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Savannah stared out over the impossibly blue Aegean to where it merged with the horizon in a shimmering haze.
"Ah! This is the life," she sighed. The sun soaked into her pale English skin, massaging her with its warm rays. She turned onto her stomach to tan her back.
"Aren't you glad you came?" remarked Stacey, with a smirk. "I can't believe you were going to cancel at the last moment."
"You have no idea how hectic my schedule is right now," Savannah mumbled, her face buried in the sun lounger.
"You needed a break." Becky, Savannah's oldest friend and general partner in crime, said sternly. "When last did you have some fun?"
It was true. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed, really laughed. Life had a way of eroding your sense of humour after a while, if you let it. Being a single mum was hard, and even more so when you were the sole provider for your extremely active eight year old son. With no husband to rely on for financial support – or any other kind, for that matter – it was all up to her. Thank God she had a decent job and an understanding boss. In some ways she was extremely lucky, but unfortunately, it left her very little time for holidays, especially for herself.
"I hope Max is okay," she said for the second time in as many hours.
"I'm sure your mother is taking good care of him," Becky said soothingly. Savannah nodded. Yes, her mother was a godsend, and perfectly capable of looking after Max for a week. She had raised three girls after all. One boy would be a dream in comparison.
"I think I'll go for a swim," Stacey announced ten minutes later. The Mediterranean sun was blisteringly hot despite it being almost four in the afternoon. With their fair, untanned skins the girls had to be careful they didn't burn.
"I'll join you," said Savannah, swinging her legs over the side of the sun lounger. "Ouch, even this sand is scorching!" Gingerly, she slipped her feet into her flip-flops and padded down to the water behind her friend.
"Savannah, is that you?"
Savanna stopped dead in her tracks. She recognised the voice but couldn't place it. Confused, she turned around.
"Heavens! Who is that?" hissed Stacey, who'd stopped alongside her. The water lapped at their toes.
A golden, god-like man in swimming trunks had just emerged from the water. His dark hair was dripping wet and swept back off his smooth forehead. His well-toned torso glistened in the bright sunlight.
Savannah gulped. "Gino? Wow, what a surprise. What are you doing here?"
"Gino?" echoed Stacey, wrinkling her brow.
"I'm on holiday with some friends," he replied coming closer. He was so gorgeous, so undeniably male and so half-naked that Savannah wished she could erect one of those crime scene barriers around herself. If he entered into her personal space she might actually swoon.
