Three days

Chapter 1- KATE

Okay, how did I end up in a hotel room meeting a twenty-year-old flame, you may ask? Well, here’s how.

When I was fifteen, I went to a house party my friend was throwing for her birthday. It was an intimate crowd—no more than fifteen people. And when I say intimate, I mean it. I grew up in a town south of Belgrade, and in my generation, we all knew each other. It didn’t matter which school you attended; you pretty much knew everyone in your year.

I was a good girl. A good student. Always well-mannered and well-behaved, raised by a fearful mother and an extremely controlling father. I attended school every day, did well in my studies, played basketball, and did traditional dancing. I excelled in languages and dreamed of becoming an English teacher.

My friend Maya was training to be a chef. She was free-spirited and outgoing. She had already lost her virginity, while I was nowhere near ready to even try. I didn’t even have a boyfriend.

I felt a bit out of place when I arrived at the party, but I owed it to her to at least try. After all, I’d known her since I was seven. We’d been in the same class from year one through year eight. The moment I stepped inside, her eyes locked onto mine, and she dragged me straight to the dance floor—created by pushing all the furniture against the walls. God, I’d forgotten how much that girl loved to dance. She was smiling, vibrant, truly the star of the show.

“I have someone here I want you to meet!” she yelled over the music.

“Oh no, not another one of your matchmaking attempts, please,” I answered.

“Well, there’s always my brother, you know. He’s absolutely mad about you.”

“No way,” I yelled back. “I’m not going there. He’s your brother.”

“Okay, okay, I understand. I’ll introduce you to someone else once I find him. He’s soooo your type.”

I laughed, nodded, and kept dancing. When the song ended, I used it as an exit and excused myself to get a drink. I walked away from the noise, grabbed a soda from the cooler, and went outside. I wandered into the front garden, watched the cars drive by for a bit, then decided to go back in so she wouldn’t think I was being rude.

The second I entered the house, the noise and music hit me again. People were scattered across the living room, kitchen, and her bedroom. Some were talking, a couple or two were making out. I decided to head for the least crowded room to get away from anyone who might want to talk to me. That happened to be her bedroom.

I was immediately approached by her brother, Eli, who wanted to dance with me. I made up an excuse about having a sore ankle from dance rehearsal the night before and sat on the bench by the window. He asked if I wanted another soda. I said yes, and he eagerly went to get it.

Once I was left alone, I realised I was sitting close to two guys. One of them I’d known as long as I’d known Maya. The moment he spotted me, Marco came over and gave me the biggest bear hug.

“How the hell are you, Kate? I haven’t seen you since we started college.”

“Yeah, good to see you. I’m well. Just studying, rehearsals, basketball … you know, the usual. And you?”

“Oh, you know, just giving this chef's thing a go. Hey, this is my friend, Alex,” he said, gesturing to the other guy.

Alex shyly approached and said, “Hey, nice to meet you,” before quickly averting his gaze.

“I guess you’re all chefs, hey?” I said awkwardly.

“We sure hope to be one day,” Marco replied. “Hey, come sit with us.”

I moved to the armchair next to them and decided this might be how I’d survive the party—a casual hangout with two people, one I’d known for years and another quiet one I’d just met. Once I got a better look at his face, I realized Alex was actually quite cute. Tallish, kind of skinny, pale, and somehow … tired-looking. But he had the most gorgeous brown eyes I’d ever seen—almost hazelnut-colored. He kept avoiding my gaze, which only made my cheekiness kick in. I was about to scoot a little closer and prod at why he was so quiet and shy when Maya interrupted.

She came in like a hurricane—full of energy, sass, and a little tipsy. I had no idea where she’d gotten the alcohol; I hadn’t seen any, and there was no way her parents had supplied it. She locked onto me and plopped down on my lap.

“I see you’ve met him already! How delightful.”

The look on my face must have confused her, because she pointed at Alex and said, “Alex!” waving her arms like I was supposed to understand. Then she added, “He’s the one I wanted you to meet. You two would be perfect for each other.”

My cheeks flushed instantly. I didn’t know what to say. My lips parted, ready to protest, when someone else beat me to it.

“Hey! Enough with your matchmaking. I told you I wasn’t ready, and I don’t want to date.”

My eyes darted toward the voice. It was Alex. He looked agitated and frustrated, his eyes turning a darker shade of brown. Then he glanced at me and said, more softly, “Sorry. You seem lovely, but I just ended a relationship recently, and I’m not ready to move on.”

I was about to say “Hey, me neither,” when Maya cut in again.

“You two are made for each other. Just wait and see.” She turned to Marco. “Help me out here. You know them both so well.”

Marco stood up, laughing lightly. “I do not want a bar of this. I’m not getting involved. I’m going to go get a drink.”

Maya stomped after him, calling, “Hey, come on! You know I’m right!”

That left nothing but uncomfortable silence hanging between Alex and me.

“So…” he finally said. “How do you know Maya?”

“We went to school together. Love her, but she can be a bit much sometimes.”

“Yeah,” he said, “tell me about it.”

And we both laughed. We sat for a long time, talking effortlessly about all sorts of topics. We discovered we both loved the local bands, especially hard rock, and we both liked live music. He laughed at my jokes and seemed genuinely happy in my company.

So I had to ask.

“So … how set are you on this no-relationship business?”

He looked at me, a little surprised.

“Because I really want to kiss you,” I added.

He didn’t answer. I leaned closer until my face was less than an inch from his. I could smell the minty gum he’d been chewing all night. His breathing grew slightly labored.

“Not a good idea,” he said, teeth clenched.

“I don’t have many good ideas,” I replied, “but I think this one is actually not bad.”

I moved even closer, parted my lips slightly, and brushed my bottom lip against his. He pulled his head back a little. His eyes grew serious, his brows drawing together.

“You’re cute,” I said. “Do you really not like me that much?”

“It’s not that,” he said, shaking his head vigorously. “I just came out of something that emotionally crumbled me. I don’t think I can do this again. I can’t open up again.”

I leaned in once more, parted my lips, and whispered, “I really think you should try.”

Then I kissed him gently and waited a moment before pulling away.

The second I did, he closed the distance and kissed me back. His left hand slid around my waist, caught the belt loop of my jeans, and pulled me closer. He kissed me again, this time with more urgency.

When he finally pulled back, he murmured against my lips,

“This is a really terrible idea. I’m going to pay for this at some stage … I know it.”