Chapter Twenty-Two
Ella
“And…open your eyes.”
Ella squinted as she adjusted to the warm light streaming in through Senhor Arenoso’s windows.
“Release a final breath and ground yourself back in the room,” he said, opening his eyes and doing the same.
She exhaled, tuning into the sounds, the caress of the breeze in her hair, the softness of the mat beneath her fingers. The blue sky stretched out across the sea, the chatter of the birds filtering in through the open air.
“How do you feel?” he asked.
“Great,” she answered honestly. She stretched her arms and back but froze when she remembered the chiffon scarf wrapped around her neck. She styled it out, bringing her hands back to check it was still securely in place.
Phew. She released another breath and pretended to look out at the view.
“I’m very pleased with your growth.” He nodded, and she turned back to him. “You should be proud of yourself.”
“You know what? I am.”
His eyes crinkled at the edges, but Ella didn’t miss how his gaze wandered to the scarf.
The pink-and-purple garment wasn’t something she’d usually opt to wear—unless she was being held at gunpoint or it was for some high-paid dare. She’d borrowed it from Pauline, with a no-questions-asked agreement, but under Senhor’s steely gaze, sweat beaded beneath the material.
“It’s not that bad,” Riley had commented earlier.
She’d observed herself in the mirror, the collection of purple and yellow bruises marking her neck. Ella had twirled the fabric. “I look like my mum. Tragic.”
“Do you think anyone will notice?” Riley thumbed her own singular bruise before pulling up the collar of her shirt to hide it .
“That we’re both acting strange and wearing different clothes…? Nah, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Riley groaned and slinked towards her. “I know. I’m sorry.” She dipped to plant kisses along her neck. “I might have got a little carried away.”
Ella turned to putty in Riley’s arms as her mouth explored the delicate skin. They’d quickly fallen into bed again, making Ella late for her last session with Marco Marcos. Everything at Sandy Springs was coming to an end—except for one thing, her relationship with Riley.
She couldn’t stop the stupid smile from erupting across her face. Senhor Arenoso glanced at her, and she bit her lip to hide it.
“I’m sorry,” she said, when he continued to watch her expectantly. “Did you say something?”
He rose to collect the empty mugs in front of them. “I asked how you felt about the fire ceremony tomorrow.”
Ah, yes. The fire ceremony was a key event for the course. It marked the end of their old life and gave them a chance to cleanse and make way for the journey ahead of them once they left Sandy Springs. They would also receive their spirit-guide totems, something to carry and guide them through the next stages. Ella didn’t really know what to expect.
From the ceremony or her new old life back home.
Was Riley going to come back with her? And both of them make the token lesbian move and start living together after a few weeks? She could just imagine Winnie’s face when she showed up with Riley on her arm .
Or did Riley’s idea of leaving mean something different?
Ella doubted Riley would want to go back to Ireland after everything she’d mentioned about her dad, but if life had taught her anything, it was to never be too sure. She needed to bite the bullet and talk to her about it tonight.
“Something on your mind?” Senhor Arenoso asked.
Oh, shit. She still hadn’t answered him. She forced a laugh and shook her head. “Sorry. Just thinking about the end of all of this.”
He filled the cups with water and set them in the sink before turning around. “There’s a lot to think about.” He regarded her in that all-seeing way that made Ella itch at her stupid scarf again. “The fire ceremony will help you steer your path. And, of course, the discovery of your spirit guide also.”
“Any chance you can let me know now?”
“ De gr?o a gr?o, enche a galinha o papo. ” When Ella looked back at him blankly, he beamed. “Grain by grain, the chicken fills its crop. You can’t rush these things.”
A simple “No” would’ve sufficed.
Ella should’ve known to expect something cryptic from him. She smiled back; one more day wasn’t long to wait. And she wasn’t looking for quick fixes anymore. That was something she hoped to leave behind here. She was still finding her purpose in life; she was still jobless and unsure about her next steps, but truthfully, she was okay with that. Who really knew anything? Just because Devin and Clarice had seemingly got their shit together, didn’t mean Ella was a disappointment. Just because they were set on achieving every medical award ever created, and their two little perfect twins were already more talented than she was at playing piano—especially considering all Ella’s years of lessons—that didn’t mean she was failing. She was more in touch with life than she’d ever been. She had to stop comparing herself to others.
She nodded and rose to her feet. “Thank you.”
Senhor Arenoso opened his palms to her. “You did all the work.”
