Page 123 of Never Tell Secrets

She was right. Deep down in my bones, I knew she was right. I might be stronger now and smarter, I might be able to survive him, move on to a new relationship with a new man if I had to but a part of me, a vital part of me would always belong to Alfie Tell and a part of him would always belong with me, a piece of shrapnel in my chest.

But those weren’t thoughts for now, for right now, I just wanted to be with my best friend because she had a part ofme too and I had a part of her. I’d left our friendship behind two and a half years ago, let it get lost while I got swept up in Alfie’s storm. I’d promised her that wouldn’t happen again and it wasn’t a difficult promise to keep. Alfie Tell made me feel things that no one else ever had, but Keira Larson was always going to be my favourite person in the world.

I squeezed her hand, offering her a smile. “Wanna go sunbathe and not think about boys anymore?”

She gave me a wide grin, her serious expression vanishing. “Yes please.”

Keira and I spent the day on the beach, I under an umbrella and smothered in sunscreen, Keira, star fishing under the grecian sun as if she was Alectrona herself.

Over the course of the afternoon, I felt my best friend come back to me, our connection slotting back into place as the demons that had taunted her over the last few weeks faded away, at least for a while.

We cheered Maia when she approached with a tray of mojitos and it was Keira who insisted she stay when she tried to excuse herself. I sipped my drink, gazing out at the sea, wondering if Alfie was still out there onThe Isabella.

Keira and Maia chatted beside me and I stayed quiet, giving them room to bond without Maia using me as a buffer. I wondered if our closeness had always been intimidating to her, perhaps she’d felt she couldn’t be a part of our friendship. She might never be as close as Keira and I were, but something about having her here felt right. She was a good balance between us and her shyness gave way to a dry humour that bounced well off Keira.

That night, we went out for dinner to celebrate our last night here. I wore the same pale blue dress that Alfie liked so much.

Hours later, full, happy and a little tipsy, we arrived back at our piece of paradise. Maia slurred a goodnight as she headed up to her room. Keira giggled as she tripped on the stairs. I tucked an arm under hers and helped her up to her own room where she flopped onto her bed in a heap.

“Lo? She pushed up onto her elbows. “You’re not going to bed are you?”

“Yeah, unless you want to stay up and watch something?”

“No, I might have made other plans though. For you, I mean.” She nodded her head at the window. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion and rushed across the room to seeThe Isabellapulling into the dock.

My heart began to pound the way it always did when Alfie was nearby. I’d seen him this morning, but already it felt like an age, his absence leaving an ache I felt everywhere.

“Keira…what?”

“I called him, told him to get you.”

I spun, staring at my best friend. “Why?”

“I’m trying to be supportive.” She struggled into a sitting position, looking like she was doing her best to be serious despite the Ouzo. “Thank you for helping me figure shit out the last few days but I don’t need you to babysit me tonight. We’re in Greece, it’s romantic, he’s a billionaire with a big boat?—”

“A superyacht.”

“Whatever.” She waved a hand. “My point is, you can go be with him tonight, if you want to.”

I went to her, wrapping my arms around her warm, familiar body. “Thank you.”

Thirty-Eight

Alfie met me on the dock, his jacket, tie and waistcoat missing from his attire, leaving him in just grey slacks and a white shirt.

“Hey baby.” He smiled, waiting until I reached for him before he wrapped an arm around my waist, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “I love that blue on you. I’m going to buy you a hundred dresses in that colour.”

I hopped on boardThe Isabella,following Alfie into the cockpit where Elliot greeted us, steering the yacht away from the dock.

In the lounge I paused, immediately kicking off my shoes like it was a second home. Alfie eyed my discarded shoes with a small smile and all of a sudden I felt strangely self-conscious. Was tonight the night? Did he expect it? What if?—

“Hey.” Alfie stepped into my space, jolting me out of my spiralling thoughts. “Nothing happens until you say so.” He reached up a hand, letting it hover near my cheek, not touching, not without permission. I sighed, leaning into his touch. I let my walls slip down and allowed him in, relishing in his comfort.

Where once he was a cold, hard statue, now he was a fire, not raging out of control, but a steady blaze in a home hearth. Ahearth I could build my life around, could be warmed by when I needed it, could rest and eat at every day. He was my safety, my home.

“Come on, I have a surprise.”

“Another one?”