folded piece of paper. It was the same paper used to wish Billie a false happy birthday.

“What is it?” Billie called.

“It’s from the conc—” I stalled. The writing, twisting and curvaceous was clearly visible.

“What does it say?” Billie appeared by my side, peering over my shoulder.

“It’s Julia’s phone number.”

“No way.” Billie pulled the paper from my fingertips.

“Careful, you’ll rip it!”

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror; my eyes were bulging out like a cartoon character. Relax.

“What if I just accidently tripped and it fell off the balcony,” Billie joked.

“Then I’d go down and get it.” I stuck my tongue out and lunged for the note. Billie pulled it away with her enviable reflexes.

“Too slow.” She looked around the room before her eyes settled on the bedside table and more specifically my phone.

Oh shit.

There was a standoff. She edged towards my phone, and I edged towards her legs. Billie would win hands down, no competition. I’d trip over the edge of the bed, whack my knee on the hard tiled floor and end up in A&E.

“I will reach that phone, get to the balcony, and barricade myself out there before you get me,” Billie said with the confidence of Conor McGregor. “Or you could allow me to support you in this new venture.”

“What is this, a business idea? Can you at least tell me what you plan to do in simple terms.” I edged my foot forwards slightly; maybe I could get a head start.

“I want to send a text message that will make Julia want to pierce your vagina with her fingers.”

“Erm, that sounds painful.” I winced.

“Okay, well, you get the point. Can I?” She smirked. I had no choice either way.