Page 116 of Never Tell Secrets

“Do you think I should send something if I don’t come for breakfast?” He turned, looking down at me in my tangle of sheets, a dreamy look on his face. “I know your favourite thing for breakfast is a blueberry muffin, what’s Keira’s?”

I stared at him, wondering why he cared. Maybe he was trying to put some effort into mending Keira's broken trust in him. “A cherry danish. I don’t know where you’ll get one here though.”

He pointed at himself. “Billionaire, remember?”

I scoffed and threw a pillow at him. “Get out of here.” I watched him walk out of the room, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.

Breathless, I fell back on the pillows and called Keira. For once, she answered on the first try.

“So, breakfast huh? With Alfie?”

“Mum’s idea,” she sighed, the annoyance clear in her voice.

“I can disinvite him, you know. It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s fine.” I could practically hear her shrug. “I don’t want to cause a fight between you.”

“No fight. He really won’t mind.” There was a pause and I was sure she was wearing the same suspicious look I had a few minutes ago.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, the man’s changed, Keira.”

Silence dragged on her end and I waited for her to disinvite him. I wouldn’t blame her, as much as I wished she could get along with him, I understood why she didn’t. I wasn’t the only person Alfie had hurt.

“He can come. I’ll use him to distract my mother.”

I snorted. “Okay, thanks Keira.”

“You’re welcome…” her voice trailed off and I waited patiently for whatever came next. “Lo, I know you’re wrapped up in Alfie but I need you around today.”

Now it was my turn to be silent. Keira was not an‘I need you’person. Concern sparked in the pit of my stomach but I tried not to overreact. If it was serious she would have rung me sooner…which she had actually done but Alfie had picked up the phone instead.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing bad, I just…I need to hang out today. No boys.”

I sighed. As much as I enjoyed being with Alfie, I knew my psyche needed a break from him too. “You’ve got me, Keira. Always.”

We hung up and I climbed out of bed, searching for the green dress I’d thrown off last night but it wasn’t there. Stepping into the closet I found it on a hanger, freshly laundered.

My underwear however, was not freshly laundered. I pulled off my knickers and stuffed them in my bag. I'd have to go commando until I got to Keira’s. I slipped on the dress, freshened up and went to look for Alfie.

I found him on the upper deck, in the middle of what was clearly a work call. His eyes warmed when he saw me and I leant against the rail, watching him watch me.

His gaze roamed over my hair catching in the breeze, the way the bodice of the dress cupped my breasts. Weeks ago, his glances had been restrained, well behaved. Now, he was becoming more daring, showing me more hints of the man I’d known. As if he was brave enough to show me now, as if I was brave enough to meet that man again.

He ended his call and came to me, looking his old self again in his suit.

“I’ll have you back soon.” He nodded and I looked behind me. Keira’s parents' house was just visible in the distance.

The wind caught my dress, lifting it. I grabbed it, pinning it down before I flashed myself to the world.

Alfie arched an eyebrow at me. “Are you alright?”

“Yep.” I smiled but he wasn’t convinced.

“Lola…” he said in that‘Lie to me, I dare you’tone that always sent a shiver up my spine.