Chapter 18
The rain has finally stopped, and it looks like being closed for an entire week didn’t actually scare off any potential restaurant guests.
Even though the white sand on the beach is still a bit damp and the waves are still rolling in a bit taller than usual, people have started to show up and spread out their beach towels.
The sun feels warm on my shoulders, and I close my eyes for a moment so I can soak in the feeling.
I’m wearing my apron again and I’ve already served the early-morning guests.
Clara and Mia are working on the patio now, too, carrying full trays around while Beatriz whips up smoothies behind the bar.
Juan tends to stop by right after the gym on his way to work, so he’s here, too.
He ditched his workout shirt and has one muscular arm draped over the backrest of the lounge set.
Purrito lies quietly napping on a chair behind the sofa.
How are you feeling, Juan? I ask, putting his That’s Bananas down in front of him.
He leans in and plucks the slice of banana off the edge of the glass.
Popping it into his mouth, he looks at me with raised eyebrows.
Now that you’re here, I feel excellent, he replies, bouncing his eyebrows at me.
Wait... He narrows his eyes and gives me a look of suspicion. Why wouldn’t I be feeling okay?
I quirk the corner of my mouth and shrug. Oh, no reason, I say innocently, glancing over at Purrito who has now rolled onto his back.
When we found the kitten, Juan was coughing like an asthmatic elephant, but he seems completely fine today, even though Purrito is so much closer to him right now than he was at the time.
As I suspected, Juan doesn’t seem to be all that allergic to cats.
That does mean I still need to figure out where his dislike of this little walking fuzzball is coming from.
Mia shows up next to me and shifts her gaze from Juan to Purrito and back. Morning, Juan, she says in the same tone I used just moments ago. How are you feeling?
Juan takes a sip of his smoothie while keeping a suspicious eye on us. Stirring the yellow drink with his straw, he licks his lips.
Great... What’s going on with you two? His eyes flick back and forth between me and Mia. When she looks over to knocked-out little Purrito, Juan follows her gaze and jumps up abruptly. He blasts out a sneeze before giving us an accusing glare.
Oh come on, Juan. You’re not actually allergic, I scold him with a shake of my head.
Except you couldn’t have known that for sure, he says through a tightened jaw.
It seemed like a pretty safe bet when you were practically sitting on top of him without sneezing just now, I reply with a shrug. Why do you hate cats?
Juan lets out a deep sigh and slides into a different seat, as far away from Purrito as possible.
I’m gonna need something stronger to drink if you expect me to share this story, he mumbles, which only makes me more curious.
Juan rolls his eyes, sighs again, and puts his smoothie down. Ugh, fine.
The morning breeze teases his dark blonde hair. He briefly closes his eyes, then stares out into the crashing waves as sombre as a nineteen-year-old war veteran about to report on the trauma of his battle against enemy troops. I’m struggling to keep my laughter contained.
I was really into this one woman for a while. She was stunning: long, blonde hair, ocean-blue eyes. Intelligent, funny, so sweet. Just the peak of elegance.
Wow. Who would have thought Juan could gush about a woman like this?
Plus, she had absolutely huge... You know. He holds his hands out about 10 inches in front of his chest and looks at us with an expression of deep appreciation.
Ahhh, there we go.
I cock an eyebrow. Wrong audience, Juan, I say, shaking my head.
The corners of his mouth drop down again.
Anyway, he continues. After months of my best efforts—sending roses, taking her out for dinners—that special moment finally rolls around.
He scratches at his chin awkwardly. She had a black cat, Nugget, and while we were doing it, he just sat there.
.. By the headboard... With a dead stare in his eyes. Juan visibly shivers.
I have a feeling this is going to be an excellent story and I feel my grin grow wider as Juan runs a hand through his hair.
Then suddenly, he was gone. That obviously worked for me, since I could finally properly enjoy Annabel, who turned out to be an animal in bed.
But then I felt something sharp and looked down to find the stinking beast clinging onto my leg with all of his sharp little nails.
And then he bit me, too. Like, you need to understand that I was naked, so I was scared he would attack.
.. other body parts. So I kicked him off of me.
Mia and I inhale sharply. You kicked him?! we shout out in unison.
