"That highly won't happen," Roman said, offended and Zadia scoffed. "I've already made up my mind on the matter... but if I did change my mind, the best thing for you to do is turn me down."
Zadia laughed sarcastically, her hand flaring in the air. "Yes, because it's so easy!" She exclaimed. "I like you and that's not something I can just make go away. Not yet at least."
"It's for your well-being."
"Again! I fucking know that!" She whispered and shouted at the same time. She wrapped the towel around her waist. When she noticed the expression on his face, she sighed. "Look,... I just... I wish things were different." Her eyes stared at the ceiling and she gulped, motioning toward both of them. "I wish we were different."
"I do too," Roman mumbled, his head hung low. "But we're not and we need to be responsible about this."
Zadia's shoulders dropped. "If you think this is the responsible route, then okay. Let's do it. I'm all for it." Roman didn't know if she was being sarcastic or not, not until she stuck out her hand. "We're cool?"
Roman stopped to think about it. Surely the two of them could handle it. His hand clasped over hers and he shook it. "We're cool." He agreed.
"I guess this means your brother is the only thing we've got to worry about." They hadn't let go of each other's hand yet. "You want me to handle it?" Zadia asked.
Roman scoffed dramatically. "You don't think I can handle my brother?"
"That's not what I said." Her shoulders shrugged. "I have the greater advantage at getting through to him. He likes me."
Roman threw his head back in laughter. "I think we both know that's not true." He smirked. "We'll confront him out there, see who can get it done."
"And the winner?"
"Winner gets..." he tried thinking of something. "whatever they want."
"Whatever they want?" Zadia smirked. "Deal."
She didn't stand a chance and Roman knew that, but he wouldn't miss an opportunity to prove her wrong. "Alright." This friendship thing didn't seem all that bad, Roman thought. They looked like the type of people who could potentially be friends in the real world. The more he thought about it, the more he couldn't see it. No, they didn't. In the real world, Zadia probably wouldn't even look his way and he would probably do the same. "—I'm sorry, what was that?" He asked, zoning back into the conversation.
Zadia tilted her head. "I said I need my hand."
Roman's eyes shot towards their hands and he quickly let go. "Sorry about that." He hadn't realized that he was still clinging to her. He was very absorbed in how calm their interaction was.
"It's fine." The awkwardness was beginning to rise. Zadia backed away, gripping the doorknob. "I need a few minutes, so I'll see you down there."
"You can finish here." He was quick to offer. "I don't mind and," he cleared his throat. "most of your things are in here anyway. I'll brush my teeth in the next room over."
"Okay." She would take his lead on this. "Thank you."
"No problem."
*
After Roman brushed his teeth and packed, he made his way to the kitchen. "Morning." He said. Dario and Zadia were outside, sitting at the beachcroft table. The glass door that separated the kitchen from outside was left open, a black screen there to keep whatever insects lurking, away.
Roman's eyes lingered on Zadia.
She had on a lounge dress and it didn't resemble the few clothes they got back at the hotel. His tongue traced along his teeth, the slit on the hem of Zadia's dress giving him access to see her thigh. He could recall kissing the inside of that very same thigh, leaving hickeys that trailed to her... He shook his head. "Mango, grape, dragon fruit, peach..." He recited in his mind, to keep from wondering about her in that way.
ChApTeR - 17
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