Page 114 of In the Same Boat

‘I feel different with you too,’ he replies. ‘Like giving things a go might not be so scary… But when you said we should forget what happened…’

‘You agreed,’ I reply. ‘Making me think I was right to say it…’

He laughs.

‘What a mess, eh?’ he says eventually. ‘All the games, the pretending – it was all a waste of time. All we needed to do was be honest with each other.’

‘I guess I’m not as good at that as I thought,’ I admit.

‘Me too,’ he replies. ‘But I’m ready to start. Like right now, because, did you know your mum is snogging my dad over by the bar?’

I glance over and – WOW – sure enough, they’re kissing, and they’re really going for it.

I feel Nico’s hand on my face, gently moving my attention back to him. He leaves his hand there as he looks into my eyes.

‘I like you, Sammie.’

There it is. No joke. No games. Just the truth.

‘I like you too,’ I reply. ‘And not because my mum wants me to, or because your dad is holding me hostage…’

He laughs.

‘And it’s that simple?’ he checks.

‘I suppose it is,’ I reply.

We edge our faces closer together, only giving up a millimetre or so each at a time, until eventually we join together and kiss. It’s different to last time, less sexually charged, but somehow much deeper. Like it really means something.

‘Wehey,’ Hank cheers as he and Mum join us. ‘You did it!’

I can’t help but laugh.

‘We’ll get champagne and be right back,’ Mum tells us.

Champagne – wow. This really is a celebration.

‘So what do we do?’ I ask Nico, once we’re alone.

‘We just… give it a go,’ he says. ‘See what happens.’

‘I like that – no pressure,’ I reply. ‘I can do that.’

Mum and Hank arrive back, with a bottle and four glasses. They slide in across from us.

‘Well, this definitely deserves a toast,’ Hank says. ‘The Monaco gang back together.’

‘I’ll drink to that,’ Mum replies.

Hank pours a glass for each of us.

‘You know, Nico and I were planning a holiday – seeing as though this one went a bit wrong,’ he says. ‘We’re going to the Bahamas, aren’t we, lad?’

‘Barbados,’ Nico corrects him. ‘We’re going to Barbados.’

‘Good thing I’m not the one flying the plane,’ Hank jokes. ‘Anyway, Chrissy, I’d love it if you came with me – and Sammie, I’m sure Nico would love you to be there.’

I turn to him.