Page 274 of The Heart You Kept

The sun is beating down on us as we lie on sun loungers on the deck of the yacht overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

“Can I offer you a drink?” Harmony asks us. “Any lunch?”

“Umm.” I glance over to Helene and Thomas. “You guys hungry?”

They shrug. “A little.”

“Sashimi?”

“I guess.”

“Can we have some sashimi, a garden salad and rice paper rolls please?”

“Shrimp rice paper rolls or lobster?”

“Guys?”

Thomas and Helene exchange glances. “Whatever is fine.”

“What would you like to drink?” she asks.

“I’ll just have a sparkling water.” I glance over to my gobsmacked friends. “What do you guys want?”

“Whatever is fine,” they reply, too shy to make an order.

“Can we have some Aperol Spritzes too, please.”

“Of course.” She smiles before disappearing.

“How the fuck is this your life?” Thomas shakes his head.

“Honestly.” I shrug. “I don’t even know.”

“Fuck. Please set me up with one of his friends.” Helene lies back down and puts her face up to the sun. “I need this life for myself.”

I giggle and I hear voices down below, I get up and walk to the edge to see Edward fully dressed in his suit, he’s walking out a man, they shake hands as the man leaves. Another Sunday business meeting.

“Edward works very hard for this life.” I watch him walk back inside to prepare for his next meeting, he’s got them back-to-back all day. “He never stops working.”

Thomas closes his eyes to the sun. “At least it pays well.

I hold the phone up so that Edward and I can see my family’s faces. I’ve made a habit of FaceTiming them when he’s here every few days so that they feel like they are getting to know each other too. I know it’s not the same as meeting in person but at this stage it’s all we have to work with. He’s chatted to my sister, my brother and dad a few times and they seem to be getting on like a house on fire. “Alright, Dad, I have to go. I have to get this packing done.”

“Have a great time in the UK, kids,” my dad replies.

Edward smiles and waves. “Bye.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.” I hang up and stare into my wardrobe as I look over my choices. “So what will we be doing all week?”

We’re going to the UK to meet the rest of Edward’s family.

“Not much, just hanging out with my family,” he replies.

“Yeah, but what does your family wear while they—” I air quote the word, “—hang out.”

He smiles as his eyes stay fixed on the screen; he’s lying on my bed with his hands behind his head as he watches television. “I don’t know, whatever.” He keeps looking straight ahead.