Chapter Twenty-Four #3
Diana had no choice in the matter; she was thrown into action by a short man, the courtyard circling around her. She stumbled, then righted herself, remembering her dance lessons.
“Swap your partner!”
Diana was catapulted to the left, landing in the strong arms of another man who smelled like cinnamon.
Her eyes widened. She was dancing with Faye’s dad, David.
He grinned as they moved left and then right, the dance floor packed full of bodies.
She caught sight of Faye as they circled around, her grin making her heart flutter again.
After another spin and clap, they swapped partners, and the two of them slotted together like magnets. Faye grinned, her hands warm and firm and sparking flames as they brushed against her skin.
“Are you having fun?” Diana asked, her own happiness tripling at the sight of Faye’s.
“I am now.” She held her tighter. “I want to talk to you properly, though.”
“Now spin your partner!”
When Diana came back to meet those beautiful eyes, Faye lowered her voice, though the music was loud enough to mask it. “Meet me at our bench?”
She nodded, then at the direction of the caller, they changed partners, the song kicking up tempo.
By the time Diana finally pulled herself from the dance floor, heart racing and heat creeping up her neck, Faye was already waiting. Away from the crowds, hidden by the darkness, the faint ocean breeze lifted the hair around her neck.
Faye let out a low whistle as she approached, her eyes roaming her body hungrily. “You look incredible. As always. Is there anything you can’t make look a million dollars?”
Diana couldn’t fight the feeling fanning in her stomach. She let her gaze drop over Faye’s dress. “Green looks great on you.”
“Thank you.”
The two of them didn’t say anything for a moment, the sounds of the party mixing with the hush of the waves below.
Faye scratched the back of her neck. “God. I don’t know where to start. There’s so much I want to say to you.” Her attention fell on the totem hanging around Diana’s neck, and she grinned again. “The dove… It suits you, you know.”
“Do you think?”
“Definitely.” Faye took a step closer, the moon hanging bright in the sky behind her. “Underneath those layers of perfectly tailored linen, you’re a softie. I always sensed it.”
Diana shook her head, but Faye reached out and took her hand.
“Really, though, getting to know you has been amazing. I’ve loved every second.
” She sighed. “Honestly, I’ve been struggling with it all coming to an end.
The course, the island. Us.” Her eyes flicked back to hers.
Softer in the moonlight. “Diana, I…I know we had an agreement, but I don’t want this to be goodbye when we step off this island tomorrow. ”
Diana swallowed, emotion thick in her throat. She didn’t want that either, but the words were hard to say. They were her last layer of security; once they were out, she’d be disarmed and unguarded. Forever.
“Do you remember our conversation on the beach? About telling the truth?” Faye brushed her thumb over Diana’s hand.
The party cheered behind her, echoing in the quiet.
“I don’t know if being honest when it comes to my feelings will ever come without fear, but I know I don’t want to leave here with any regrets.
And if I leave without saying this to you, it’ll be the biggest regret of my life.
” She blew out a big breath. “Here goes nothing. I know we should’ve spoken about this before now, but I was afraid of ruining a good thing.
I suppose waiting until now, with only hours left, I’ve nothing to lose by laying my cards on the table.
” Her eyes crinkled, the passion swirling in her irises.
“So here they are. I know there’s distance to overcome.
And a daughter,” she added sheepishly. “But I want to try.”
“You don’t want me, Faye.”
“What?”
Diana pressed her lips together. The words had come out harsher than she’d intended. But the ache in her chest called her back. The fear holding her there. She knew what people would say.
“When we get back to the real world, you won’t want me. You’re young, and you’ve got everything ahead of you. I don’t want to stand in the way of that.”
“Diana, that’s bullshit.” Her sharp tone forced their eyes to lock.
“You don’t get to tell me what I do or don’t want.
Did you not hear what I just said?” When Diana glanced away, unable to stomach the look in her eyes, Faye cupped her face, the action so soft and genuine, the backs of her eyes pricked.
“I want to uncover more of your layers. I want to show you how beautiful you are, like you do to me. I want to love you in all the ways you deserve.” She stroked her cheek, across the mole she’d declared her favourite. “I want you.”
Those three little words pierced the veil Diana had shrouded herself with. She didn’t have any of this under control. When it came to Faye, she wasn’t sure if she ever had. And though the words still stuck in the base of her throat, her body always knew what to do.
She kissed her, threading her fingers through her hair and pulling her closer.
The stars gleamed above, the music from the party playing like a soundtrack just for them.
Her stomach flip-flopped, heat curling in all the familiar places Faye ignited as she deepened the kiss.
Senhor had a point, didn’t he? They needed to stop letting fear take the reins and live. They could do it. They could—
“What the fuck?”
A voice shot that hope straight in the head.
Diana jumped away, but it was too late.
Molly stood, the moonlight sharpening the shadows in her expression. “Tell me I’m not seeing this.”
The air grew cold. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” Diana said, holding her palms up, but Molly cast daggers at her.
“Then what is it? Because it looks like my mum is kissing my ex-girlfriend.” She shook her head, blonde curls trembling. “And that’s so fucked up to even say, never mind look at.”
“It’s nothing. It’s nothing like that. I…” But she had nothing to say. No words to explain. Panic eroded everything. She glanced at Faye, hoping to find something to help her, but the pain in her eyes was quick, unguarded, like she’d hit something raw.
“Is this to get back at me?” Molly asked. “For ignoring you for so long?”
Diana frowned. “What? No—”
“And that’s why you didn’t want to start things up again, is it?” Molly seethed, stomping towards Faye and giving her a push. “You’d traded me in for the older, saggier model!”
Well, Jesus Christ.
“Hey, that’s not fair. You broke up with me, remember? We barely even dated. This is completely different.”
“Oh, is it? Do tell me.” Molly’s eyes widened as she glanced between them, looking like a deranged tarsier. “Which one is it? Is it nothing or is it something completely different?”
“It’s nothing. Faye just kissed me, and I…I just got carried away. It’s nothing. It’s…” As the words left her mouth, she felt the change in Faye’s body, as though all the energy had drained out of it.
The world started spinning, shifting in a way she couldn’t get back.
“I can’t believe this.” Molly’s jaw tightened.
“Not only have you gone behind my back, but you’re lying straight to my face.
Trying to blame it on her.” She shook her head.
“I should’ve listened to Dad. I never should’ve come on this stupid holiday with you.
You are a selfish bitch, just like he said.
” She pointed a manicured finger at them both.
“And this? It’s sick. Hope you both rot in hell. ”
And she turned and ran, disappearing into the darkness.
A heavy sickness twisted Diana’s gut, and she swallowed, trying to keep the contents down. This is bad. This is really bad.
“I guess it’s good to know where I really stand with you,” Faye said, the sadness in her expression clashing with the upbeat music. A tear spilt down her cheek. “I feel so stupid.”
And then she was gone too.
Diana slowly lowered herself to the ground, trying to steady her breathing, but her whole body trembled.
What had she said? What had she done?
In the blink of an eye, she’d ruined everything. Hooks clawed into her ribs again, her eyes stinging with tears, but she couldn’t move. All she could do was feel it all as the drum from inside the courtyard continued to beat.
It no longer carried the message of a new beginning. It only marked the end.