Lies We Tell

18 : Big Decisions

Zahra knew Carl felt bad about the way things happened the night before as he brought a mug of coffee outside to her as a peace offering. In his other hand, he had a mug for Priya, too, which he dropped off first. As he set down hers, he crouched next to Zahra's head and tenderly stroked the side of her face.

"I hope you'll forgive me," he said softly. "I was out of line last night."

Zahra stretched. "I'm sorry for just storming off, too. We both did things we shouldn't have."

Carl leaned in to kiss her forehead. "We'll chat again later, okay?"

She offered him a tiny smile. "Okay."

When Carl had gone, Priya immediately sat up with interest. "Care to share the details please?"

Zahra sat up, too, and grabbed her coffee. It was just the way she liked it-- either he had paid attention as she made it previously, or else he remembered it from when they were together. She didn't know which reason hurt less. "He brought up the whole 'What about us?' question last night."

Priya looked intrigued as she sipped her own drink. "And? What did you say?"

"I didn't," Zahra admitted sheepishly. "I was overwhelmed, so I walked away, then I came out here to join you."

Priya frowned sympathetically. "I'm sorry, babes."

Zahra shook her head. "It was my fault, not his. It was a reasonable question-- he wanted me to make sure I knew he stood a chance, and he had a lot of good reasons why he did. I'm just having a hard time accepting he's right."

"But is he right about everything, or just about the parts that involve him?" When Zahra didn't reply right away, she added, "Of course Carl wants you to choose him. You did once before, so you two have history. He's hoping the familiarity is what keeps you close."

"It's working," Zahra grumbled, "but Priya, he's not the only one on my mind."

That Priya understood. "Lucas is completely new-- maybe new is what you need."

"Yeah, and maybe all I have is a headache." Zahra rolled her eyes, then climbed out of bed. "Come on."

The girls started back inside the Villa, and just as they crossed the threshold of the door, a text came through Priya's phone. Quickly the girls looked at each other, then ran to the bedroom, where they effectively woke everyone else up. "Ladies, huddle!" Priya called, waving around her phone.

While the boys sat up, dazed and confused, the girls did as Priya asked and scrambled out of the room. In the living room, Priya opened the text and frowned. "It's just addressed to the girls, no message. There's a video attachment, I think."

"Well go on, play it!" Lottie motioned with her hands, seeming flustered.

Priya pressed play, and a series of clips played out. In the first, Gary and Lucas were talking. Zahra was shocked by the wave of loneliness that swept over her as she took in his handsome features and realized how badly she'd been missing him.

"I'd take any of these girls home to my nan," Gary was saying.

"I know what you mean," Lucas replied, a smirk on his face.

Priya glanced quickly at Zahra, who had flinched slightly at Lucas's admission. What girls would he take home with him? "Zahra-"

"Sh! There's more!" It was Hope, whose eyes were glued to Priya's phone. A short clip of Noah had flashed across the screen.

It was the sound of Rahim's voice that pulled Priya's attention back to the video. "You look incredible."

A pretty, curvy redhead was stretched along a sun lounger next to Rahim's. "Only incredible? I know you can do better than that, Rahim."