Juan makes a here-we-go-again gesture. See, that was Annabel’s response, too. She called me an animal abuser and kicked me out. And sure, I kicked him, but he got me good, too. I still have the scar to prove it! Look! He sticks out a leg and Mia and I bend over it to see.
... where is it? I ask, leaning in a little more so I can study his skin closely.
Riiight here, Juan replies, pointing to a spot on his leg. There’s the tiniest white line visible in-between his blonde leg hair.
That’s it? Mia asks, clearly struggling to stifle a laugh.
Juan rolls his eyes, sinking back into the cushions of the lounge sofa. See, this is exactly why I didn’t want to say anything.
Mia clasps her hand to her mouth. Aww, I’m sorry, Juan. She sits down next to him and presses a kiss to his cheek. I’m sorry to hear that’s how you lost the girl you were in love with.
Juan scoffs. Hey, I never said I was in love. It just ended up being a waste of... Ouch! He looks offended while he rubs the spot where Mia just playfully whacked him in the back of the head. Was that really necessary?
Men... she grumbles, grabbing her tray and getting back to work.
Frustrated, I massage my forehead as I count the register for the day. We’re short again.
After adding up the cash for the third time, my phone beeps at me about a new message. I can’t help but break into a grin when I read the name on my screen.
Elias: So... Is it safe to assume after last week that you don’t hate me anymore?
Eva: Definitely. I still have the paint stains on my clothes to prove it.
Elias: Haha, same here. Do you think they updated the formula for water-based paint to make it more permanent? This stuff is stubborn.
Eva: Right?!
Annoyed, I stare at my reply. I couldn’t have come up with something a little more witty? My phone beeps again.
Elias: Do you remember I asked you a few months ago if you’d like to go diving with me some time? I was wondering (now that we’ve established you no longer hate me) if you’d like to join me this weekend.
Elias: And when I say diving, I really mean snorkelling. Unless you’re a certified diver, but you haven’t mentioned that so far.
What’s with the grin? Mia joins me at the table, holding her close-of-shift drink. Taking a gulp of her drink, she gives me a look of curiosity.
I quickly flip my phone over and put it screen-down on the table. Nothing, I reply, returning my attention to the register. I... Hey!
Mia swipes my phone from the table and unlocks the screen. Her lips curve into a huge grin that slowly slips away as realization sets in. She stares at me with wide eyes. Elias? Not.. Elias Castillo, right?!
When I drop my gaze in embarrassment, she lets out a shocked huff.
Eva! she says in an accusatory tone. I know he’s insanely hot, but he’s such a dick.
He’s not a dick, I jump to his defence. I bite my lip and a warm feeling pools in my chest. He’s... kind and funny. And he... When I notice Mia looking at me like I just grew a tail, I realize she could probably use a little more context, so I fill her in on what’s happened in the past few weeks.
You kissed him?! Twice?! And he came over to paint?! she yells, looking at the white wall behind me. You don’t think he secretly released an army of termites while he was here, do you? I mean, I know he’s cute, but...
I fire an angry glare her way. No, I don’t think he infested us with termites. Believe me, I didn’t give up my membership to the We Hate Los Castillos Club on a whim. I truly don’t believe Elias has any bad intentions toward us.
Mia stares at me, shaking her head. Don’t you think that’s a little... naive?
I cast my eyes down and look at the little stack of money in front of me. This is why I didn’t want to tell her. I knew she’d react this way.
Picking up on my disappointment, she course-corrects a little.
Hey, if he can treat you to a few months of fun in Ibiza, have at it.
A little relaxation never hurt anyone. She pats my hand in a gesture of comfort and suggestively wiggles her eyebrows.
As long as you don’t tell him your deepest secrets, I’m sure things will be fine.
She’s not exactly mincing her words, but I still feel like I should feel a bit relieved. Mia could just as easily have been furious to learn that I’ve been fooling around with the man we used to collectively despise. Even so, I can feel a knot start to form in my stomach.
Because Mia’s words managed to highlight exactly why this thing with Elias isn’t meant to last. I’m due to start my new contract in the Netherlands at the end of September, so I’ll have to head back home. Away from Ibiza, away from the restaurant, away from Abuelo, Abuela, and Mia.
And away from Elias.