Page 65 of Girls Just Want to Have Sun

‘Of course.’

Relief floods through me as I gaze gratefully up at him. He surprises me by reaching over to bring me into one of his reassuring hugs.

‘It’s okay. We’ll get it sorted.’

It’s just what I need. I melt against him, giving myself over to the moment, allowing myself to feel safe in his arms, as though the cares and worries have all just faded away for a second. Unfortunately, it has the feel of a ‘take care then’ type of hug.

‘Stay here,’ he says. He signals one of the security men over. They speak in rapid Spanish. ‘Where does Tash think the phone is?’ he asks me.

‘One of the Portaloos.’ I shrug apologetically. ‘And I don’t know which one. It’s an iPhone with a pink glittery cover with a unicorn on but instead of a horn it’s a… man’s thingy.’

Christ.

Matteo is not fazed in the slightest. Almost as though he’d expect nothing less.

‘So, that’s the phone and set list sorted. Next on the list is the stage. I can show you that myself and then there’s just the Dollz to round up.’

He’s so masterful and unflappable. I can’t tear my eyes away from him.

‘I left some of the Dollz in the drinks zone,’ I explain as I back away from him and his terribly kissable lips. ‘I’ll start my search there.’ I feel an invisible force pulling me towards him againeven though he has basically friend-zoned me and we are in this tent where he conducts his important music-mogul business, and his scary business partner is hovering nearby throwing us daggers. I feel her beady eyes boring holes into my back. I’d hate to put his reputation in jeopardy.

Aware of the attention we seem to be drawing to ourselves from Alex and the crew, Matteo and I wait to see if the phone has been located in a strained silence until a woman – who would be drop-dead gorgeous, wouldn’t she? – comes over and hands me Tash’s phone. Matteo thanks her and she takes an age dragging her eyes away from him.

‘Well, she seems nice,’ I say jovially, trying to disguise the fact that I am embarrassed beyond belief to be caught yet again so unprepared. ‘That was quick.’

‘It had been handed in to lost property already,’ he says, pointing to a table laden with boxes piled high with phones, wallets, shoes and bags.

‘Oh,’ I say. ‘Good, good.’Why had I not thought of that?‘I’ll let the others know we’ve found it.’ My phone pings in reply.

‘Are they on their way over?’

I show him the photo I’ve just received of Tash riding a camel with Sister Kevin. ‘Not exactly.’

Matteo shakes his head, laughing. ‘I know where that is. It’s the drinks zone.’ He turns, distracted as Alex approaches him and yanks his arm. She glares rudely at me before dragging him away.

‘Come on, Matteo, honey. Leave her. We don’t want to be late for the main stage, do we?’

He glances back at me over his shoulder. I’m sure he wanted to say something but is denied the chance. They hurry away and while I can’t hear them, they look like they are arguing because she is waving her hands angrily about. My mood instantly plummets. Liberty must have been right. This is all soexcruciatingly humiliating. I feel a wave of disappointment flood over me. Matteo obviously has enough drama to deal with. No wonder he wasn’t interested in me throwing myself at him.

I slip away from the tent and hurry back to the drinks zone. I spot the line of camels up ahead. The rest of the Dollz have also decided to prepare for their set by riding camels. I race over to Tash, who is busy snogging the face off Sister Kevin, and yell up to them.

‘Tash! I found your phone!’

Tash totally ignores me and my triumphant return and carries on licking Sister Kevin’s beard. The Dollz are giggling away and I feel an instant pang of envy at their carefree attitudes and ability to enjoy life. I hear my name being called and see Matteo approaching.

‘Sorry about that earlier, with Alex. She can be a bit rude,’ he says, looking at me with those concerned, kind eyes. ‘Are you ready to go on stage?’

I bite my lip nervously. ‘Yeah. I just need the Dollz to stop dicking about on the camels.’ I fan at my face. ‘We’re going to be late if we don’t make a move.’

While it’s so hot I could fry an egg on my stomach, it’s Matteo that has me all flustered. I don’t want him to see me as some lovesick puppy. One of those groupies that Alex accused me of being.

‘Are you okay?’ he asks, lowering his voice.

‘No,’ I say, wiping a film of sweat from my brow. How can I explain that he is so insanely gorgeous that he is making me physically sweat? ‘It’s just so hot in this suit.’

His eyes travel the length of my body.

Less material went into making this suit than there is in a baby’s sock.

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