Chapter 23
NOAH
Fuck.
What the hell just almost happened?
I couldn’t believe I was about to kiss Ali.
As we followed Petros to the main building, I tried to wrap my head around the last few minutes, which were all a blur.
One minute I was walking Ali to her room. Then she was thanking me for being a good friend and the next our faces were inching closer, about to kiss.
That was what happened, right? Pretty sure I hadn’t imagined it.
I was confused though. She swore we were friends. But friends don’t look at each other like that.
Her eyes were fixed on mine, her lips were parted and I swear that she was the one that stepped forward first like she wanted to kiss me.
My brain was more tangled than a truckload of computer cables.
Part of me was gutted that Petros had interrupted us because I was desperate to know whether if I kissed Ali, she would’ve kissed me back.
But the other part was thinking maybe it was a good thing that he came when he did. Just like when Sammie interrupted us earlier, it was the universe or whatever trying to stop me from embarrassing myself and making a mistake that would end my friendship with my favourite person in the world.
There was no point turning it over and over in my mind now though. The moment was gone so I’d never know what would’ve happened.
‘This is Kostas, the Love Emperor for the Love Hotel, Santorini,’ Petros said as he led us into an office.
‘Hey,’ I said as I sat in one of the chairs Petros had pulled out for us.
‘Hi,’ Ali added.
‘Nice to meet you both,’ Kostas said. ‘Although I am sorry it is under these circumstances. So, Petros and Sammie have explained the unfortunate incident on the boat. We would like to assure you that the parties involved have been removed from the premises. We do not condone such behaviour and we are sincerely sorry about any pain and inconvenience it has caused.’
‘Thanks,’ Ali said.
‘Of course we will offer you a full refund,’ Kostas continued. ‘We know it will not compensate you for the distress, but we will do our best to make it up to you.’
‘I appreciate that,’ I said, solemnly. From the corner of my eye I saw Ali’s mouth twitch. Although I knew she would’ve preferred to have found her Mr Right, hearing that she’d be getting her money back was sure to soften the blow.
‘Sadly, it is too late to find an alternative match for you before the wedding, but I hope you will stay and attend,’ Petros added.
‘Thanks for the refund and yeah, I understand, but I’ll still stay. I wouldn’t miss Stella and Max’s wedding for the world!’ Ali smiled.
‘Excellent.’ He breathed a sigh of relief. ‘And I understand that the two of you are friends. Best friends. This is correct?’ Kostas asked.
‘Yeah,’ I said quickly, although to be honest, I wasn’t sure what the hell was going on with our friendship. ‘We’ve known each other since we were kids.’
‘This is good news!’ Kostas beamed. ‘So you will be able to continue to go on the excursions together?’
‘Yeah! I’m up for it if you are?’ Ali turned to face me.
‘Good to know,’ I teased. Maybe it was too soon given what had just happened outside of her room, but I couldn’t help myself.
‘Behave!’ She poked my bicep.
‘What?’ I flashed an innocent smile.
‘You know what!’ Ali rolled her eyes.
Petros cleared his throat and we both snapped our heads forward to face him. When I did, both he and Kostas were smiling, which was strange.
‘What Ali meant to say was, yeah, that’s cool. We’ll go on the excursions.’
‘Good,’ Petros replied. ‘We have a very exciting one tomorrow, which will require you to pack an overnight bag. The briefing will be at 8 a.m. so unless you have something else you would like to discuss, I will let you get some rest.’
An overnight bag? I was intrigued.
So tomorrow, Ali and I would be heading off on the excursion together. No Adonis, no Kayleigh.
I wondered where we’d be going. But what I was most interested to discover was how the day would unfold.
Would Ali address that almost kiss between us or pretend like it hadn’t even happened?