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Chapter 3

"Seriously, Ashley? You couldn't tell me One Direction were staying at the hotel? You couldn't tell me we're working with them?" Liz was pacing the room, frustrated, brushing her fingers through her hair like she was about to combust.

"I didn't think it was important, Liz. They're just boys..." I began, and she halted mid-stride, raising a hand.

"They are not just boys, Ashley. Have you seen them? Have you looked at them?" Her tone was deadly serious, and I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction—which, frankly, I did not see coming.

"Liz... Lizzy, come on. They're what—twenty? Twenty-one? They're just kids."

"I don't fucking care how old they are. I wouldn't mind one of them inside me right now—or all of them, one by one... or at the same time. So don't give me that 'they're boys' crap."

"Ewwww, Liz! Get a grip!" I burst out laughing.

"Do you even know how huge they are?" she continued, deadpan.

"I know they're very popular—back home and in the States, I guess."

"No, I mean how huge they are," she said, grabbing a banana from the complimentary fruit basket and pointing at it meaningfully.

"Liiiiiiiiiiiiz."

"Okay, okay. So you don't know..."

"And you do?" I stared at her, half horrified, half amazed.

"Do you know how many times I've watched Harry grab his crotch on Twitter?"

"You watch that? And he does that? Why?"

"...And Niall!" she added dramatically.

"How many are there, anyway? And why do they touch their... their things in public?"

"There were five, now they're four—Zayn left, blah blah—and they do it because they can. Because they've got the goods, and women are crazy for them."

"You mean girls?" I corrected.

"No, babe. I mean women. Sure, there are girls. But grown-ass women, too."

"Jesus, stop. I want to scream."

"I want to scream Liam's name," she said with such sass I actually felt slightly scared.

"Shut up, Liz. Let's get some sleep, you psycho. Then tomorrow we'll go downstairs and book diving lessons, yeah?"

"I won't be able to sleep, but I'll lie down a bit," she muttered, heading toward the bathroom.

"...Lie down on Louis," she added before shutting the door behind her.

I sighed. She was completely insane—but I loved her.

The next morning

"You look right fit, Ash!" Liz beamed as I walked out in my bikini and shorts.

"Those dull office outfits make you look older... You're so beautiful, Ashley. We need to get you out and about. That gym is paying off," she said sincerely—another reason I loved her.

"Thanks, Liz. But don't start with the 'get out there' talk again. I don't want it. I don't need it."

She'd been on my case for months about moving on. I knew she meant well—but I wasn't there yet.

"Okay, I'll shut up... for now. But—"

"Let's go, Liz. Let's show off that new bikini you bought. You look ace, baby," I cut her off smoothly.