Free Surviving Us by Erin Noelle Page A

myself if I really know what in the world I’m getting myself into with Davis.
    My virginity was lost several years back in less than spectacular fashion, so it’s not my innocence or virtue I’m worried about. I simply need to remind myself whatever this thing is I’m starting with him will most definitely end in less than two weeks, and I can’t allow myself to develop any substantial feelings or attachment in the meantime. This is about having fun and being carefree, forgetting my troubles for a little while, indulging in my short-lived youth, not anything else.
    Typically, I wouldn’t be concerned about this at all; I’ve purposely never been in a relationship other than a casual hook-up here and there. I’m too focused on school and work to get involved in unnecessary drama. Occasionally, I’ll allow Lyv to talk me into going out with her on our night off, which sometimes leads to a much needed release of pent-up sexual energy, but that’s it—one night and I’m out.
    But there’s something different about Davis, and I’ll admit it scares me a little . . . just not enough to stay away from him. There’s no possible way I can deny myself the opportunity to be with someone like him, even if it is for a short period of time. I’ve been able to handle purely physical relationships for the past four years, there should be no reason I can’t do it now.
    A knock on the door interrupts my internal pep-talk. “Bristol, you still in there?”
    I hurriedly unlock the door and open it to a freshly showered and shaven Davis, dressed in grey slacks and a black Tommy Bahama button down shirt. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him all cleaned up and smelling downright edible in whatever cologne he’s wearing. I’m in so much trouble.
    “I’m still here,” I smile, “was just about to head down.”
    “Good. I was hoping I didn’t miss you while I was in the shower.” He grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”
    We stroll lazily down to the restaurant in comfortable silence, both enjoying the peaceful surroundings. A little ways before we get there, he unexpectedly stops to pick a fuchsia hibiscus from one of the hundreds of plants lining the road. Catching me off-guard, he slips it behind my ear with a gentle kiss on my cheek, and my insides liquefy into girlie gooeyness.
    “Perfect,” he murmurs as he redirects us on our path.
    I reach up with my free hand, lightly trace my finger around a petal, and beam up at him. “Thank you.”

    Dinner is downright delicious, even better than last night’s steak and the fish tacos from lunch. Of the three options on the menu, I’ve never heard of any of them, so I let Davis order for me—trusting he’ll choose something tasty—which he does. Having no qualms about eating heavily in front of a guy or anyone else, I damn near lick the plate clean of the pork something-or-other and mashed yucca potatoes. I limit myself to only two glasses of wine, enough to feel a faint tingle buzzing through me, but also preventing another hung-over morning. Plus, I want to be aware and alert for whatever may happen after dinner.
    We sit at a table with Ashleigh, Charlotte, Kayden, Isaac, and Peyton; I’m in-between Davis and Charlotte, while he has Peyton on the other side of him, which I’m trying to convince myself is pure coincidence, except for the fact she’s so close, I’m afraid she may sit in his lap at any moment. The older adults, mainly Ashleigh and Isaac, lead the conversation, which centers around how St. Lucia compares to other places they’ve traveled to. Since I have absolutely nothing to add to the discussion, and because Davis isn’t big on talking much anyway, we sit there relatively quiet, just listening to the others.
    “Davis, have you been out of the country before?” Isaac asks, trying his hardest to bring the new Enduring Life member out of his shell.
    “I’ve