Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
CALLA
“He’s still looking this way,” Angie says from the corner of her mouth.
“Stop staring,” I whisper. I don’t know why because, of course, he can’t hear me from here, but I’m trying to act casual.
I lay back on my lounger, push my sunglasses back against the bridge of my nose and take in the sights and sounds of my hometown.
We are so lucky as this part of the English coast is going through a scorching summer and I love being home to enjoy it.
I watch as families chat on the beach, while their kids build sandcastles.
I listen while the gentle gush of the tide washes against the shore and the sound of seagulls squawking above as they ride the gentle sea breeze, blends into the atmosphere.
The locals are out in force today, but the number of people around is nothing compared to the amount who will arrive for the festival.
The Braebeach annual music weekend, or Brae Fest as it’s known locally, is the finale of our summer.
It causes an influx of people into the area and turns the whole place into a party town. It’s my favourite time of the year.
“I think someone has an admirer,” Angie’s voice sings, knocking me out of my thoughts.
“Don’t be daft,” I brush off, but her gleeful, all-knowing smile, with a hint of ‘I call bullshit’ is difficult to ignore. To be honest, it’s no accident we set up our loungers here. I had an inkling Ash would be at this spot; close to the place I caught my first glance of him in years.
Only a few moments ago, he was singing his heart out and entertaining the crowds. My plan was to relax and watch his stunning performance, but with my eagle-eyed pal around, it isn’t going to work.
I decide to use my book as a decoy and prop it up in front of me to hide behind, but I sense Angie is still staring my way. Turning another page while ignoring her eyes boring into me, I make a mental note to re-read from page fifty-two. She’s ruining my concentration.
“I know you’re ignoring me, Cal, even though I’m right.”
“Whatever’s going through your mind—stop it,” I say, flicking over another page. “He was talking to some woman earlier; probably his girlfriend.”
“See! You have noticed him.”
I sigh, giving in to Angie’s persistence, carefully placing the book on my lap. “How can I not notice when he looks… well, like that.”
“Why didn’t you just say so?”
“I don’t know. Now isn’t the best time to start anything new. I’m only back for the summer and this is our last year of uni. I should focus on my finals, not men.”
“Drop the crap. What’s the real reason.”
Bugger, she knows me so well. “Honestly? I’m sure I’ve closed up down there, it’s been so long.”
“My thoughts exactly, which is why you should give him some encouragement.” she giggles. “Come on, Cal. You’ve always fancied him, you know you have,” she says, a hint of excitement in her tone.
“But what if he doesn’t feel the same? Why didn’t he ask me out at the hospital or when we were back at mine? There was enough opportunity.”
“Play the game, Cal. Do you think he’d stay with you all that time if he wasn’t interested?”
I bite my lip in worry. “I just don’t want to look like an idiot.”
“Trust me, he’s been trying to catch your eye since we pitched up here. In fact, he’s doing it right now! I swear to God—”
“Will you just stop.” I laugh, removing my glasses altogether while reaching over and playfully slapping her arm.
Unintentionally, I glance Ash’s way just as he does the same.
His magnetic smile and piercing blue eyes pull me towards him.
“Fuck,” I smile with a whisper under my breath.
Would it be so wrong to enjoy a summer fling?
It could be what I need to relieve a little post-third year stress.
I look away, casually scanning over the pebbled sand littered with bodies.
My head slumps backwards on my red and white sun lounger and once I’ve put my sunglasses back on, I dive back to page fifty-two of my Adele Parks novel.
It’s possibly a safer option than the boy sending good shivers over my skin.
“Oh my God, he’s coming over,” Angie flaps. Grabbing her magazine, she casually flicks through the glossy pages while not noticing it’s upside down.
“Oh shit.” Staring into my book, I’m once again, unable to process the words.
My eyes are dry from staring at the page in panic, and as I sink lower into my seat, my paperback covers half my face.
There’s no hiding place as his body casts a shadow over mine.
Clearing his throat, he makes his presence known, as if I’m not already aware he is there when I peek over the spine of my book.
My stomach flips into oblivion, just with the anticipation of seeing his gorgeous face close up.
His hand shields his beautiful blues from the blinding sun. “Hey,” he says softly, flicking his chin in greeting. “How are you, Calla? I meant to call round and see you, but there’s been a lot of stuff happening.”
“I’m okay, thanks, Ash. This is a nice surprise.”
Angie’s eyes are burning a hole in my head, I know it, but ignore her, playing it cool.
