Lies We Tell

7 : Kiss and Tell

Priya was crouched next to the couch when Zahra awoke, two cups of coffee in hand. "Morning, babes. Here you go."

Zahra arched an eyebrow tiredly, accepting the coffee offered to her. "What's the special occasion?"

Priya rolled her eyes. "The girls are having girl talk about the boys in the bedroom. You're going to need the caffeine to get through that."

Zahra wrinkled her nose. "Can't I just skip it?"

"Not if I have to join in," Priya said with a laugh. "Now come on."

With a groan, Zahra sat up, then trudged after Priya into the bedroom. The other three girls were already in there, scattered across three beds in the center as they chatted quietly, waiting. Marisol's gaze swept over Zahra's disheveled form. "Another night sleeping alone?" she asked, sounding casual enough.

Zahra caught the smug undertone and smiled sweetly, sickeningly so. "I like my space from time to time."

Before Marisol could supply a retort, Lottie interrupted. "So? New boys-- how are we all feeling?"

Priya shrugged. "They're both attractive enough, but I'm still pretty set on Rahim."

Lottie smiled. "Babes, that's great!" Her smile turned wickedly. "I'm kind of into Mr. Mountain Man, personally."

"Really?" Hope asked, glancing towards the door as if expecting one of the boys to walk through. "Henrik seems nice enough, but Lucas is fine."

Marisol's eyes went wide. "Is your head turning?"

"Girls, you all know how much I like Noah." Zahra thought like was a bit of an understatement. Hope bit her lip. "But even with saying that, I have to admit that Lucas is so fit."

Zahra felt a lick of jealousy run through her, hot and bold, but as soon as it came, it disappeared. For that she was grateful, because she had no right to be jealous over Lucas. He wasn't her partner-- Rocco was.

"What about you, Marisol?" Lottie was asking. "Have either of the boys caught your attention?"

Marisol sighed, avoiding direct eye contact with anyone. "You all know things with Gary haven't been panning out well, but it's not like the new boys fancy me, either. Neither of them picked me for a date yesterday. In fact, Priya and Zahra were the hot picks for the day." She shrugged, trying to play off that she obviously felt bothered by that fact. "I'm hopeful that something else will work out in my favor."

Zahra thought back to last night, back to Rocco and Marisol alone by the pool. She shook the memory off. "Here's hoping you do." She meant it seriously, but it was obvious by the law student's sharp glare that she didn't believe that for a second. With a sigh, Zahra stood. "I'm going to get dressed."

With a salute of her coffee mug, she trudged upstairs. She changed quickly into a multi-colored one-piece before stepping out onto the roof terrace and taking a seat on the bench. It was peaceful up there, and the view of the Villa and the sprawling grounds surrounding it was incredible. It also helped that, from up there, she could unapologetically watch the boys, Rocco and Lucas specifically.

She was torn, which made absolutely no sense to her. Rocco was unpredictable-- one moment he seemed interested, and the next he couldn't keep far enough away from her. He was jealous and persistent, but only when he felt the need to be concerned. Lucas, on the other hand, intrigued her. He had an unwavering-- and incredibly attractive-- confidence streak within him, and he seemed unbothered by the rest of his "competition." Zahra couldn't tell who exactly was on his radar that he was hoping to pursue, but he had picked her for a date, and he sought her out twice last night, so that had to mean something, right?