‘You are hard on yourself. Sarah, you are so sexy.’ I began to shake my head at the compliment, but he ignored me and continued. ‘And smart about so many things – and fun. You’re fun to be around – you’re always happy.’

‘I’m happy?’ Who was he talking about?

‘Yes – well, I mean maybe not right this second, but otherwise, yes. You laugh a lot. You notice the little things, those details most people miss because they have their head up their ass. And you take time with people – you get to know them, you care. You’re engaged in life, Sarah – I consider that a mark of a happy person.’ He paused, looking at me while I reflected on everything he said.

‘You don’t see yourself that way?’ he asked.

My eyes filled with tears, and I started laughing and crying at the same time. Josh was right. The Sarah he knew was happy. So, who on earth was the Sarah I knew – the one who hated her job, and felt left out of her friends’ lives, the Sarah who was too afraid to fall in love again, because it would lead to heartbreak? What was she doing while happy Sarah was on holiday in the Greek Islands with new friends and a handsome American boy?

I looked at Josh with what must have been both shock and joy in equal measure. ‘I am happy – right now, I am. And this feels right, you know? I want to be this person all the time. I’ve missed being this person.’

He wrapped his arms around me again and held me in a hug.

‘I want you to sleep in my cabin tonight.’ I pulled back from the hug and looked at him. God, his eyes are beautiful. ‘We don’t have to do anything,’ he added, as if trying to reassure me. ‘I just want to be close to you, to sleep next to you.’

‘Okay.’

‘Really?’ He seemed surprised.

I laughed. ‘Yes really, handsome American boy.’ He smiled, but with a look that said, ‘Handsome American boy?’

‘It’s what I call you in my head,’ I replied, hoping I didn’t sound ridiculous.

‘I like it.’ With that, he kissed me on top of my head and stood up, pulling me with him. ‘C’mon, sexy Australian girl, let’s go to bed.’

Chapter Eight

When I woke the next morning, it was to sunlight filtering through the ceiling hatch and dancing across my eyelids. Glorious. I stretched luxuriously. I had slept so well! My bed partner stirred beside me as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I reached for my water bottle and took a quick swig. Morning breath can be a bitch.

‘Good morning.’

I swallowed, then rolled onto my side and propped my head on my hand. ‘Good morning.’

‘Sleep well?’

‘So well. You?’

‘I slept well too.’ He was smiling and I smiled back.