“But I want you,” says Noah, pulling her closer.
The change in tense throws Rachel for a loop. She can deal with nostalgia tangling itself into looking like a missed opportunity. But what she’s not prepared for is the here and now: they’re both married, they’re best friends—and wanting each other isn’t an option.
He tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ears, his fingers gently tracing the line of her jaw. It feels like she’s gone back in time, and is about to make a decision that will change the course of her life. Maybe it is possible to have more than one sliding-doors moment.
“I have never stopped loving you,” he says, leaning in to kiss her cheek, his lips igniting a heat in her skin that runs deep into her veins. His face is still there, so close to hers, and his hand is nestled at the back of her neck, the pulse in his thumb matching her own.
Rachel closes her eyes as she breathes him in, his smell and touch making her feel as if there are a thousand butterflies about to take flight in the pit of her stomach. She could stay like this forever, trapped in a parallel universe where they could be together. But reality is seeping in, through the hairline chink of light that stands between his lips and hers. She has to open her eyes, to separate herself from that life and this, but when she does, she gets a jolt. Standing there watching them, just a few meters away, is Ali.
12
“Noah!” a woman’s voice calls out. “Noah, are you out here?”
Rachel freezes, locking eyes with Ali as Paige’s voice hangs on the night breeze.
“Hello? Is someone there?” she says, getting nearer.
“It’s me,” Ali says, stepping into the light.
“Oh, right,” says Paige. “I’m looking for Noah. Have you seen him?”
Rachel holds her breath and sways, feeling as if she might pass out.
“Erm,” says Ali, drawing it out for what feels like minutes. “No, I don’t think I have.”
“I can’t seem to find him,” says Paige. “Or Rachel.”
Ali looks behind her to where Rachel’s concealed behind an outbuilding. “Ah, that’s because she’s here,” she says.
Rachel’s legs feel as if they might give way.
“Oh,” says Paige, as Rachel walks unsteadily into her line of sight. “What are you doing out here? Is everything all right?” She looks from Rachel to Ali and back again, trying to gauge the situation.
“We’re just having a sneaky puff,” says Ali, putting a finger to her lips. “But don’t tell Jack.”
“You’re smoking?” asks Paige incredulously. Rachel had never smoked in her life and had often berated Jack and Paige if they went halves on a packet of cigarettes when they’d had a drink.
Ali hands her a lit cigarette as if it were something they did all the time.
“Yep,” Rachel says, taking it and putting it up to her mouth. She knows if she inhales, she’ll be in all sorts of trouble, so she tightly closes her lips and hopes that the darkness will work in her favor.
“You haven’t seen Noah, have you?” asks Paige. “I haven’t seen him for a while and after what happened today, I’m a bit worried that I’m going to find him in a heap somewhere.”
Rachel hates herself. For allowing the events of the day to get the better of her. For distrusting her husband. For deceiving Paige. But most of all, she hates herself for giving Ali this power to lord over her.
“I saw him about ten minutes ago and he seemed fine,” says Ali, taking back the cigarette that Rachel is proffering her.
“Oh, great,” says Paige. “Well, once I find him, we’re going to make our way home. I don’t want him exerting himself too much ahead of tomorrow.”
Rachel shudders involuntarily at the well-meaning comment. “I’ll come with you,” she says, eager to get away from Ali and all that she now knows.
“We’re probably all ready to go,” says Ali, dashing Rachel’s plan. “The minivan’s out front, so I’ll say my goodbyes.”
“You okay?” asks Paige as soon as they’re out of earshot of Ali. “How come you’re best friends all of a sudden?”
Rachel forces a smile. “Just trying to keep the peace,” she says, cringing at the irony.
* * *
“Who’s up for a nightcap?” asks Ali as soon as they get back to the villa.
“Not for me,” says Noah as he heads up the stairs. “I’m turning in for the night.”