Page 7 of The Secret We Keep
I look down at my hands, which are once again on my lap. “Okay. So I spent most of my time reading and sleeping. I rested. That’s what people do on holiday.” I leave out the part where, even though I lay under the sun, I never felt fully relaxed. I didn’t come home with a glowing tan that people were jealous of. It cost my parents a lot of money, but it doesn’t feel like it was worth it.
Holly’s hand hits the table with force, making me jump. “No.Oldpeople go on holiday and read and sleep.Youngpeople go and shag hot Spanish guys and their brothers with absolutely no care in the world.”
I can’t stop the snort that leaves me. “Says who?”
She nods rather proudly. “Says me.”
“And when was the last time you shagged a hot Spanish guy? Or anybody for that matter?”
Holly turns in her seat again so she’s facing me. “I don’t share details.”
I scoff, mirroring her position. “Since when? Because I certainly didn’t hear you holding back on details when you decided to tell me all about your kinky night with Callum West.”
Her cheeks blush, but she waggles her finger in front of me, all angsty. “Callum West was the best night of my life.”
“Speak of the devil.”
Holly looks like she’s seen a ghost. “Where?” She ducks to try and hide herself at the same time that a burst of laughter roars out from me.
“Gotcha.”
She whips her head up, and a few people turn to look at us. “You cow. Don’t do that! That’s like me saying Rory Lane walked in.” She gives me a nudge, still laughing.
But she’s wrong. Unlike Holly, who lost her virginity to someone she actually liked, I almost recklessly gave mine to a guy I despise.
I never told anyone why.
Covering my mouth, I’m caught somewhere between laughing and suddenly feeling pain.
Mrs Tucker looks at me, presumably wondering what’s so funny.
Seriously, people need to lighten up. It’s supposed to be a party. Still, I say, “I think we need to leave.”
Holly straightens out her hair as the door swings open once again.
My breath catches in my throat when we both watch the O’Keefe family casually stride into the hall. All of them possess that quality that makes people stop and stare. Which is what everyone appears to be doing right now.
“No, no. I think my party’s about to get interesting.”
Paddy O’Keefe shakes the hand of Holly’s mother, followed by her father. He’s wearing Levi jeans and white trainers, a navy-blue shirt casually rolled up at the wrists. I catch a glimpse of his gold watch and greedily proceed to drag my eyes up the length of his arms until I’m witnessing him force smiles on his beautifully sculptured face.
I take a breath. Time stands still. And my heart remembers exactly where it belongs. Okay, so maybe he could pass as He-man now, even with his darker hair. Of course, I can’t tell if he’s actually housing a body full of muscles, but he sure looks more defined and mature since the last time I saw him.
Saying that, he doesn’t want to be here. I can tell by the way his lips purse and the telling pull on the back of his neck.
When I see Fiona, I give her a wave, also spotting my parents making their way over to say hello to her family.
She waves back, and my heart skips a little beat when she hits Paddy on the arm and starts heading my way.
He looks up as Holly’s father continues talking to him, but the intermittent nods of his head slow when our eyes lock.
I haven’t seen him in three years. He still has that glowing look in his eyes, though. It never falters, even when they narrow quickly, making me swallow the thick lump in my throat.
“I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’m desperate. Say hi to Fi for me.”
“Okay,” I reply hoarsely to Holly, as she stands and walks away. I notice Paddy still looking my way, but his attention is pulled back to Holly’s father.
Fi makes it to our table. “Hi.” Her voice is solemn, which is unlike her.
