Chapter 14
ALICIA
After checking myself in my bedroom mirror, I slid on my sandals and headed to the bar.
It was Monday evening and Sammie had just texted to let me know she’d arrived at the hotel. I was so excited to see her and her timing was perfect as we got back from the daily excursion about an hour ago, so I’d had time to shower and change.
Today we’d gone on a tour of the island in the coach, visiting traditional villages including Pyrgos and an archaeological site in a place called Akrotiri.
I’d enjoyed visiting the villages and the lunch at a restaurant with gorgeous views. Things with Adonis were surprisingly okay.
After the sunset debacle, I thought things might be a little frosty. But on the way back to the hotel last night, true to his word he’d let me have the aisle seat.
Then he’d taken my hand and said, ‘My darling, Alicia, I know that you are sad that we missed the sunset, but I promise I will take you somewhere even more beautiful. We will go somewhere just the two of us and I will make it the most memorable night of your life. I was just trying to find some new clothes so that I could look nice for you.’
When I’d looked in his eyes, they were watering. He seemed so upset.
So desperate to make amends.
Holding a grudge and sulking like a baby wasn’t going to help the situation and I wanted us to get along, so I’d said we should just move on.
I liked the fact that he at least was determined to make it up to me. And I was looking forward to seeing where he’d take me that was even more beautiful.
Adonis had invited me to his room again after dinner, but I politely declined. I must be growing as a person and getting stronger, because I didn’t even feel the urge. All I wanted to do was get back to my room, relax on my terrace and watch the stars.
Today Adonis brought me another flower, which was sweet, and he immediately gave me the aisle seat on both legs of the coach journey.
The conversation was fine. He mainly chatted about how great his workout was that morning and how popular the photos he’d taken in the shops in Oia had been on Instagram and TikTok, before showing me his top ten most popular reels, but at least there weren’t any awkward silences.
I’d also finished completing Sunday’s Love Tasks during the journey. It was easy to report the one thing I’d learnt about Adonis: that he loved shopping (I was tempted to add ‘and himself’ to that statement, but thought that’d be too petty).
My song of the day was ‘Ka-Ching!’ by Shania Twain, but it could’ve easily have been ‘Selfish’ by Justin Timberlake.
As for one thing that I loved? That was a tough one, but again, in the interest of diplomacy, I’d said it was the fact that he’d given me the aisle seat. I left out the part that he’d refused twice before.
I only had a handful of pictures with Adonis in them from Sunday, but I’d taken more earlier this afternoon.
The jury was still out on my song choice and responses for today, but I was sure I’d think of something later.
First, I wanted to see my sister.
As soon as I got to the hotel’s grand terrace, I spotted Sammie and raced over.
‘Hey, sis!’ I threw my arms around her. ‘So good to see you!’
‘You too! Santorini agrees with you. You’re looking good.’
‘Thanks!’
‘So, how’s it going with your match?’ Sammie asked. ‘You happy with him?’
‘Yeah!’ I said quickly. ‘He’s everything I asked for and more!’
My gaze shifted to the floor, then I dragged it up quickly and plastered on my best smile.
Everything I’d said was true. Adonis was good-looking and attentive. And although he’d been late a couple of times, at least he’d turned up, which put him head and shoulders above most of my dates in London.
‘I’m really glad to hear that!’ She smiled. ‘Where is he now? I thought you might bring him to meet your big sis!’
‘What, so you could give him the third degree?’ I raised an eyebrow. ‘Think it’s a bit too soon to warn him off with the “hurt her and I’ll chop your cock off” speech.’
‘As if I’d ever say anything like that!’ She chuckled.
‘He’s at the gym,’ I replied.
Adonis already told me when we returned to the hotel that he planned to go to the gym for a few hours. On the handful of occasions that I’d stepped foot in a gym, I’d barely lasted forty-five minutes, so the fact that he could stay that long was impressive.
‘Oh right.’ Sammie nodded.
‘And you’ll be pleased to know that this is my third night here and I haven’t given up the goods yet either!’ I said smugly.
‘That’s my girl! It’ll be worth it. You’ll see.’
Sammie filled me in on all the wedding prep she had to help out with, then caught me up on how everything was going with work and of course her Romeo.
Just as we were about to order another glass of Santorini Spritz, which the Chief Mixologist had explained was made with that Assyrtiko wine Adonis ordered on the first night, mixed with some liqueur, citrus and herbs, a rich woody scent surrounded me and every atom in my body sprang to life.
‘Sammie!’ A deep voice I instantly recognised as Noah’s boomed. ‘Long time no see!’
‘Noah?’ Sammie’s eyes widened. She frowned and her face contorted in different directions, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
‘That’s me.’ He smiled, flashing his amazingly perfect teeth.
‘I almost didn’t recognise you. My sister didn’t tell me you’d turned into a male model!’ Sammie’s gaze shot to me and she gave me one of her what the fuck? looks.
‘I just got some new clothes and started wearing contact lenses, no big deal.’ He shrugged.
‘Oh, I strongly disagree! If you think your transformation is “no big deal”, you need to take another look in the mirror, sunshine. And if you don’t see a hot stud muffin looking back at you, I suggest you book an appointment at your optician’s pronto and get your eyes tested again, because those contact lenses clearly aren’t strong enough. ’
‘Noted.’ He laughed.
‘Blimey! Your match must’ve done backflips and opened her legs faster than an electric drawbridge when she saw you!’
‘Sammie!’ I scolded.
