Page 103 of Never Tell Secrets

“What kind of plant is that?” Maia asked.

“A tamarisk. There’s a spot in Laura’s garden beyond our villa, completely exposed to sunlight. The soil is very bad there but these babies love infertile soil and thrive in full sun. It’s best to plant them in the autumn so they should take.” I selected one, taking a closer look at it.

“That one looks good,” Maia said.

“The leaves look okay, but here, see?” I lifted the shrub out of the pot, turning it upside down to show her the dried out roots. “It’s going to struggle.”

I moved onto another one with a stronger base and checked the roots of that one too, finding them soft and succulent. I lifted it to my nose and inhaled. “That right there, is the best smell in the world.” I grinned at Maia and I’m not sure which of us was more surprised that she smiled back.

I paid for the plant, accepted a hug from the owner and told her I would try to come back next year. Despite the language barrier I think she understood me.

The midday sun was starting to get a little too hot so we wandered back in the direction Keira had headed in. We found her sitting at a table outside a cafe, surrounded by the three men she had left with earlier, each of them looked enthralled with her.

I introduced myself but beyond that I, like Maia, was happy to sit back and let Keira do the entertaining. By the time lunch was over, Keira had signed us up for drinks and dancing tonight. It seemed like my best friend was going to ride the distraction train as far as it would take her, whether she liked the final destination or not.

The day's sun had sunk into my skin, still warming me despite the cool of the evening. My white halter dress brushed my thighs as I walked down the stone steps to the bar where Keira had arranged to meet her new friends.

I could hear the music from the street, my best friend practically hummed with excitement, and Maia was her usual reserved self. I’d expected her to stay back at the villa for a quiet night but once again she’d surprised me by coming with us.

The steps led us down into a large open courtyard, tables lining the outside leaving a large space in the middle for dancing. A band was set up in one corner, a small bar was situated in another. Everywhere natives and tourists were drinking, dancing, soaking up the last of the fun before they went back to their daily lives.

I heard a shout and following the sound I spotted one of the men Keira had been speaking to earlier. He climbed on a table, a drink in one hand as he waved us over.

Keira led the way and made the introductions. Dimitri, Niko and Stefan each had dark hair, jovial smiles and white shirts. Dimitri’s gaze never left Keira and she returned every heated look. I arched an eyebrow at her, wondering why she was playing so hard. This had always been her way of blowing off steam but Icouldn’t help but think that more meaningless sex might not be what she needed right now.

The boys were about three drinks ahead of us and already tipsy. Stefan slung an arm over Maia’s shoulder, loudly asking if he could buy her a drink. Her gaze met mine and I could tell right then it was going to be a long night, we might as well have a cocktail.

An hour later, sweat beaded on my skin as Niko spun me to the last beat of the song. I laughed, clapping with everyone else as the band took a break. Niko was a good dancer, a gentleman too as his hands hadn’t strayed once. Unlike Demetri whose hands had wandered over Keira every chance he could get.

“Another drink?” Niko asked, his pretty accent lilting over the words.

I nodded. “Just water please.”

The handsome man kissed my hand with a grin before heading off with his friends to get another round. I grabbed Keira’s hand, tugging her off the dancefloor for a break. We found Maia at our table, nursing a diet coke. She’d allowed Stefan one dance before freeing him to find a new lady for the night.

“Having fun?” Keira asked her, breathless.

“I am actually. I like watching the dancing.” Her pretty curls were loose down to her waist, a rare sight when she usually had them tied up out of the way. “Are you enjoying yourself?” she asked me.

“Yeah, I am.” I laughed. “I’m beat though, maybe we should call it a night soon.”

Keira scowled. “You can if you want, I’m just getting started.”

I eyed my best friend. Keira was a party girl, always had been, but it had always been fun, light-hearted. Recently, it was becoming a compulsion, something she seemed to be doing almost against her own will. Like she was running a marathonfor a prize she didn’t even want. But if this was how she was choosing to process whatever was bothering her then I would assume the role of supportive friend until she said otherwise.

Her phone buzzed and her jaw tightened as she swiped the screen.

“Everything okay?”

She looked up at me, her eyes dark and laced with liquor. “Did you invite him?”

“Who?”

She stuck her phone in front of my face, displaying a text from someone called‘Eight’.

Greece is nice this time of year, don’t you think? This little town is no Mykonos though, no wonder you’re contemplating a foursome just to keep the itch off. Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon, let’s see what I can do about that itch…

What the hell? I looked up at her. “Eight? Who’s eight?”