forty-seven minutes when she decided that leaving home would

t had involved nothing more serious than a misplaced phone and a very unfortunate choice of vehicle. She had found her phone beneath a chair, apolo

Olivia appeared beside

me you're

d the plate. "

at cake like it in

ocent. I'm pract

h her. She was warm, playful, and entirely too pleased whenever she managed to get Serena into trouble. The two had become friendly

innocent, "what exactly happened bet

thi

ren

ay dinner. I responded. He got offended because I didn't b

esn't get

makes it look like he's mentally calculating how much

, attracting a curious gl

ly don't

to my aunt explain why I should have studied med

y specific le

time to de

Serena a quick hug and reminded her not to disappear before the birthday cake was cut. Serena promised nothi

essage asking where she had disappeared to, followed by three laughing emojis and a phot

tely called

ete

N

I'm se

he funniest thing y

being c

nto a man because he

like something his ho

d, followed by a loud laugh. Sere

ot a serio

near the food table and come meet Marcu

ng pool, talking to two men she vaguely recognised. When he noticed h

rson at this pa

y started working with a travel company and had become determined to organise a weekend getaway for their group of friends. He had a

ked at the pictures I

at the f

were

establish that there was sand. I

ed. "You're

keep inviti

ke everything m

eply when a familiar

n't realise yo

ass of water. His expression was composed, but something about

ed delighted. "Damian C

ion. Apparently, the universe had decided that she wasn't allowed

know each othe

Serena said, "w

"She has a habit of appearin

behaving as though ever

plac

conve

m, clearly entertained. "

ortant," Dam

a corrected. "Most of t

ion at having someone appreciate her humour in Damian's presenc

onvince Serena to join us for a weeke

," Damian repl

For once, we agr

us said. "I'll pu

hey protest

re going to make this

if you put my name on t

trip if you put mine

is phone. "Noted. Y

looked as though he was considering w

na forgot to be angry. She was too bu

ian look

ha

s usual coolness. "I'm just wondering how you mana

pped la

o turn every simple conversation in

"Not everyone is interested

ot interested in ent

d to enjoy the rest of her evening w

cus was still grin

oing?" she aske

g the gr

t you

la

on appeared

KEND - NO

yes towards Damian. He was looking at his own

, they shared a mu

going to k

r-Damian Cross and Serena Vale, you two are officially in charge of keeping e