Page 122 of You + Me – Against the World

Suddenly, Tim comes and sits next to me. “Alma, are you sure about this?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Arcadi. Is he really the one you want?”

“Tim, have you been drinking?”

“Maybe a little, but that doesn’t change anything. We got along well, didn’t we?”

“I don’t think we should be having this conversation.”

“Answer me. Were we good together or not?”

“No, I don’t think I’m the girl for you. And vice versa.”

“You’re wrong, Alma. Spending this week with you has reminded me of all the good memories. I was really in love with you. And you loved me, too. I remember it really well. Don’t try to tell me you didn’t.”

“Sometimes, we think we feel things—”

“We could feel them again!” he cuts in, placing his hand on my knee.

“Tim, you really should stop, right now.”

“Come on, just give us another chance.”

He brings his face closer to mine, then grabs my chin.

“Didn’t you hear what she said? Let go of her, Wallace! And get up. I’m not the kind of person who hits a guy when he’s down,” growls Vadim, who I hadn’t seen appear.

“You want to fight me for her, Arcadi?” Tim slurs, struggling to his feet.

“No, you can barely stand, you jackass! And Alma has already made her choice. Go to bed, man. It’ll be better for everyone.”

Basile steps in and leads Tim away, the basketball captain’s fists flailing wildly like a puppet with its strings cut.

Vadim pulls me into his arms and guides me up to a small dune we haven’t explored yet, a lantern in his hand. When we reach the top, he stands back and lets me admire the sight: “You + Me” spelled out in huge letters on the white sand, using pieces of driftwood and a few dark branches. It takes my breath away, and an irrepressible smile stretches across my face.

“See what you’ve done to me? Eco-friendly AND romantic,” Vadim murmurs in my ear. “Though I did have some help from Clémentine.”

“So, that’s what you two were plotting?” I ask, amazed.

“Your friend’s really smart. She managed to convince the rangers to forget about the rules for a little while and let us give this island a little love, as a parting gift. She’s a keeper, that one.”

“Noted! But you’re the one I want to keep for the rest of my life, Vadim Arcadi.”

“Also noted.”

He smiles at me, and I melt, tilting my head back and letting him kiss me until I’m dizzy.

I turn around to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Vadim, I have a confession to make. It’s something I’ve never told you before…”

“What?” He frowns, and his striking, gray eyes darken.

“Do you promise it won’t change anything between us?”

“What’s wrong?”

“You’ll never believe me, but… I’m not even cold!”