fling. There was something about Stephanie.
You before me.
Always you before me.
He smiled. It was all he could do. He would savour this. Her. And them.
“Vault’s not quite full yet. I need more memories with you, Stephanie.”
“That is one big motherfucker!” Roxy said in wonder as she looked at Big Buddha.
Stacey, Melissa, and Cassie laughed. Stevie just smiled as she took photos of the attraction. She hadn’t wanted to go sightseeing, but Cassie had almost had a fit. Apparently, as ‘friends,’ they hadn’t done enough. Stevie couldn’t argue. If she did, the girls would have been suspicious, and she didn’t want them ruining what she had with Julian. It wasn’t about anyone but them. They were in their own little world. He hadn’t kissed her again, but he had held her on the beach as they’d watched the sunset. That had been almost twenty-four hours ago.
She felt awful for not meeting him on the beach this afternoon. It had been a quick agreement they had made before she returned to her hotel room. Stevie had had no idea that the girls from her business management class would want to spend the whole day together. From swimming at Kata Noi Beach to getting Thai massages, shopping by the street stalls, and now visiting Big Buddha, they’d had a full day. Next was the night market for street food. As she’d spent more time around them, Stevie had grown to like her classmates, but she resented them at the same time. Had she known they’d be together all day, she’d have found a way to tell Julian not to wait.
Maybe he thinks I’m not showing because I hated the kiss.
All she could do was frown. She had no idea how to find him; she wasn’t even sure where he was staying. Once they got back, she’d wait at the beach all night and even tomorrow and hope he’d show up again. But the chances were slim, so she sighed. He’d no doubt find some other girl. And that caused a pang of jealousy in her chest. It rendered her speechless.
“Stevie?” Roxy’s voice had her craning her neck.
The concern in Roxy’s eyes towards her was not what she was used to. Neither was the use of ‘Stevie.’ But since yesterday, Roxy had consistently used her preferred nickname rather than Stephanie.
“Yeah?” Stevie placed her camera in her bag and turned her attentions to her roommate.
“I’ve got this,” Roxy stated with a smile.
“What?” Stevie asked, confused.
“That guy you’re spending your time with. I saw you both yesterday when I was coming back from the Scotsman’s hotel room.”
She knew she should deny Julian’s existence. Not let anyone know. But Roxy had seen them, and yesterday, Stevie and Julian had been too hands-on to claim otherwise.
“What about the guy I was with yester—Wait!—You call him ‘the Scotsman’? Isn’t that weird?” Stevie pulled on her ponytail to tighten the band’s hold of her hair.
Roxy grinned. “I call him other things, too. But that’s between us. Go back to the beach. I’ve got you covered.”
“How?”
Then Roxy’s grin turned into a huge smile that was actually a little frightening. “Like this.” She paused. “Girls, Stevie’s gotta run.”
Melissa continued to take more pictures of the Big Buddha while Cassie and Stacey turned around.
“What?” Cassie asked in a high-pitched voice.
“Sorry?” Stevie offered with a shrug.
“You’re going to miss the night market. No. Absolutely not. No way are you—”
“She has to call Jarred,” Roxy stated, interrupting Cassie’s rant.
Cassie’s cheeks turned a pink shade, and then she closed her mouth. Stevie raised an eyebrow at Roxy, who winked at her.
“Yes,” Stevie said confidently. “He misses me. A lot. Like, so much.”
“Run along, Stevie. Make sure you tell your brother we said hi. Right, Cassie?” Roxy asked.
“Yes,” Cassie blurted out before she composed herself. “Tell him we said hi.” Then Cassie flipped her long, black hair and turned around.
Stevie couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s dramatic antics. “What was that about?” she whispered to Roxy.
Roxy squinted at her. “She’s in love with your brother.”
Stevie gagged. “Well, okay, then. Someone loving Jarred is kinda gross.”
“So is having to listen to me have sex. I’m sorry about that,” Roxy said with a hint of embarrassment and regret in her voice.
Stevie shrugged. “Sorry I kinda let loose. I don’t mean to be a cockblock.”
Roxy smiled. “Me, either. Now, go to him. I’ll see you later. I’m staying with the Scotsman tonight.”
“Okay, then. I’ll see you, Rox.” Stevie waved bye before running towards the exit.
Please be there.
Once she got