Summer Fling: An Anthology by Vi Keeland
WE MAKE OUT pretty hardcore under that tree, so much so that we’re politely asked to separate by some embarrassed worker who’s unable to meet our eyes.
We burst into fits of laughter as we run for the entrance of the ruins, our clothes and shoes still soggy from the rain. Though I’m tempted to plead with him to take me back to the villa so we can finish what we started, a small (sensible) part of me still realizes we’re in a place we might never see again, and it’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m glad we push through the initial urge to go back to the resort, because the ruins are beautiful.
The walled city was built right on the cliffs of the ocean by the Mayan people, complete with watchtowers and temples. So much of it still stands today, and we curve through the gravel path that leads tourists around the ancient city. We’re even able to walk through a few of the structures. We take photos, especially because we know Natalie and Connor will be curious to see them. Noah stands beside me for a selfie, and I make a cheesy face right before he turns and presses a kiss to my cheek, snapping the photo in time to catch my unabashed delight. I’m embarrassed when we look down at it afterward, everything I feel for him evident on the screen. I want him to delete it. Crop me out. I want to yank the phone out of his hand and toss it off the cliff into the ocean.
He looks at the picture and then over to me.
I start to walk away.
He reaches out to grip my elbow and tugs me back toward his chest.
“You’re into me, aren’t you?” he teases, whispering the words into my ear.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You want me,” he insists, so cocky and arrogant I’m tempted to lift my foot and stomp it back down on top of his just to get him to release me.
But his next words catch me off guard.
“How long have you been suffering?” he asks, his words soft and empathetic. “As long as I have?”
He squeezes my elbow then drops his hand, curving around me so he can keep walking up the path. I’m left staring after him, absorbing his words, fighting back a smile.
