Jordan needed to stop staring. She brought her gaze up to Abby’s face.

Being so early, she had no make-up on yet. Jordan liked it.

“Hey.” Jordan had been practising her first line to Abby the whole time she was swimming. But now she was in front of her, all her preparation had flown out the window. Abby had that effect on her.

“Hey.” But Abby’s words weren’t what Jordan was following. Instead, she focused on Abby’s eyes, which were scanning her body.

Shit. Jordan had thought she’d make it to her room before anyone got up. This hen party liked to sleep late. She was wearing her red bikini again. She might as well have been naked.

Abby seemed to have temporarily lost the gift of speech.

Jordan angled her head towards the door. “I was just going to get changed. Before breakfast turns up.”

She curled her toes as time dragged.

Abby stood up taller.

“So I should just…” Jordan edged past Abby. She kept walking before Abby could stop her. Down the corridor. Up the grand, polished stairs. Footsteps followed her. When she turned, Abby was right behind her.

“Keep going.” Abby bundled Jordan into her room, then closed the door. Abby pressed her back and palms into its solid wood. She took a deep breath, looking like this was the last place in the world she wanted to be. “I just wanted to chat about last night. We went to bed with everything left a little unsaid and I didn’t want it to be awkward today.”

Jordan’s heart thumped in her chest. Standing in this bikini with Abby wasn’t a good start. She walked around the other side of the bed to put some distance between them. “It’s good it’s out in the open. But like you said, we got carried away. Nothing’s changed. We can still work together just like we have been.”

Abby nodded. Like this was a solid plan. Not just some words to paper over the cracks. Like they were both master plasterers, and this plan was foolproof. Abby rubbed her hands together in front of her stomach, sucking on the inside of her cheek. “So we’re good? Back to being friends?”

Jordan nodded, gritting her teeth. “Of course. Friends and colleagues. I’m your professional bridesmaid.”

Abby looked like Jordan had just punched her in the gut.

Jordan hadn’t meant to upset her. But perhaps it was the best thing to say. Present Abby with the bare facts, so they stayed in their lanes.

Outside, a door slammed, making them both start.

“You should go.” Jordan folded her arms across her chest. “Before your mum or Delta crash in here and think the worst.”

“The truth.” Abby looked like she wanted to stuff the words back into her mouth. “God, what a mess.” She shook her head.