Beautiful. Addictive.
‘‘She doesn’t know, does she?’’ I look at her seriously.
‘‘Shush,’’ Vi hisses, glances over her shoulder. ‘‘No. No, she doesn’t know, and I don’t want her to. Not yet. I want her to enjoy this summer. I want to watch her grow.’’
‘‘And that’s why you hired me to work in your garden this summer,’’ I suss out.
‘‘No, Alec,’’ she says softly. ‘‘I hired you to work in my garden because you needed an outlet for your grief besides alienating every damn female between the ages of sixteen and twenty two. Your relationship with Lexy?’’ Her eyes twinkle again. ‘‘That’s a bonus.’’
‘‘I’m sure,’’ I mumble, picking the hammer back up. ‘‘I don’t know how I’m supposed to keep it to myself.’’
‘‘Ask no questions and I’ll tell you no lies. She doesn’t ask, you don’t tell. Simple as.’’
CHAPTER SIX
ALEXIS
Alec ends up staying for dinner, and it’s awkward to say the least. Grammy spends the whole time gazing at us both with her twinkly eyes, Dad discusses the latest Man U score and Mum looks at me with sympathy.
Me? I spend the whole time looking at the table and wishing I could disappear into the corner where my Grandmother-come-cupid can’t find me.
‘‘What are you doing tomorrow?’’ Alec asks me.
‘‘Jen said something about going to Croyde.’’ I shrug.
‘‘Come earlier. I’ll teach you to surf.’’ He smiles his charming smile.
‘‘Oh, Lexy, that’s a wonderful idea!’’ Grammy claps her hands.
Mum rolls her eyes.
‘‘I don’t know...’’ I bite my lip. Alec’s eyes flick to my lip and I release it.
‘‘Come on. It’ll be fun!’’
‘‘I think it would be fun, Lexy,’’ Dad interjects. ‘‘You used to love body boarding when you were little. You’re too much of a city girl, it’ll do you some good to get your hair wet.’’ He winks at Grammy.
Great. Now they’re a team.
I look at Mum for support and she shrugs helplessly.
‘‘It’s your choice, love.’’ She gives me a small smile.
I look at Alec. ‘‘I’ll go earlier with you, but I’m not surfing.’’
He sighs dramatically. ‘‘I suppose that’ll be okay.’’
I shoot him a playful glare and he half-smiles at me.
Is it wrong that one dimple is way sexier than two?
~
‘I hate you, but I love you, I can’t stop thinking of you. I don’t know what to do, I’m stuck on you....’
‘‘Shut up, Stacey Orrico, what do you know?’’ I mutter and shut off iTunes.
Alec’s 4x4 pulls up outside the little cottage and I call a goodbye to my family. When I turn around he’s in front of me.
‘‘I hope there’s a wetsuit in that bag.’’ He takes it from me.
I raise my eyebrows at him. ‘‘I told you, I’m not surfing. I’ll sit and look pretty while you do all the hard work.’’
‘‘I’m sure you will, but you are getting on a board today,’’ he insists.
‘‘I’m not a surfing kinda girl.’’
I’m vaguely aware of the fact I’ve barely stepped off the doorstep and my family can probably hear every word. Knowing Grammy, she’s got her nose pressed up against the window and a glass to the wall.
Enjoy the show, Gram, I think.
‘‘Oh, no. I thought it over, if you’re coming with me, you’re surfing,’’ Alec insists.
‘‘Then I’ve thought it over.’’ I grab my bag. ‘‘I’m not going with you.’’
I turn around and put my hand on the door handle.
‘‘Wow,’’ he breathes out and I know he’s shaking his head.
‘‘What?’’ I glance at him over my shoulder.
‘‘You really are a city girl, aren’t you?’’
‘‘What?’’
‘‘Have you ever seen the world outside London?’’
I snort. ‘‘Of course I have, Alec.’’ I gesture around me. ‘‘I’m looking it at right now.’’
‘‘But have you really seen it? Have you ever really taken the time to look at anything besides skyscrapers, the
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