Page 67 of In the Same Boat

‘The longer the better,’ he says.

I purse my lips as I try to stifle the thought that pops into my mind.

‘One night of the two of them thinking we’re hooking up and I bet you anything they beg us to leave, it will kill their romantic vibe,’ he says.

‘You know what? I think you might be right,’ I reply.

‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’

‘Subtle as a flare gun,’ I add. ‘But it just might work.’

‘I’m still taking it as a compliment,’ he replies. ‘So, what do you think? Do you want to take this party to the bedroom?’

I feel a flutter of something travel through my body, almost as though it hasn’t quite got the memo that all of this is fake.

‘Let’s do it,’ I say.

Nico grins too.

‘Imagine their faces,’ he says. ‘It’s a shame we can’t see, but we’re too wrapped up in each other, right?’

‘Right,’ I reply. ‘Because I’m so desperate to get you to your cabin that I don’t even notice they’re there.’

‘I’ll tell them goodnight, but I don’t even care that they’re there,’ he replies. ‘So they’re going to have to live with it…’

It’s strange, because we both know what the plan is, that none of this is real, and yet it feels a lot like flirting.

This isn’t a terrible idea, is it?

I look back through the doors again. Hank says something I can’t hear, but I can tell from his expression that things are kicking up a gear between them. So Nico and I need to get in there first – or seem to, at least.

Nico raises his glass.

‘To psychological warfare.’

I clink my glass against his.

‘To ending this holiday early,’ I reply.

‘Commitment to the bit,’ he says with mock seriousness, offering me his hand. ‘You said no half-measures.’

‘I did indeed,’ I say, taking his hand.

He grabs a bottle of champagne from the outside fridge with his free hand.

‘Let’s do this,’ he says confidently.

It’s funny, because he’s essentially agreeing with me, but my reflex is to find his response cocky and annoying.

The moment we step back inside together, both our parents look up at exactly the same time.

Nico snakes an arm around my waist, pulling me close, so close I can feel his body heat. I drape an arm around his neck, trying to hang off him casually.

Mum’s eyes widen ever so slightly before she hurriedly ushers her expression into something casual. Hank attempts something similar but fails almost instantly. He looks like a man trying to act normal while his leg is on fire.

Nico, meanwhile, doesn’t hesitate for even a second.

‘We think we’re going to have an early night,’ he says smoothly.