Page 37 of Enemies to Lovers

‘I didn’t say that,’ he says plainly.

‘It’s what you meant, though, isn’t it?’ I ask.

Jamie squints at me, faintly shaking his head. ‘I came to make sure you were okay, and that makesmethe bad guy?’ he asks.

And I throw up my hands, which could mean yes, or I don’t know, or more likely why the hell are we even arguing right now?

I sigh and sit down a few feet from him, dangling my legs over the edge. It’s a bit like hanging off the edge of the world.

‘You’re bleeding,’ Jamie says, looking over at me.

‘Yeah,’ I reply, reaching my arm round to try and get a better look. It’s worse than I thought actually, and it’s throbbing. ‘I did it when you scared me,’ I say, ‘and I was trying to get to safety.’

Jamie rolls his eyes and sighs, getting up to come over for a better look.

‘Can you swim back?’ he asks.

‘Yes,’ I say, although I don’t sound very sure. The thought of getting back into that water makes me feel nauseous. The shoreline is in the far distance. I can’tadmit out loud that I’m glad he’s here, but … I’m glad he’s here. I didn’t realise how far I’d come, and now I see it, I feel embarrassed. ‘I mean, how far do you think it is?’ I say.

Jamie shrugs. ‘Half a mile, maybe. Lauriedidtry to warn us about the current.’

I roll my eyes. ‘Okay,Dad,’ I say. ‘I fucked up. So shoot me.’

‘It’s easier to get you back to shore alive,’ he quips. ‘Dead weight is heavier, and all that.’

‘I don’t needcarrying,’ I specify. ‘It’s fine. I’m going to catch my breath and I’ll be right there. You can go. You don’t have to wait. Honestly.’ Obviously I don’t mean this.

Jamie stands up then and suddenly rips off the net part of his shorts, underneath the fabric. ‘Come here,’ he insists, holding one end between his teeth. ‘Wrap it up in this.’

I’m so shocked that I hold my arm out wordlessly and watch him work. He wraps the fabric around my arm three times and then knots it, his mouth perilously close to my skin as he focuses. He’s careful and gentle, and when he’s done, he delicately lifts my arm back down to my side.

‘Thanks,’ I say. ‘Although isn’t it going to get wet and effectively do … nothing? Not to sound ungrateful.’

Jamie laughs. ‘I thought I was being some big, manly hero,’ he says. ‘But yes, I think you’re right. I just wanted to try and help.’

I look at him.

‘Why?’ I ask. The words fall out of my mouth.

I feel like Jamie understands the meaning behind what I’ve actually said because he looks down, as if he’s embarrassed or ashamed. I’ve got so many questions about why he distanced himself from me, but it feels weak to ask. I don’t want him to know how much it hurt. And yet.

‘Because it’s the right thing to do,’ he says, eventually.

I nod. ‘Let’s go back,’ I say, gesturing my head towards the shore. ‘I’m sorry if I made you worry,’ I add.

‘I’m still worried,’ he says. ‘It’s a long way back, you know. Let’s go slow and steady and pace ourselves.’

‘After a break.’

He nods. ‘You want to rest a bit more first?’

I don’t like having to admit to needing it, but if we’re going to go half a mile, I think it would be sensible to rest first. I really regret not having had some of the food Dad brought down, now.

I sit back down again and Jamie does the same.

‘Can’t complain about the view, can we?’ I say. ‘It’s pretty special.’

‘Agreed,’ Jamie nods. ‘I hear you went to a pretty nice waterfall yesterday? You’re really seeing Greece from all angles.’

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