The Complete Memories Series by Emma Hart

head.
    ‘‘Is that buffoon still here?’’ Jen groans and passes me a drink. Bing frowns at me.
    ‘‘It’s come from Alec’s car,’’ I grind out.
    ‘‘I opened it.’’ Jen smiles sweetly.
    Bing grunts and folds his arms across his chest.
    ‘‘You’re such a fucking toddler,’’ I snap at him. ‘‘Do me a favour and go and entertain Bianca.’’
    ‘‘Who’s Bianca?’’ He perks up.
    ‘‘She’s making moves on her man.’’ Jen waggles her eyebrows. I roll my eyes. There’s no use correcting her - she’ll just tell me I’m in denial. Again.
    ‘‘Where is she?’’
    Jen skirts around me and links her arm through Bing’s. She points her out in the crowd - her bleach blonde bob isn’t exactly hard to miss - and I see him nod appreciatively.
    Honestly, if it has boobs, a pair of legs and a pulse, Bing will be straight onto it.
    Figuratively and literally.
    He nods again and starts moving in Bianca’s direction.
    ‘‘How?’’ I look at Jen in amazement.
    ‘‘I told him she’d been eyeing him up all night and she’s up for anything.’’ She sips her drink and the emphasis on ‘anything’ makes me choke on my drink.
    ‘‘Yep, that’ll do it,’’ I laugh. She tilts her bottle towards me and raises her eyebrows casually.
    ‘‘Someone’s heading your way, and he looks interested.’’
    I hate my body for the way a little hope blooms at the thought it could be Alec.
    I glance over my shoulder. It’s not Alec - but it’s not altogether a bad alternative. He’s not as built as Alec, but his hair is darker and his eyes look kind of hazel in the darkness. He’s attractive, and had I not met Alec I’d be up for a flirt.
    Hold up. When did I start comparing everyone to Alec?
    Ugh. I need help.
    ‘‘Carl’s mate from college. He’s called James, and he’s alright.’’ Jen smiles.
    ‘‘I thought you were rooting for Alec?’’ I whisper to her.
    ‘‘Oh, I am. But the thought he might have a bit of competition might give him a kick up the ass.’’ She winks at me and sends a beaming smile over my shoulder. ‘‘Hey, James. How you doin’?’’
    ‘‘Arite, Jen? Not bad maid, you?’’
    His accent is proper Devonshire. Or should that be propurr?
    Okay, Alexis, put the alcohol down.
    ‘‘Yeah, good thanks.’’
    ‘‘Who’s ya friend?’’
    ‘‘Oh, James, this is Lexy, my friend from London. Lexy, this is James.’’
    I turn and realise he’s a lot taller than me. ‘‘Hey. Nice to meet you.’’
    He shakes my hand. ‘‘An’ you, maid. Down for the summer?’’
    ‘‘Yep,’’ I say with a small smile.
    ‘‘James, you seen Carl?’’ Jen interjects.
    ‘‘Yeah, he’s down by the sea talkin’ to the guys.’’
    ‘‘I’ll go and find him, leave you two to get to know each other.’’ She walks past us and throws me a sly smile. I shake my head at her games.
    ‘‘Been ta the Bay before?’’ James asks.
    ‘‘Yeah, used to come every summer. My Gram lives here.’’
    ‘‘That how ya know Jen?’’
    ‘‘Yeah, we used to play together when we were kids.’’
    ‘‘Nice girl.’’ He nods approvingly, his eyes roaming over me. ‘‘Not as nice as you, though.’’
    I’m not comfortable with him. At all. I glance around and I can spy Bing talking to Bianca with his back to me, and Alec is too busy glaring at the side of James’ head to catch my eye.
    ‘‘Got a boyfriend, Lexy?’’
    My name sounds dirty on his lips.
    “Nope, I don’t.”
    I look around and we’re fairly secluded from everyone else. Pretty much everyone here is local and they’re all smart enough not to be by the rocks while they’re drinking.
    “Well then,” James drawls. At least, he tries to. “How about me and you go back there an’ have a little fun?”
    “I’m fine here thanks.” Alarm bells ring in my mind as he steps closer. I step backwards - into the rock.
    I’m backed in and he’s either really drunk, or really stupid. I’d bet a bit