Drifting Deception (On the Grid, #2)

Chapter Twenty-One

I dried my hair with the soft towel as I walked into the bedroom again. Lily was propped up on the bed, her face covered with contour streaks and concealer.

"Sorry," she laughed. "I usually let it sit for a few minutes before I blend it."

I shook my head. "No, same. It all just sticks to my brush otherwise."

She smiled. "You get me." I walked next to her and placed my makeup bag next to hers. Luckily mine was in the lounge already, so I didn't have to hike to the bedroom.

"So," she said, as she started to blend in her face. "What did you get up to today?"

"We went on a very long hike to the top of a very tall hill," I joked.

She shook her head. "Exercise on a holiday. Respect."

I smiled and began prepping my face with primer. "What time did you wake up?"

"Two," she said, embarrassed. "I know...what am I doing with my life?"

"No, like you said, we're on holiday. You can do whatever the fuck you want."

She nodded. "I can't believe we hadn't met sooner. You are so cool."

I smiled. "You're too kind." I was shocked she had warmed up to me so fast. She was initially a bit cold, but I think that's because she found out I was Theo's sister. Now that I knew they were exes, I could understand her apprehension. It was nice that she could put her past aside and not treat me like an outsider.

"So you and Theo," I said after a beat. My voice was low, but that's because I was treading lightly. I didn't want to say something that would make her close off.

She sighed. "Tell me about it. We used to be together, but not for long."

"I'm sorry it didn't work out," I said as I pumped my foundation onto my hand.

She shrugged. "It's okay. It was fun while it lasted, but some people are not meant to be together. I mean, everything happens for a reason, right?"

I wanted to pry and ask her how it ended, considering both of them were still not able to hold a conversation for more than five minutes. Their expressions both dropped each time the other entered the room. But I knew it wasn't my place to talk. If either of them wanted to share it with me one day, they would. Otherwise, I just had to mind my own business.

After an hour, we were both ready to attend the party—which was only on the villa's rooftop balcony. Lily had let me borrow a tight burgundy dress and a pair of her nude heels. I had no idea how she could fit three pairs of gorgeous stilettos in her suitcase, but I was going to be forever grateful that she'd come to my rescue.

We joined the rest of the party at six, my eyes meeting Henry's the second I entered the balcony.

He took a sip from his glass, not breaking his gaze while doing so. I felt a soft hand grab mine, only to realise it was Francesca's. She was wearing a short white dress covered in tiny gems and glitter. Across her chest, a sash with the words "hottest bride to be" hung freely. It was the coolest outfit she could've chosen for the occasion.

"You look stunning," I said.

She smiled. "So do you. Come on, I'll pour you a glass." I told myself I'd just have one drink tonight. We were celebrating with our friends after all. But I only needed one.

Once again, we found ourselves dancing as the sun started to set in the distance. I hadn't talked to Henry the entire night. Either he was avoiding me, or he thought I wanted to be avoided. I hoped no one else sensed the tension that was brewing between us.