“I was just doing my usual gig.” He signals over his shoulder then turns to Angie next. “Hey, Angie, how are you? Long-time, no see.”
“Too long,” Angie grins. “What is it? Five years? I can’t remember when we left school. Uni is cleaning out my brain,” she laughs.
“Something like that,” he says with a smile to melt any heart.
“I hear you had a run-in with our girl here a few days ago.” She cocks her head toward me.
“Just helping an old friend out.” He glances back, winking my way and setting my knickers on fire. “How is the head by the way Calla? Are you still feeling okay?”
“So much better thanks.” I dab the bruise to my head with my finger and hiss when it stings. “It’s still a little sore,” I say, looking at my fingers. “Thanks for everything you did. Have I said that already?”
As if his mouth couldn’t look any sexier, he rewards me with his smile. “No problem and yes, you did at least ten times.”
Somewhere deep inside my memory, his cute dimples trigger a flashback to an altogether younger version of the boy standing in front of me. From the moment I spotted him in school, Ashton played a part in the fabric of my life. I’ve always had a thing for him.
I gaze up to take in his sun-kissed skin, dirty blonde short hair, and incredibly kissable lips.
The memory I have of a paler, skinny boy with much lighter, floppy hair and a smaller version of the over six-footer in front of me, is definitely out of date.
Back then, I thought he was the best-looking boy in school. My mind hasn’t changed a bit.
Angie is wide-eyed, waiting for either of us to make some kind of move, so I grab the bull by the horns.
“Come sit with us,” I gesture to Ashton, patting the lounger.
He takes a seat beside me, brushing my thigh with the material of his shorts.
“I was wondering what you were up to,” I explain, hoping Angie won’t let me down by telling him we’ve been watching and listening for the last hour, but then again, this is my best friend.
Angie tilts her head to the side, eyeing him up and down. “Nice set by the way. You had the crowd eating out of your hands.”
“You were listening?” He glances back to me briefly, with the broadest beaming smile on his handsome face.
“What I mean is, we didn’t realise it was you busking… until now. Right, Cal?” Angie says tongue in cheek.
“Yes Ange, that’s exactly what we thought.” I press my lips together to keep my giggle inside. Her eyes have the devil in them today, and they’re locked on Ash.
“You know, it’s a coincidence you’re here, actually. Cal hasn’t stopped going on about how bloody incredible you were at the hospital the other day. She would have been lost without you, according to her.” She glances towards me with such a smirk across her face.
“Is that right,” Ash says, his smile now glowing.
I can’t help myself, “Thanks a bunch, Ange. Shame there’s no treatment for you being a continual pain in my arse,” I smile while Angie sticks her tongue out at me.
“But thanks Ash,” I turn my attention back to him.
“You kept me sane when I bet there were a million different places you wanted to be.”
“Well, I didn’t want to be rude but—” his infectious laugh lights up his entire face. I bump into his side, “Hey!” I giggle, and he glances at me, his killer grin in place.
He stares at his clasped hands in front of him. “You know you haven’t changed a bit since school Calla,” then he glances back at me, his head tips to the side. “You look exactly the same, you know.”
My face blushes. “Shit, I hope not,” I laugh. “I don’t miss my teenage acne and bad hair.”
“I don’t remember anything bad,” he smiles.
“Hmm, you got some rose-coloured glasses there?”
His eyes lock with mine. “Definitely not.”
Holy crap, the tone of his voice does all kinds of things to my girl parts. Did sparks just fly?
“You don’t look the same, or rather, your face hasn’t changed so much, it’s just the rest of you. I’m not sure I’d be confident enough to pick you out of a line-up.”
He huffs out a half-smile. “What can I say, I’ve grown a lot.”
In all the right places too, I think to myself while I glance at Angie. She’s smirking so is probably thinking exactly the same thing and I’m certain Ash knows something is going on.
This incredible side smile appears on his face. “I’m glad you’re here, I’ve wanted to see you for a couple for days.”
“Yeah?” I mirror his head tipping while my fingertips brush my bottom lip. I’ve gone back in time, back to the beginning of secondary school and not the twenty-one-year-old I should be.
“Yeah. I thought we could go for a drink, catch up on old times.”
“I'd love to.” I smile back, not noticing we've locked eyes again.
Angie doesn't know where to look. “Ahem,” interrupts our admiring fest.
“Sorry Ange,” he huffs out.