Drawn To You (GirlxGirl)

Part 15

Allie's P.O.V

I had been looking forward to a relaxing couple of nights away, feeling like it was exactly what I was needing. That was until Mark came home from work yesterday and told me he'd invited "a few of the guys" from the garage to join us.

He sprung it on me so casually while getting a beer out of the fridge and I had been at a complete loss for words. How could he have completely missed the point of a 'couples getaway'? We had a small argument but I ended it quickly, not wanting to waste energy on an argument I wouldn't win.

As we pulled up to the campsite, I could see a few other cars already parked and people beginning to unload their gear. I was grateful that some of the guys had brought their girlfriends along and my mood lifted slightly as I took in the beauty of the location—tall trees, a beach to ourselves and the peaceful sound of birds singing in the background. Maybe I could still make the most of this weekend, even if it wasn't exactly what I had hoped for.

I helped Mark unload our car and picked a spot of ground to set our tent up on. The sun was low in the sky but still gave off a warm blaze as we helped each other pitch the tent.

We were almost done as I heard another car approach, my eyes automatically looking up. I didn't realise that we had been waiting for more people to arrive but I shrugged it off.

"Can you pass me that last pole, love?" Mark spoke as he held the tent in place.

Just as I was about to bring my attention back to the task at hand, I spotted a very familiar figure exit the car that had just pulled up. I squinted my eyes slightly to make sure they weren't deceiving me.

'Liam? What the-'

My heartbeat rapidly increased as the realisation washed over me slowly. Surely not..

Everything around me came to a standstill as the passenger door opened and the one person who I had come here to forget stepped out. Everything was happening in slow motion as I watched her close the car door and turn in my direction. Her golden hair was mostly hidden under a sage green baseball cap, her captivating blue eyes were hidden under black sunglasses, but there was no mistaking her.

I couldn't tear my eyes away as she lifted her sunglasses off of her face, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the sunlight just as we locked each other's gaze. Time seemed to stop for a moment, everything and everyone fading away. Jessie's expression was unreadable, her gaze steady on me before a small apologetic smile very quickly appeared and disappeared.

Then she pulled her eyes off of mine and got to work on unloading the car.

"Babe.." Mark's voice startled me and made the surroundings move again.

My eyes snapped back in his direction as I let out a small breath.

"The pole?" He asked me again with a confused expression.

I picked the pole up and handed it to him, trying my best to hide my current emotions. But I had to ask.

"Why didn't you tell me Jessie was coming?" I whispered, trying to keep my voice low enough that the others wouldn't hear.

Mark looked at me, genuinely puzzled. "I told you I invited some of the guys from work. Jessie's one of the guys" he laughed casually.

It was typical of Mark to not think about telling me things like inviting my new boss on what was supposed to be a camping trip for two. But I couldn't let him, or anyone else for that matter, know that he had invited the one person I had been trying so desperately to get out of my mind.

So instead, I turned on my heel and stormed back to the car, yanking open the trunk to grab one of the bottles of wine I'd packed. If this weekend was going to be anything like I was beginning to fear, I'd need the alcohol.

As I twisted off the cap, I glanced over at Jessie again. She was busy setting up her tent with Liam, the two of them chatting casually as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Which just made me feel even more annoyed. How could she think it was a good idea to come on this trip?

I took a long sip from the bottle, feeling the warmth of the wine as it slid down my throat.

I'd deal with this, I told myself. I'd make it through the weekend, but suddenly, the idea of camping didn't seem so appealing anymore.