Page 80 of Taking the Heat

Then I saw him around the bend. Aanya was squealing with delight, pulling him along by his hand, but she fell, dunking under the violet surface. Chris plucked her up gallantly and flung her across his back. She gripped him tightly with her arms and legs, pressing her face to his shoulder, a happy, indigo, Indian girl.

Tearing my eyes away, I said, ‘Yes, that’s much better, thanks Henry.’

Sloshing around the cove, I let myself embrace the silliness of the situation, finding myself giggling and almost enjoying the feeling of the jelly sliding over my lower limbs. Working together, we managed to locate a key each, and were rewarded with two envelopes after the game was over. Clutching mine in sticky purple fingers, I thanked Henry.

‘I couldn’t have done this without you,’ I said truthfully. ‘God, I need a shower desperately.’

Henry’s pale skin was stained a wretched blackcurrant hue. ‘You’re not wrong; I feel like a Ribena berry! Can I walk you home?’

I’d been planning on trying to speak to Jen, but her fathomless eyes seared at me with hatred from the other side of the beach. Chris and Aanya were still chatting and towelling off. Everyone else was busy or gone.

‘I’d like that.’

On the walkway, Henry said haltingly, ‘Tara, I have to say again … I’m sorry for all the trouble my proposal has cost you.’

‘It was a sweet offer, Henry. I’m the one who’s sorry; I’ve barely seen you for the last week or so. I haven’t even thanked you properly for looking after me during the cyclone. Tell me, how are you doing?’

‘It’s been … quite intense, really; that’s the best way I can describe it.’ He blushed, the colour evident even through his stained skin. ‘I’ve … well, I’ve been seeing someone. And it’s been eye-opening and infuriating and spectacular and stressful and mind-blowing and exhausting, all at once.’

‘Sounds like my week, too.’ I shook my head, thinking of everything Chris and I had put each other through. ‘Who is she?’

‘Um … I’d rather not say, if that’s alright.’

‘Sure,’ I said, trying not to feel slighted.

‘But it is wonderful to be speaking with you again. It always feels very easy between us, don’t you think?’

I smiled warmly. ‘It really is.’ Henry had never sent me off into a haze of infatuation the way Chris did, true, but if I’d never met Chris, I would have fallen for Henry without a second thought. He was kind and sexy and cultured and honourable. What was there not to like?

‘I still think we’d work well together, Tara. Would you consider spending some time with me over the last few days here?’

‘What about your other girl?’ I said as we stopped by my door.

Henry stroked his chin. ‘Well, she’s always been quite free with her affections. She’s been very clear about the fact that she doesn’t want to be tied to just one person. I’ve been trying to stop myself from becoming too attached, considering her… proclivities. I can’t see her being too offended. Besides, I’m not asking you to marry me, or even s-sleep with me,’ he stumbled over the word, still shy. ‘Just spend some time with me.’

With my heart simultaneously heavy and happy, I answered. ‘Sure.’

Inside the privacy of my room, I opened my envelope, praying the name on the paper would start with a D.

Toshi

‘Crap on a stick!’ I yelled to the sky. At least I knew Clara wouldn’t be out for my blood.

So, it’s not Loris and it’s not Toshi …That left eight guys I could potentially be having sex with: six of which I could bear, one who I wished for and one who would sully my soul forever.

***

Transcript of Tara M’s video diary: Day 19

Knowing that I wasn’t going to have to sleep with the guy made my smile much wider when I opened the door to him this morning.

‘Toshi! Good to see you, mate!’

‘And you, Tara.’ He bowed his head slightly at me, his jet black hair falling forward over his face slightly. ‘Clara and I missed you last night at the beach party.’

‘She’s not mad at me too?’

‘No. She said to tell you …’ he coughed, apparently uncomfortable, ‘…fuck the haters, you are my bitch.I think it’s meant to be positive.’

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