Maybe Lauren is right. I’ve got enough money to live on, plus with Lauren coming in as my partner, we’ve just doubled the pot to start this business.
“I’ve been working toward this goal for so long that I forgot I need to start it. I’m used to working my ass off to save the money that I never thought it would ever happen.”
“This is happening, Elle. You and me against the world,” Lauren tells me.
“We have so much to do. It’s overwhelming,” I state as the anxiety begins to swirl in the pit of my stomach.
“I know. But let’s figure it out back in London instead of halfway across the world,” Lauren adds. “We’ve got this, Elle. I’ve got you. I know it’s hard for you to rely on other people after everything with your family, but I’ve been your ride and die for half your life. I haven’t let you down yet, have I?”
“No.”
“Then will you trust me when I sayyou’ve got this? I won’t let you fail, Elle. I promise.” Tears well in my eyes over Lauren’s heartfelt words, so I crawl over and hug her tightly.
“Thanks for believing in me.”
“Of course, I believe in you. You’re family, babe,” Lauren states, hugging me back. “I can’t wait to take over the world with you, Elle.”
“I can’t wait either.”
We spend the next couple of hours talking business and planning our domination of the London bakery scene before it’s time for me to make my way back to Alistair.
“You’re back,” Alistair says, looking up from his computer as I walk into the villa.
“Time flew away from us. We got into business planning mode, and the next thing I knew, it had been three hours. Did you sort everything out?” I ask.
Alistair places his laptop on the coffee table and holds out his arms for me. I go willingly into them and snuggle into his chest after a quick kiss. “How did it go?”
And I tell him.
I spilled everything Lauren and I had discussed today, and he sat and listened to everything I had to say. And then he told me about his day, everything that had gone wrong back in London, and then the hold-ups with permits for a new club he was creating. It was nice to lay down in his arms and talk shop with someone who gave a shit about my dreams.
“Come on, you need to get out of this villa and relax. I can feel how tense you are,” I tell him, jumping out of his arms.
“All I need is you.” He smirks.
“Youwillhave me. But I think a trip to the waterfall is exactly what you need to dissolve all that tension I can see written all over your face,” I tell him as I place a finger between his pulled brows.
“Fine! Take me to these magical waterfalls,” he says.
“Come on, old man.” I hold out my hand for him as I pull him up off the sofa with a groan.
“Who you calling old?” He chuckles as he tickles my side. “Actually, how old are you?” He stops and looks down at me.
“Twenty-five.”
“Thirty-three … that’s not too much of an age gap then, is it?” he asks.
“Eight years is nothing,” I reply.
“Might be when I’m old and gray, and you’re still this hot little thing running around in a bikini,” he jokes.
My heart beats wildly in my chest at the thought of being with him when he’s old and gray.Is he planning on us being together long-term?
“Come on then, let me enjoy you while you’re still young and fresh,” I joke.
After we pack our bags, we jump onto the golf buggy with me in the driver’s seat, and we head from the beachfront villas to the waterfall. We travel through the rainforest and wave to the people walking along the paths in various states of undress. I look over at Alistair, and he gives me a cheeky smile as we pass another naked couple. I pull up to the area beside the path that leads to the waterfall and park our buggy.
“Come on, it’s just up here,” I tell him as I grab his hand, and we start meandering along the path. The rainforest is packed densely around us, but I know up ahead it disappears and opens to a magnificent waterfall that has natural rockpools. I also know that built underneath the waterfall is a grotto that stretches for miles. Loads of people come here, have sex on the rocks, and the sound of their coupling echoes through the caves, which can be hot if you’re into that kind of thing.