‘What? It’s true. As I may have mentioned once or twice, I’m happily loved up with the hottest man God created, but even I know a hunk when I see one.’
‘No one says hunk or stud muffin any more.’ I cringed.
‘Not true!’ Sammie countered. ‘Mum said it the other day when she was watching an old romcom. Crap. Does that mean I’m turning into our mother? God help me! Noah, what are the cool kids calling hot guys these days?’
‘Er…’ Noah winced. ‘I have no idea. Maybe you’d need to ask them… Anyway, it was lovely to see you. Thanks again for helping to get me a place here. I’m meeting Kayleigh for dinner, so I’d better go. Bye.’ He flashed me a weak smile.
Sammie watched him leave, then once he was out of earshot, she turned back to me and glared.
‘What the fuck, Ali!?’ She slapped my arm.
‘Ouch!’ I shouted. ‘What’d you do that for?’
‘Because you’re a bloody idiot! Why didn’t you tell me that Noah looked like that?’
‘Like what?’ I feigned innocence.
Sammie raised an eyebrow, then put her hands on her hips.
‘Don’t give me that bollocks! If you try to tell me that you didn’t notice that he’d had a makeover by the gods, I’ll whack you even harder.’
‘What’s with all the violence?’
‘Sorry, of course I wouldn’t hurt my little sis. I just don’t get it? Remind me why you two aren’t together?’
‘Not this again!’ I huffed. ‘I’m not repeating what I’ve already told you a billion times before. I didn’t pay a grand to come to Santorini to date my best friend! If I wanted to, I could’ve stayed in London and done that for free. Which just to clarify, I don’t.’
‘Ah, but that’s the thing about this hotel.
The majority of guests leave with an amazing match who they’d never met before.
But sometimes you fall for someone unexpected.
Stella didn’t think she’d end up with her ex.
I didn’t think I’d end up with my Love Alchemist and Laila didn’t expect to fall for her best friend’s son.
You’re paying for the magic that only exists here.
These hotels have some kind of romantic fairy dust that makes things happen, that wouldn’t in the real world. Even with people you already know.’
‘If you say, so,’ I scoffed.
‘It’s true!’
‘You know what happened the last time I dated a friend.’ I huffed. ‘It was a disaster.’
‘That was years ago!’
‘Doesn’t matter! I’m never doing that again.
And you should give me more credit,’ I added, returning to her earlier point about Noah’s glow-up.
‘Do you honestly think that I’d completely change my mind about Noah just because he now has muscular arms, killer abs, a new haircut and clothes that fit him like they were sewn straight onto his firm body? I’m not that shallow.’
‘Aha!’ she said excitedly. ‘So you admit that he’s hot!’
Shit.
‘I didn’t mean… I didn’t say he was hot,’ I stuttered. ‘I just meant, obviously he looks… handsome.’
‘But you could’ve just said handsome. But instead, you went into great detail about literally every part of his body, which you’d only know if you were ogling him. I’m surprised you didn’t comment on his backside.’
My cheeks heated and I avoided her gaze.
Thank God Sammie wasn’t here to see the way I’d ogled his arse in the restaurant that first night. I’d never have heard the end of it.
‘I was just making an innocent observation. That’s all. I’d say that for you or any of my other friends if their appearance had changed. Doesn’t have to mean anything.’
‘Yeah, yeah, sure,’ she said sarcastically. ‘Keep telling yourself that, sis.’
‘What! It’s the truth.’
‘Uh-huh. You forget I do this for a living now. I know sparks when I see them and there’s more fizz between you two than a New Year’s fireworks display.’
‘There were no sparks!’ I protested. ‘He just came to say hello to you. Then he left to go and see his match, who’s a lingerie model by the way.’
‘And?’
‘And she’s stunning. The most beautiful woman at this resort by a mile.’
‘Er, what about me?’ Sammie folded her arms, then burst out laughing.
‘Obvs, the second most beautiful woman after my sister.’ I grinned.
‘In all seriousness though, you said that you weren’t shallow enough to change your mind about Noah just because he’d had a glow-up. Yet you think that Noah’s shallow enough to like a woman just because she gets photographed in underwear for a living?’
‘He’s a man,’ I said like it was obvious.
No man would ever kick a woman like Kayleigh out of bed.
Surely Sammie realised that if Kayleigh announced that she was available, all she’d have to do is click her fingers and there’d be a queue of people from Santorini to London ready to jump into her knickers.
‘Not all men are the same. Especially not Noah. I’ve been telling you for years that he likes you, but you never listened. Anyway, I’ll get to see whether there’s any sparks for myself tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘I’ll be coming on the excursion with you. Management wants me to explore Santorini. Get a feel for the place.’
‘Great,’ I groaned.
‘Charming!’
‘It’s not that I don’t want you to come, it’s just that I know you’re going to make things awkward.
I’ve been matched with Adonis and Noah’s with Kayleigh.
End of story. You’re always harping on about how amazing the Love Hotel matchmakers are and telling me to trust the process, but now they’ve told me who my perfect match is, you’re trying to go against their wisdom.
I’m sure your bosses wouldn’t be happy about you trying to disrupt things. ’
‘You wouldn’t snitch on your own flesh and blood!’ She gasped.
‘Course not. But I’m just saying, if you come on this excursion tomorrow, you’d better behave yourself, or else…’ I smiled sweetly.
‘Message received loud and clear. I’ll be on my best behaviour. Scout’s honour.’
‘You were never in the Scouts.’
‘Semantics. I promise not to do anything bad,’ Sammie insisted.
It was a shame that I didn’t believe her…