The One That Got Away (Love Hotel #1)

Chapter 42

42

STELLA

My alarm sounded and as I slipped my hand out from the crisp, warm bed sheets to turn it off, I groaned. It only felt like five minutes ago that I’d gone to sleep.

After coming back to the villa, Max and I had made love again and then curled up on the sofa together watching multiple episodes of Ted Lasso before dragging ourselves to bed in the early hours of the morning.

Last night was magical. The food was incredible and as we looked through our memory book, champagne bubbles erupted in my stomach.

Every photo was beautiful. When they’d first suggested the idea, I thought it was ridiculous. But now I saw that capturing all those special moments and putting them into a physical book was genius.

And when Max and I raced back to the villa, hands and lips roaming everywhere, that was the cherry on top. As soon as he entered me, it felt like all was right in the world. He fit me so perfectly. The way our bodies connected was like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle sliding together .

But with all the beach celebrations and being together when we got back, it meant we hadn’t spoken about what would happen next.

I didn’t want to ruin our last night by mentioning it. There was no hiding from it now though. In less than an hour we’d be leaving the hotel and potentially each other.

For good.

When I turned over, Max wasn’t in bed. I threw back the covers and went to the living room. His suitcase was already by the door. I heard noises in the kitchen so went in and saw him loading croissants onto two plates.

‘Morning,’ I said.

‘Oh, hey! I was gonna bring this to you in bed.’

My stomach flipped. That was so sweet.

‘Thanks. Do you want to eat outside?’ I asked. ‘Soak up the last few sun rays before we go back to dreary London?’

‘Good idea.’

‘Actually, there’s something I keep forgetting to show you!’ I went back to the room, got my phone, brought it out to the patio then sat opposite Max. ‘Here’s some quick designs I did. They’re only rough because obviously I’ve been trying to do it on my phone, but hopefully you get the idea. I thought we should celebrate the beauty of the olives you use in your products, that’s why there’s a lot of green and an emphasis on nature and…’

‘I love it!’ Max beamed. ‘This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for.’

‘Oh!’ My eyes widened and butterflies erupted in my stomach. ‘That’s great.’

‘Can you send me what you’ve done? I’d love to get Colton’s thoughts. He doesn’t work in marketing, but I trust his opinion.’

‘Course.’ I tapped on the screen, hit reply to the email Max had sent with the brief then clicked send. ‘Let him know it’s only rough though.’

‘I will. Thanks again. And don’t forget to send an invoice for your time.’

I waved my hand dismissively and bit into my croissant. Didn’t feel right to charge him. I genuinely wanted to help.

Whilst we ate breakfast, Max gushed about how much he loved my designs. Then we talked about the weather, what we’d miss about the villa, our date last night… Everything except the one thing we needed to discuss.

After checking we hadn’t left anything, we locked up the villa for the last time and pulled our suitcases to the hotel reception where Jasmine was seeing off some of the other guests. Once she’d finished, she came over.

‘Awww, you guys! I’m going to miss you!’

‘We’ll miss you too!’ I said. ‘Are we allowed to hug you?’

‘Course!’ She opened her arms.

Max and I walked into them and we gave her a tight squeeze.

‘Cheers for everything,’ Max said.

‘You’re welcome. I wish you two a long and happy future together.’

Max’s eyes connected with mine and I swallowed hard.

‘I take your cases?’ Simón, the Suitcase Superintendent, broke the silence.

‘Er, please. Thanks!’ I stuttered as he loaded them into the boot of the car. ‘Well, keep in touch and good luck.’

‘Good luck?’ Jasmine frowned.

‘Yeah. With your… friend ,’ I smiled.

Jasmine’s gaze dropped and she fiddled with her blouse. She was always composed so seeing her flustered was strange. Her reaction confirmed what I suspected though. She definitely liked the chef .

‘Car’s ready,’ Jasmine changed the subject. ‘Safe journey home and I’ll be in touch soon to see how you’re both getting on.’

We waved goodbye, slid onto the back seat then shut the door.

As the driver set off, Max faced me.

‘So,’ he said, his face solemn. ‘We probably should have the talk . About what happens when we get home.’

My stomach twisted.

If the look on Max’s face was anything to go by, this wasn’t going to be good.