Page 95 of Love on the Island

He gives Cam a sympathetic look. ‘Always, mate. Always finishing each other’s sentences.’

‘Speaking of which,’ Lois turns suddenly towards me. ‘Now that you’ve got all those interviews to do and you’ve been offered a sponsorship deal for those children’s charities, you’re not going to be able to fly back with us, are you? How long will you have to stay here for?’

‘Well,’ I say, feeling about to burst with joy. ‘I’ve decided after the TV and magazine interviews and photoshoots, that I am obliged to do, thanks to you not reading the small print, to go travelling for a few weeks. Mexico, island hopping round the Caribbean and then over to Miami. Then there’s a few wrap parties to attend and someLove on the Islandfunctions for sponsors. And after that, I’m meeting Cam in San Francisco.’

Cam takes my hand across the table. He faces Lois and Tyrone, ‘I’ve asked Libby to stay with me in the States for a while.’

‘Then we’ll see what happens after that,’ I say, my cheeks colouring.

Lois takes my other hand, tears springing to her eyes. ‘I’m so happy for you, sis. It sounds exactly what you need right now.’ A smile spreads across her face. ‘I’ll let you have her for a few months, okay?’ Lois looks at Cam. ‘Then I want her back. Deal?’

Cam smiles softly at me.

I am taken. My heart belongs to him and his to mine.

Our future is an exciting adventure about to happen.

‘Oh, I almost forgot,’ I say. ‘Cam, what happened with the results on the show today?’

Cam takes a swig of spicy beer and wipes his lips with his napkin. ‘The public voted unanimously for a recoupling and chose those two couples to stay in the final.’

He’s smiling broadly.

‘It’s Mimi and Carlton and Amber and Giovanni, isn’t it?’ I say hopefully.

Cam nods. ‘One of the couples will definitely go on to win it next week.’

I’m so pleased for them. And while I didn’t win the prize money myself, I feel that I came out of the villa an absolute winner, with a prize beyond my wildest dreams.

After dinner, Cam and I go for a barefoot moonlit walk along the beach. The sand is like soft powder beneath our toes. The sea laps gently beside us. I’m in a short floaty dress and Cam has rolled up his trouser legs. His hand feels firm in mine, like he never wants to let go.

He gives me an adoring look. ‘I’m going to miss you while you’re gone. I’m falling in love with you, Libby. I’m crazy about you.’

‘I fell in love with you the moment I heard your dreamy Canadian accent,’ I say, swooning at how lucky I am.

He frowns playfully. ‘You thought it was American.’

‘I beg to differ.’

Although he is completely in the right.

He leans towards me. ‘I fell in love with you the moment you said that wheat bloats you.’

‘Well, I fell more in love with you when you confessed to being a failed vegan.’

To be fair, he hasn’t given me much to work with as far as faults go.

‘And I with you,’ he says trying not to laugh. ‘When I heard you…’

‘If you say, “up the bum” I’m leaving.’

He starts sniggering, ‘Honestly, there’s so much to choose from but I’ll go with when I heard you telling Chap 3 to choke on her own vomit. We’ve all been wanting to say that to her for months. But none of us had the guts.’

He stops laughing to give me a serious look. ‘Libby, you are my ideal woman. I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re funny, you’re smart, you’re adventurous and spontaneous…’

‘What did I say about showering me with compliments?’ I say in a teasing voice. All we are missing is fireworks, but at that moment we see a shooting star streak across the night sky.

‘Make a wish,’ he says.

‘Way ahead of you,’ I say, pulling him down to the warm sand.

‘You’re giving me that look,’ he says hoarsely, the energy between us becoming instantly charged. A white-hot surge of electricity shoots through me as I place my hand on his chest. His heart is racing too.

‘Kiss me.’

He doesn’t need asking twice.

The End.

---