The Love Island Bookshop by Kate Frost (ebook reader with internet browser .TXT) 📕

she could never replace her, just the way she couldn’t comprehend how anyone would ever replace Amber’s friendship. Aisha was wonderful and a really good friend but she and Amber went back to childhood. They’d had a special bond. But was it really so special when her best friend had done something so unexpected? They’d always confided in each other, they’d always told each other their secrets, their hopes, their dreams, their fears... But for Freya to not have had a clue that Amber must have felt so hopeless, ripped her heart in two. She couldn’t forgive herself for not having seen the signs, or even having an inkling that her best friend was in so much distress.

‘By the way, I have some news.’

‘You do?’ Freya snapped back at the sound of Aisha’s voice. ‘I’ve not been gone long, what could possibly have happened?’

‘I so wanted to tell you before you left, but I didn’t want to jinx it...’

‘Oh, my goodness, you’re not...’

‘...Pregnant. Oh yes I am.’ Aisha practically squealed. ‘While you’re living a life of luxury on a tropical island, I’ll be getting fat and uncomfortable growing a baby.’

‘Oh, I’m made up for you, Aish, I really am. I bet Tom’s over the moon.’

‘He is but I think he’s also freaking out a bit. I think we had such disappointment for six months when we were trying and nothing was happening, and then we couldn’t really believe it when the next test came back positive.’

‘So, when are you due?’

‘Early April.’

‘I’ll still be here.’

‘Like I said, living a fine life while I’m knee deep in nappies and poop.’

‘You do realise I’m not actually living in luxury. The island is incredible and so are the guest villas – I mean dreamy out of this world sort of places, but the staff accommodation is quite modest, although by all accounts pretty bloody amazing for staff.’

‘You have a room of your own right?’

‘Yes, in a sort of flat with three others. Drew’s from the UK, younger than me but really nice. I’ve met a few people, made a couple of friends.’

‘Have you met Zander Cohen himself?’

‘I have indeed.’

‘And?’

‘I’m not too sure what to make of him.’

‘He’s bloody gorgeous that’s what I make of him.’

‘Yes, but then you did have a massive crush on him.’

‘Well, I’m incredibly jealous of your island adventure and getting to meet my teen crush.’

‘And I’m so happy for you and Tom; it’s such fantastic news. Maybe you should have a babymoon and come visit me, stay on the island and have a few days of luxury and pampering before those sleepless nights start.’

‘That is rather tempting.’ Aisha laughed. ‘Send me pictures and keep me up to date with everything. I’m looking forward to reading your blog. Miss seeing your lovely face at work.’

Chapter Twelve

The next couple of weeks flew by. Freya was immersed in preparations for the bookshop opening, liaising with island staff about food and drink for the launch party, and with Mia Jacobsen about her journey plans and how long she’d be staying. Copies of Mia’s latest crime thriller arrived from Bloom & Cole and Freya unpacked them, feeling strange that they’d been sent from her old place of work. With tears in her eyes, she read the handwritten note from the CEO and publisher, Esther, thanking Freya and Zander for the opportunity and wishing Freya luck for the opening of the bookshop.

Freya’s first blog was published and over the next twenty-four hours she had a steady stream of messages via text and on social media from friends who’d not only read it but had seen the photos. Freya stared at the photo of her twirling around in the shallows in her white skirt, her hair flying around her. She looked like she had no cares in the world. The comments were all incredibly complimentary, yet she had a stab of guilt that she was enjoying herself and living life to the full. She felt guilty for not thinking about Amber, guilty about what her family would think, and it was eating away at her.

‘Those are quite some photos.’

Aaron loomed over her as she was eating dinner. She turned and looked up into his beaming face. He winked and slid on to the seat opposite, placing his tray on the table.

‘Thank you,’ she said as her cheeks heated up. The photo shoot had caused more of a stir than she’d anticipated.

‘Really beautiful and seductive, just like the island itself.’ He jabbed his fork into a piece of chicken. ‘Did Zander take them?’

‘Oh God no. He had a professional photographer flown in – I think he’s used her for most of the shots of the island. Mind you, it’s kinda mad to have had someone like her fly in just to take photos of me.’ She blushed again. ‘Well, not just me, the bookshop too. It’s all for the bookshop.’

‘There are quite a lot just focused on you.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘After all, you fit perfectly with the look of the island.’

Freya nodded but didn’t say anything. Once again, the idea that she’d been chosen for the way she looked over her credentials had been fuelled, and by someone other than Zander.

‘That’s not a bad thing, Freya.’ He reached across the table and put his hand on hers. ‘You’re beautiful.’

He held her gaze, his brown eyes mesmerising in the dim light of evening. His touch felt electric, accentuated by everything going on around them, other tables filled with staff eating and chatting, the buzz of a generator, the clink of cutlery and plates, the hiss of steam from the kitchen.

Drew and Aaron had become a permanent fixture in her island life. Although she mostly worked alone, she rarely felt lonely as she began to get to know the other staff, from the small team in the office where Meena was based, to the head of the bar staff and the executive chef. She enjoyed her own company during the day and in the evenings, she had company