Not quite. She bit her tongue. If it’d been up to her, she’d have happily catnapped on the comfy chaise-longue in the corner until the sessions were up. But Senhor and Marco Marcos had pushed her to look past the barriers she constructed around herself. Removing them had helped her see where she’d been standing in her own way, and where she’d been blaming other people—her mother, for one. Over the last few years, their relationship had faded in parts. Ella was too busy or, more likely, too embarrassed to turn up when she’d got nothing to show. But she realised she’d piled that pressure on herself. It was enough to just turn up.
She considered the man in front of her. His kind eyes and patient demeanour. She understood why Riley held him in such high regard. A small fleck of guilt peeled away when she thought about how he might feel about Riley leaving. She glanced at the floor, swallowed, and then forced herself to speak. “No, really. Thank you for everything. This whole experience has changed my life.”
“I’m happy you’re finding yourself again. That’s all we can ask for.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, those dark eyes peering into hers. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the fire ceremony.” The corners of his mouth quirked, and then he removed his hand.
What was that smile about?
Ella uttered another thanks, grabbed her bag, and stepped out into the hot Portuguese sun. Ah, she was going to miss this. She let the light warm her skin and then checked her watch. Riley should be done with her classes for the day.
The thought of seeing her sparked something hot in her stomach, and she started walking faster. Ever since the anniversary of Riley’s accident, their relationship had shifted. The fear had dispersed, making room for more openness and touching. Riley especially had seemed to get a new lease of life. Ella was almost too afraid to say it out into the universe, but…she was…excited about the future.
God, I even make myself wanna puke.
But the shit-eating grin stayed on her face as she hiked up the steps and drifted through the courtyard. People were milling about, carrying logs, firewood, and decorations, readying themselves for the ceremony tomorrow. Ella’s gaze combed the space, finding the familiar mane of blonde hair as Riley carried her surfboard out of the hire shop. Her blue eyes immediately landed on Ella.
“Hey, you.” She smirked, her focus drifting to the scarf wrapped around Ella’s neck.
“Hey, yourself.”
They stood watching each other for a moment, and butterflies multiplied in Ella’s belly.
“You wanna walk?” Riley asked, and the two of them started making their way up the path to their cabins, narrowly avoiding a young girl pulling a cart full of wood. “How was your last session with Senhor Arenoso?”
“Good.” Ella nodded as their steps fell into sync. “He’s happy with my progress.”
“That’s great. How you feeling about the ceremony tomorrow?”
Ella glanced at Riley as she readjusted the board under her arm. She admired the curve of her bicep, briefly thinking about tracing the outline with her tongue. She cleared her throat, raising her eyes to greet a passer-by. “I’m a bit apprehensive. Nervous. I don’t really know what to expect.”
“The fire ceremony is a guest favourite for a reason. The fire cleanses and marks our new start, clearing the past and guiding us forward.” Riley grazed Ella’s shoulder with hers, and the fuzzy feeling in her stomach grew. “Though I admit I’m nervous about this one too.”
“You are?” They rounded the corner, the tree with the creepy fingers waving its greeting from the top of the hill. “How come?”
“It’s also my last. Leaving all of this behind…saying go odbye…it’s going to be difficult.”
Ella’s heart sank. “You can still change your mind. If it’s not what you want.”
They reached the creepy tree and stopped outside Ella’s door. Riley rested her surfboard against the wall and turned to face her. She took her hands and brought them to her lips, planting kisses on her fingers. “I’ve made my decision, Ella. When our path starts to merge with another and change direction, we have to listen.” Her steady blue irises held Ella’s. Tingles spread down her arms and spine. “I’m scared, but I have faith in my path. I know Senhor Arenoso will understand that too. I hope.” She glanced over her shoulder before crushing Ella’s lips in a kiss. “I want you,” she breathed against her.
Ella’s belly flip-flopped, and she kissed her back, heat flowing through her veins. Riley met her with just as much force. Something about being affectionate out in the open was really getting Ella’s motor running. They’d fucked in about every place possible in Riley’s cabin…but they’d yet to explore hers.
“I want you too,” she whispered against Riley’s lips, desire coiling in her abdomen. “Right now.”
She guided Riley back against her door, her heartbeat racing in her chest. With a shaky hand, she produced the key from her pocket and unlocked it, and they stumbled into her apartment. Riley pressed her up against the wall, her mouth nipping at hers and drawing a groan from her throat as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Her hands swept Ella’s body, already pulling at her dress and sliding it up over her hips. Ella’s lips parted to welcome her tongue, and everything pulled taut, hot, burning heat slipping between her thighs.
