Chapter 40
40
STELLA
I was on my way to the restaurant for my debrief with Jasmine. Max had messaged ten minutes ago to say she’d be ready to meet me in half an hour and he was heading to our villa to shower and start packing.
With the final surprise date that Max had arranged in just a few hours, we wouldn’t have time later so that was a good idea.
Knowing that I also had a lot of packing to do, I decided to get to the restaurant earlier just in case Jasmine was free.
When I arrived, there was no one at the front desk and the restaurant was empty. Laughter sounded from the kitchen, then Jasmine appeared with a massive smile on her face and a chef followed behind her.
Interesting…
I caught them staring into each other’s eyes, still smiling, and wondered if they were together.
The sound of a text notification boomed around the room and their heads snapped to the door where I was standing.
‘Stella!’ Jasmine’s eyes bulged. ‘I wasn’t expecting you until four. ’
‘Sorry.’ I backed away. ‘I can come back if you like?’
‘No, no.’ She waved her hand. ‘Let’s get started.’
‘I will see you later?’ the chef said.
‘Yes.’ She switched back into professional mode. ‘If you could have everything prepared for around seven, that’d be perfect.’
He nodded, then returned to the kitchen.
‘Sorry about that.’ Jasmine pulled out a chair at a table by the window, sat down and invited me to join her.
‘No need to apologise. Er, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you two together ?’
I knew it was none of my business, but I was curious. And seeing as I knew Jasmine was about to grill me about my own love life and seemed friendly, I thought it was worth asking.
Okay, so I was nosy. It wasn’t a crime.
‘With Alejandro? Oh, no!’ Jasmine shuffled uncomfortably in her seat. ‘He’s much younger than me.’
‘So?’ I replied. ‘He’s handsome and was definitely looking at you like he was interested.’
Alejandro had thick dark hair and olive skin. I wasn’t sure if he was Spanish, but he had an accent. And as much as Jasmine tried to deny it, I could tell she was attracted to him.
‘He doesn’t see me like that.’ She waved her hand dismissively. ‘Alejandro’s my colleague . Well, technically he reports to me for client events so there’s that whole power dynamic thing too, which is why we absolutely could never get involved. He’s strictly off limits.’
‘Right,’ I said, thinking there was no way they didn’t want to get it on. There were so many sparks flying between them I was surprised the restaurant hadn’t caught fire.
‘Anyway.’ Jasmine pulled a notepad out of her handbag. ‘My love life isn’t important right now. What I’d like to know is how everything is with you . Obviously today’s your last full day here, so I wanted to have a catch up. How are you feeling: about going home tomorrow?’
‘Sad. Wish I could stay. I know that sounds crazy, considering how much I wanted to leave that first night.’
‘I get it. Seeing Max for the first time after all those years was a shock. But you stayed and worked through it. You should both be really proud of yourselves.’
‘Thanks.’
‘And how are things with Max, romantically speaking?’
‘Great, actually. We’ve reconnected really well.’
‘It certainly seemed that way! I was so glad when you two got together.’
‘Yeah. Sorry again about the whole massage incident .’
‘No need. I got the feeling you needed a little nudge, so I was happy to lend a hand…’ she smirked.
‘What do you mean?’ I frowned and Jasmine raised an eyebrow. A light bulb went off in my head. ‘Wait. No way ! Did you plan that? Did Olga really have a call?’
‘It’s funny because I was sure she did. But when we got back to the office, the line had miraculously gone dead. It was the strangest thing…’ Jasmine’s cheeks quivered like she was trying to stifle a smile.
‘You set us up!’ I gasped before bursting out laughing.
‘I cannot confirm or deny,’ she smiled. ‘But we’re called Love Alchemists for a reason. We’re experts at creating situations which allow magical things to happen.’
Mind blown.
I had to hand it to Jasmine. I had no idea.
I wondered if Jasmine had deliberately orchestrated other things like sending me on the Caminito del Rey walk knowing that I’d be scared and Max would step in and help me.
And now that I thought about it, I reckoned she deliberately showed us that shitty hotel room, knowing that we’d choose to stay in the luxury villa together instead.
Sneaky. But genius . I was glad she’d done her alchemy thing.
‘Thank you. I’ve had the best time and Max is… amazing .’
I didn’t even need to look in a mirror to know I had the biggest heart eyes. Every time I thought about him, I swooned.
‘He’s definitely a keeper. Speaking of which, what are your plans? Are you going to continue your relationship in London?’
Good question.
‘What did Max say?’
‘Sorry but I can’t share what he told me. These one-to-ones are confidential.’
Dammit. I guessed if I really wanted to know, I had to ask him.
We’d need to have a proper chat. I knew that originally we’d agreed that we’d enjoy each other whilst we were here, then walk away. But that was before, right? Maybe he’d changed his mind.
I got the feeling Max wanted to raise it on the beach earlier, but then Jasmine called.
‘I understand.’
‘I really do hope you do stay together, though. You two have something special.’
I thought we did too. But it took two to tango.
‘If you don’t mind, I’d like to check in with you again in a few weeks, once you’re back home. See how things are going. Would that be okay?’
‘Course,’ I said.
‘Great! Well, that’s all for now. I know you must have packing to do so I’ll let you go. The hotel will send a feedback questionnaire in the next couple of days which we’d love you to complete ASAP whilst everything’s still fresh in your mind. Enjoy your date tonight!’
After I left the restaurant, I made my way to the villa.
Although I had to pack, there was something more important I needed to do first.
It was time to have a chat with Max. To find out if he wanted to change our agreement and give this relationship thing a try. I knew I did.
I just had to hope that he felt the same way…