AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m never eating so much sugar again,” he complains. I laugh and shake my head. It’s always the same whenever we make s’mores. He overindulges and regrets it afterwards, but he never learns his lesson. “Where are you off to, pretty little dot?”
Malia flushes, and I don’t think it’s from the warmth of the fire. “Reef and I are going to watch a film.”
He brightens. “Oooh, I could watch a movie—”
“In my room,” I interject flatly. His face falls.
“Haven’t you stolen her away enough today already?” he grumbles.
“It was my idea actually,” Malia pipes up.
“Well, why can’t we all watch the film together in the lounge?”
“I want to see the view from Reef’s room.”
“In the dark?” He scowls.
I laugh. “Bho, your jealousy is showing. Check yourself.”
“I’m just saying, I think we should be sharing.”
Even in the firelight I can see Malia turn bright red. Interesting. “Wearesharing, idiot. Tonight’s my turn. You’ve had weeks with her already, I’m playing catchup.”
“Umm, we can just watch the film in the front room, it’s no big deal. I guess it is kinda dark to look at the forest anyway,” Malia offers.
Bhodi grins, “See!”
“No. We’ve made plans, you’re just going to have to lump it, Bhodi. If you want one-on-one time with Malia, you have to ask her out.”
“Am I allowed out?” she asks quietly.
“If you’re with one of us, of course.”
“Have breakfast with me, little dot?” Bhodi demands.
“S-sure. I’d love to.”
“I’ll call for you in the morning then.”
“Call for me?”
“Yeah, knock on your bedroom door and collect you like a proper gentleman.”
“Oh.”
“Might want to knock on my door. It’s pretty late. We might fall asleep watching the movie.”
Bhodi scowls and flips me the bird. I laugh.
“Goodnight, guys,” Malia tells Bhodi and Cove. Cove squeezes her and pulls her in for a kiss, making Bhodi splutter in protest. With a sweet smile, Malia gets to her feet, crosses to Bhodi and wraps him in a hug before kissing him too. He’s so taken aback that she’s already pulling away before he realises what’s happening.
“You good, Malia?” I ask, holding out my hand for her to take again. I love holding her hand, the feel of her tiny, delicate bones in mine brings out some fierce protective urge in me.
“I’m good. Better than good.”
“Excellent.”
I lead Malia away from the starry night sky and the beach bonfire, and back to the house. We pass through the silent house – the professor having disappeared shortly after dinner – and up the stairs. I guide Malia to my room and open the door, leaving the lights off so that she can see the view better in the dark though the wall of windows opposite.