Riley’s palm pressed her clit through her underwear, and Ella gasped. “God, yes, Riley. Take me right here.”
An ear-shattering wolf-whistle pierced the air, and the two of them jumped apart.
“I really wish you wouldn’t,” a familiar voice said.
No. It couldn’t be. Ella peered at the figure lying on her bed and let out a loud squeal. “Winnie! What the hell are you doing here?”
Winnie jumped up, blonde hair in disarray like she’d been caught in a hurricane, wearing a white tank top that was at least two sizes too small. “Bitch, I’m here for your graduation thingy. Surprise!” A moment later, Ella was crushed between her best friend’s boobs, suffocating on a mix of her expensive perfume and a lingering whiff of plane alcohol.
“Oh my god! I can’t believe you’re here.” A swell of emotion rose in Ella’s throat, and she squeezed Winnie a little tighter.
“Want me to pinch you to check you’re not having a wet dream?” Winnie pulled back and looked at Riley, who was turning red at an increasing rate. “Oh, hello.” Winnie let out a low whistle as she took her in, peering over her glasses. “And this must be the lovely Riley, I assume. Good job, Ella. Really good job.”
Ella nudged her. “Stop looking at her like that!”
Winnie raised her palms and shrugged. “What? I have good eyesight. A girl can appreciate.”
Unbelievable .
Ella readjusted her damp underwear and sucked in a breath to calm her racing heart. She took Riley’s clammy hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. “Riley, this is my best friend and favourite worst nightmare, Winnie.”
“So nice to meet you.” Riley offered her free hand. “Ella’s told me a lot about you.”
“The pleasure’s all mine.” Winnie looked between them and raised her eyebrows. “Now, where’s the tequila?”
* * *
Winnie took a sip from her glass and grimaced. “It tastes funky.”
“That’s probably because it hasn’t got any vodka in it.”
Riley had left the two of them to catch up, so Ella had taken Winnie on a quick tour around Sandy Springs. They’d only got as far as the food hall, where Winnie had been sure she could find some booze to celebrate. Now, her pouting mouth said it all.
She raised her glass to Ella’s. “Well, you look fucking fantastic. Maybe they’re onto something with the no alcohol.” She nodded. “Apart from that awful scarf, though. What is that?” She reached out, but Ella knocked her hand away .
“It’s good to see you too, Winn.” Ella gave her friend a squeeze, ignored the raised eyebrow at her scarf, and they both took a seat on the bench overlooking the cliffs. Birds were ferrying back and forth, and the late afternoon sun was still warm above their heads. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
Winnie laughed. “Between me and Chezza, I thought you’d prefer my surprise arrival. I hope so anyway.”
“Of course. Though I do need to speak to her and thank her for all of this.” Ella felt Winnie’s gaze on her. “What?”
“Holy mother of moly. Have they spiked the water? Chopped up some funny mushrooms in your food?” She made a show of checking Ella’s pulse and temperature, and Ella batted her away. “Or did you really just ignore the Chezza comment and say you wanted to thank your mum?”
Ella bit the inside of her cheek. “Fuck off. I’ve got a thank you for you too.”
“Oh, boy, this should be good.”
“You’re the worst.”
“That’s an unusual thank you.”
Ella jostled her, and they both broke into a grin.
“Really, Ella. How’s it been?”
Ella noted the concern in her eyes. “It’s been…challenging, but necessary, I think. As much as it pains me to admit it, you and Mum were right.”
To Ella’s surprise, Winnie didn’t remove her shirt to run a victory lap around her as she fist-pumped the air. She just bobbed her head and took another swig from her bottle of fruit juice. “What about Riley?”
Ella told her Riley’s plan to speak to Senhor Arenoso the day after the ceremony and their plans to leave together, though her vague answers to Winnie’s questions were obvious.
“Wow. Are you sure you’re ready for all of this? Things are moving very quickly.”
Riley’s face popped into Ella’s head. Those kind blue eyes, her gentle heart. The dolphin tattoo between her shoulder blades. The way she made Ella feel more like herself than she had…ever.
“Yeah, Winn. I am.”
Winnie smiled, her eyes crinkling, then tugged at the scarf wound around Ella’s neck, letting out a happy cackle. “I knew you would be sure, with marks like that!” She let out another whistle and wiggled her eyebrows. “Damn, girl. Has Riley got any siblings?”