Page 92 of What Happens in Paradise

After sending Jasmine a text, I pulled on my shorts, put my phone in my pocket, then left my room to go for a run.

It was eight in the morning, so later than I normally ran, but what I had noticed from working with Dudley was that he was not an early riser. So as long as I was in the kitchen by ten, I was sure to be there before he was.

The beach was deserted which was just the way I liked it. As I sprinted along the shore, I took in the sight of the crystal-clear water. It was more translucent than the sea in Spain and I loved it. If I had time this afternoon, I would go for a swim.

As I ran, I tried to clear my mind of the frustration I felt about the whole situation with Jasmine. It all seemed so unfair. We had such a strong connection. Chemistry like that should not be ignored. I needed to find a way that we could be together. Hopefully, that was something we could discuss if she agreed to meet me tomorrow.

My phone rang and my heart instantly expanded, hoping that it was her calling after reading my text. But when I pulled it out of my pocket and glanced at the screen, I saw it was Lola.

‘Hola,’ I answered reluctantly. I still had not called since the weekend, choosing only to respond with texts.

‘He speaks!’ she said sarcastically. ‘Are you avoiding me?’

‘Why would I be avoiding you?’ I said, trying to keep my voice level.

There was silence and when I looked down on the screen, she had sent a request to switch to a video call.

This was not good, but I had to accept.

‘Wow. Beautiful!’

‘Gracias,’ I grinned, cheekily.

‘I’m not talking about you! I’m talking about the beach.’

‘I know!’ I laughed, feeling more relaxed.

‘So? Why haven’t you called?’

Was I just saying I felt more relaxed? My shoulders tightened.

‘Like I said in my messages, I have been very busy. The chef and the management are back at the hotel now so I am working night and day.’

‘But I called you at the weekend.Beforethey came back. When you had time off…’ She raised her eyebrow with suspicion.

‘I was out.’ My gaze dropped to the sand. I was not good at hiding things. I always liked to speak the truth.

‘There’s something you’re not telling me.’

I dragged my hand over my face. I would have to tell Lola sooner or later, so there was no point in delaying the inevitable.

‘I slept with Jasmine.’

‘Ale!’ Lola shouted. ‘You promised you wouldn’t!’

‘I could not stop it.’ I shrugged.

‘But what about your career?’

‘Everything is fine. We were careful. We were away from the hotel – on the other side of the island. No one saw us. And you will be happy to know that we have not seen each other since then.’

My chest tensed. I really hoped I could see her tomorrow.

‘Good. You may have got away with it at the weekend, but you’d be an even bigger idiot to risk doing it again. Especially so close to when you’re going back to Spain. Just keep your head down and focus.’

‘That I can definitely do…’ I smirked mischievously. Perhaps now was not a good time to joke, but I could not resist.

‘Get your mind out of the gutter! I didn’t mean likethat.Keep your head downis an English saying for avoiding trouble. Keep your head away from between Jasmine’s legs!’

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