Chapter 2

I'd packed until past midnight the night before, and now my head was killing me.

I went to grab a coffee, hoping the caffeine would clear it.

That's when I heard the familiar voices coming from the seating area outside the Starbucks.

Rhys's friends were posted up there, killing time before boarding.

"Where's Liora? She not coming with you?"

"She's threatening to break up again."

Someone snorted.

"Seriously? You haven't even taken off and she's already starting? What is it this time?"

"She's mad I didn't save her the seat next to mine."

"That's it?"

The guy shrugged. "Honestly, only you could put up with her."

Rhys ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it off his forehead.

"Yeah, I need a break too. I'll deal with her once we land in Miami."

Another one of his buddies jumped in.

"Bro, you spoiled her rotten. This is what you get."

"Honestly though, give me a chill girl like Talia any day. Hey Tal, what's your type? You into guys like me?"

Talia covered her face and giggled. Looked like Rhys had already smoothed things over with her.

Before she could answer, Rhys kicked his friend's chair. "Back off, dude."

Then his voice softened. "Stay away from this guy. He's a serial cheater. If he tries to add you on Instagram, do not accept."

They started cracking up.

"Damn Rhys, why so protective of Tal?"

"You bring her along but won't let any of us talk to her? What's that about?"

"Trying to keep her for yourself, huh?"

Talia's cheeks went pink.

"You guys, stop. Even if I was into someone like Rhys, he'd never go for me anyway."

Every head turned to Rhys. He just smiled. He didn't say a word.

Talia gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "See? That's a no. So please, if any of you know someone good, set me up."

Rhys finally spoke, slow and casual.

"Didn't say no."

I set my coffee cup down on the counter.

They erupted in laughter.

"Oh shoot."

Talia suddenly froze, counting heads on her fingers. She fumbled for her phone.

"Oh my god. I screwed up the room reservations."

"I just looked at the headcount, four guys and three girls, so I only booked three rooms..."

She kept scrolling.

"The hotel is completely sold out now. What do I do?"

Then she looked up and spotted me across the lounge.

She got up and walked straight over.

"Liora, I swear it was an honest mistake."

"There's another hotel right next door but it's like a thousand bucks more a night. I mean, you guys aren't exactly hurting for money, right? Maybe you could just book it?"

I stared at her, expressionless.

"You really have it out for me, don't you? Out of seven people, somehow I'm the one who has to pay extra?"

"And you screwed up the booking. Why am I the one fixing it?"

She made a pained face.

"Liora, I'm just an intern, okay? I'm not even out of school yet, my paychecks are basically nothing..."

I cut her off.

"You're the one who insisted on handling the bookings. We already Venmo'd you our share. If you couldn't handle it, you shouldn't have volunteered."

Talia dropped her head and started quietly crying.

"Enough." Rhys came up behind her.

He said it like it was no big deal. "It's not the end of the world. We just book another room."

"Liora, you're an adult. You should be able to roll with stuff like this."

I laughed coldly. "Roll with your intern freezing me out, you mean?"

Talia looked at Rhys with watery eyes. "I really didn't mean to."

Rhys lowered his voice. "Liora, Talia's a sweet girl. She doesn't think like that. You're being unfair to her."

"I'll book us an ocean view suite. Drop it. Stop making a scene."

"I'm the one making a scene?" I let out a sharp laugh.

My phone buzzed.

I didn't have the energy to keep arguing. I picked up the call and walked away from them.