Our Secret Summer(89)

The back door of the sleek black car opens, and Simone and Annika step out, their eyes wide at the sight of Lita’s house sprawled out behind me. It’s huge, I know. It takes some getting used to.

I hate that I look around them, trying to see into the vehicle. There’s no one else besides the driver.

Cristiano didn’t come.

Disappointed, I look down at the ground, swallowing, blinking, burying my hurt. When I look up again, it’s with a wide smile for my two friends. I wanted to see him, but I’m still so happy they came to see me even though I left Ibiza so suddenly.

“I can’t believe you two are here. How?”

“Oh, simple,” Simone says with a sarcastic flick of her hand. “We were whisked onto the private plane Cristiano arranged for us, and then a car service brought us here from the airport. We didn’t have to lift a finger, did we, Annika?” Without waiting for her reply, she rushes on to say, “You should have seen the food options on the plane. You would have died, though actually… maybe not, seeing as you’re ungodly wealthy. You probably fly private all the time…”

My smile drops as I glance between them, waiting for the accusations and anger.

Annika’s still staring at my grandmother’s house, her blue eyes wide with wonder. When she glances at me, she frowns. “You are. Aren’t you?”

There’s no annoyance in her tone, just curiosity.

“My family is.”

“You’re Isabel De Vere of De Vere Diamonds. That’s who you are. Cristiano told us,” Annika says.

“Yes.” Even knowing apologies will follow, I’m relieved the secret’s out. “And you both have every right to be annoyed with me for keeping it secret.”

“Annoyed?” Simone bursts out laughing as she looks to Annika. “Oh, poor us… finding out our mate is a retail princess.” Her gaze lights up with excitement as she continues, “I bet you know honest-to-god celebrities! I bet you’ve been to fashion week!” She suddenly points past me. “I’m sorry.” She shakes her head like she’s trying to clear her thoughts. “I can’t get over this, this, mansion behind you. Is this truly your grandmother’s house? Her estate? It took us ages to get here from the front gate. I think I even dozed for a bit.”

“She likes her privacy…” is my half-hearted excuse.

Simone cackles. “Only a truly rich person would say something like that! We all like our privacy, Elle. Some of us just have to find it in a grungy studio flat alongside a smelly roommate.”

Oh god. She’s right. I can’t help but laugh.

“Isabel?” my grandmother calls from behind me. “Invite your friends inside. We’ll make some tea.”

I look back at Simone and Annika, brows arched with hope. “Do you want to come in and stay a few days?”

“Stay a few days?” Simone laughs and steps forward to link her arm with mine. “We’d bloody well like to move in!”

That evening, I lie in my bed with Simone and Annika talking late into the night. We’ve popped popcorn and worked our way through most of the sour candy I picked up at the farmers’ market earlier in the week. The window is open and we can hear the soft hum of the crickets and cicadas carried in with a cool breeze.

“You’re sure you can’t go back with us? Maybe we can convince you before we leave,” Simone asks.

They don’t understand that my mind is already made up. “I promised my parents I’d stay here with Lita through August. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

“I hate this. It won’t feel right to go back without you.”

Annika laughs. “Tell her the truth, Simone! Tell her Felix has already moved into the apartment with you! You two have been inseparable.”

Simone glances over at me and winces. “Yes, well, I didn’t see why he shouldn’t if you weren’t going to be there,” she admits. “Though, of course if you came back, I’d give him the boot!”

I smile. “I don’t care. Really.”

“I know it seems fast.”

“Are you in love?”

Simone frowns at the suggestion. “Maybe? I don’t know. He’s just so bloody hot, and he’s proper good in bed.”

Annika claps her hands over her ears. “I don’t want to hear about my brother in bed!”

“Right. Sorry. I’ll cut off with that. But we’re happy, yeah. We’ve even chatted about staying on after the summer ends. I’ve walked past this trendy hair salon a few times and I might try to see if they’re hiring.”

“Simone. Really?”

She seems embarrassed. “Does it seem daft? To jump in like that?”

I smile wistfully. “No. You should.”

Annika shrugs. “Honestly, yeah. I mean, it’s Felix, so it’s gross on every level, and I think you could do ten times better than him, but he does seem ridiculously into you.”

I laugh. “And you, Annika?”

“What?” She reaches into the bag of candy, picking out the one that tastes like sour cherry. “Will I stay after the summer?” When I nod, she sighs and lies back so she can stare up at the ceiling. “Honestly, everything that happened with Ethan made me want to book a ticket home right away, but I’m glad I stayed. I’ll finish the summer at Aura, but then I’m out of there. I miss home. I miss my friends. I also miss my mom’s cooking. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried her fiskefrikadeller.”