Picture Perfect (The Wilsons) by Alicia Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

two go on a date or something?"
    Lea sighed. "No, we didn't go on a date."
    Grace's mouth dropped and she gave Lea a gentle shove. "Don't tell me you've hooked up already?"
    Everyone giggled and looked at her in anticipation.
    "Ugh." Lea rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I don't do random hook-ups."
    "Well maybe you should."
    Lea's eyes were about to pop out of her head. "I can't believe you're saying that, Grace. You and Dave are so happy, and I just want a stable relationship like that."
    " Oh, come on." It was Michelle's turn to give her unsolicited advice. "You'll get a 'stable relationship' when it happens. In the meantime, go out and have some fun! You only live once."
    "Yeah, but…"
    "But what? This is St Martin's, it's in the middle of nowhere, and nobody's going to find out. Except for us." She winked broadly. "And we definitely approve."
    "But what if I can't move on after that?"
    "Well, you kind of have to, seeing how your holiday's going to end at some point."
    And he's going back to cover some civil war or the other and probably get himself killed , Lea added in her head.
    Steph nodded in agreement. "We're not telling you to go out and get your heart broken, but he seems like a nice guy and he's cute. Go and have fun! Why do you have to be so serious and uptight about everything?"
    Lea made a face. "I'm not uptight and -"
    "Prrrrwt." Angie stuck her tongue between her lips and made a childish noise to shut her up. "Everyone knows you're uptight, Lea, you live like a nun and run your life like a business meeting."
    "I live like a nun? That doesn’t even make sense !"
    Their food arrived and they continued bickering. Lea had a hard time trying to change the topic, but she finally managed to get the girls to discuss the wedding they were all here for.
    After a short walk along the beach, the girls went back to the hotel and retired to their separate rooms. Lea didn't know whether the others would go out for a walk later or not, but she let the alcohol, food and excitement overwhelm her and sank into a deep siesta.
    ***
    Lea woke up the next morning feeling slightly groggy. The dinner last night had been quite interesting, and thankfully the girls hadn't mentioned Adam in front of anyone else. Stacey, the bride-to-be, had landed after an af ternoon flight, and everyone had stayed late, eating and drinking and catching up.
    When she woke the next day, she stuffed all her things into her carry-on and headed down to reception where she handed in her key.
    “I’m sorry about the inconvenience,” said the receptionist, smiling politely.
    “No, it’s not your fault. And I was told about it when I was making the booking – it’s a pity the hotel has to do renovations now.”
    “Well, yeah, it’s usually less busy at this time of year, most people come here in the winter.”
    Lea grabbed the key to her new room and she and the receptionist exchanged polite goodbyes.
    It’s true – she had been told about the need to change rooms mid-way. They needed her room for another couple who was coming to the wedding, and changing rooms mid-way was a small price Lea was willing to pay in order to not have to shift hotels. It was a bit annoying, but there was nothing else to do – she didn’t want the wedding party to have to split up between hotels because of her.
    The new room was a bit smaller, but just as nice. The rooms in this resort all had ocean views, and she spent a minute taking in the sights before she stuffed the carry-on, unopened, into one of the large wardrobes along the wall.
    She headed down, and spent the rest of the day chatting with Stacey and her friends. They first couple of hours passed pleasantly enough, but then Stacey got news that her photographer had come down with chickenpox, and wasn’t able to fly over to St Martin’s for the wedding.
    Stacey almost exploded when she heard the news – “Who has chicken pox when they’re an adult? Why couldn’t he do the decent thing and get it when he