8. Chapter 8
Chapter eight
The Beaux
Federico strolled in line with Ana and Julian over the cobblestone walkway. Natalia fell behind with a reluctant Lucia by her side.
“Should we not wait for Juan?” Lucia shouted.
But Federico and Julian seemed set on moving forward up the shoreline road with Ana attached to Julian’s arm. Federico glanced down at her, and his jaw tensed. Was it hatred toward her or something else that played across his features?
Ana caught the end of town approaching and still hadn’t thought up a way to rid herself of her companions. “Perhaps we should stop at the beach.”
“There’s a café locals like to go to nearby,” Julian suggested. “I’m sure it’s much too rustic for a senorita of your station.”
“I would like to try the local fair,” Ana snapped.
A muscle in Federico’s cheek ticked, but he eyed Ana and nodded. The party crossed the road where the faint melody of a guiterna danced across the sea breeze. Murmurs suggested that Julian had been correct in his assertion about locals gathering in this part of town.
Natalia, to her credit, remained behind with Lucia, though she gazed longingly from the far side of the road they had yet to cross.
“Go on ahead,” Lucia called. “Surely Juan will catch up to us, and we’ll join you. Right, Natalia?”
The pitiful nod Natalia gave did nothing to slow Julian and Federico.
In no time, the three found a table around a dance floor at the local establishment, quaintly named Quebonita Vista.
A handful of couples danced to a local song, spinning in circles and twisting into their partners’ arms. Ana had never seen such a thing before, but she found herself mesmerized by the way the ladies’ dresses spun and how romantically they gazed into each other’s eyes as they promenaded about the floor.
Julian cut into her gawking and asked, “Do you want fish soup and bread? It’s their specialty.” With the nod of Ana’s head, Julian glanced at Federico and hesitated to move, but soon left to a back counter to order the food.
Federico’s dark eyes watched Ana intently. “So, is Julian your intended?”
Though it was softly spoken, she could hear the pain in every word and feel the expectation burning in his gaze.
“He is not.” Ana met Federico’s stare, wishing she could shout at him how much she missed their friendship.
He visibly exhaled. “I’m assuming you had other motives for an evening walk.” Federico tipped a wry smile in place that softened his features into the same boyish one she recognized. “Perhaps it has more to do with your sky gazing?”
Julian returned. “Sorry I took so long. The bread wasn’t ready.” He dropped three bowls of soup on the table and a platter with a loaf of bread.
“What of the Sevillas?” Federico added much too quickly.
Julian’s eyebrows furrowed in agitation. “Of course.”
The moment Julian strode out of earshot, Federico leaned forward. “Dance with me.”
“But I don’t know the dances.”
“We’ll figure it out together. Isn’t that how we’ve always done things?” A glint of mischief sparked across his face. “Don’t you recall the first time you flew?”
How could Ana forget? The memory of Federico throwing her on a dragon’s back and her dress ripping from top to bottom brought heat to her cheeks.
She had begged Federico for weeks to teach her how to race like him, but he had refused her time and time again.
One day, he gave in to her pleas with the same tug on his lips.
Federico reached his hand around the warm bread and soups with an open palm, asking for her to accept his invitation to dance.
She glanced over at the back counter where Julian waited in a long line of constituents and then slipped her delicate fingers in Federico’s palm.
He wrapped his hand around hers in a firm but gentle grip.
She twirled onto the center of the floor, following the rhythm of the guiterna and bongos.
More musicians arrived, adding layers of rhythmic music meant for a couple’s dance.
Federico lifted her arm in the air and fitted her other hand in his as they slowly stepped in a circle in each other’s embrace.
She shifted to peek at the other dance partners to make sure she did the right motions, then returned her attention upward to Federico, who now was much too close.
Her heart pounded faster than the beat of the music, which caused her to stumble.
She tripped over Federico’s foot, having not noticed a shift in the movements. Federico grasped her back, pulling her up and correcting her position. The place where he touched burned and remained tingly long after he settled back into the original position.
“Ana,” he said huskily. “I miss you.”
A tear pearled at the corner of her eyes. She opened her mouth, chin shaking with all the pent-up sentiments she’d held for three years.
But then the music stopped.
“What a dance.” Lucia shouted from the table and clapped with far too much enthusiasm. “Juan, we need to try that one after we’re done with the soup.”
Federico cut in front of Ana and gently squeezed her hand. “Just tell me one thing. Did someone stop you from writing to me?”
“No,” she said without thinking.
His full lips pressed together into a thin line, unable to conceal complete disappointment.
“No, that’s not what I mean. I—”
“You don’t have to invent stories to try and make me feel better.” He walked her to their companions and sat behind an empty bowl.
Ana took the available seat beside Julian, which had surely been arranged by her sister to ensure a possible match.
Lucia confirmed Ana’s supposition with a gentle wink.
It distracted Ana from the heart pounding in her ears at how she’d messed up her moment to talk to Federico, making another opportunity look less and less likely to transpire.
Julian leaned over to Ana, “Do you want to—”
“I need air.” Ana stood abruptly, garnering the attention of the other four members at the table, and stormed out of the establishment. Though she’d broken every rule in polite society, the stuffy room was suffocating her, and all she wanted to do was find Celestia and cry.
Once the warm breeze brushed across her face, Ana slowed her pace along the boardwalk.
“Ana, wait.” Julian called from behind her.
She should be kind to him. He hadn’t a clue what had transpired or why she wanted to go on a walk in the first place.
“What’s wrong?” The tender note in Julian’s voice knifed guilt into her soul at how she had teased him with her attentions, when she really desired Federico’s.
She wiped her cheeks and spun to face Julian who, though handsome, was not Federico. The thought of marrying Julian for the financial security seemed … wrong.
“I’m going ahead to the field across the street,” Ana said. “I’ll be back.” She strode without a backward glance.
Julian caught up to her quickly. “I can’t let you go alone.”
A thread of annoyance marked her stride, but she wouldn’t shoo him away when he was being a gentleman. “I hope you don’t mind dragons.”
His step faltered, but he kept pace. “Aren’t foreign beasts known for eating strangers?”
“It rarely happens.”
“But there was a recent case the other day in Lourdes City when a man confused another beast for his own.”
“Perhaps you can wait at the side of the road. I’m sure Celestia is waiting for me.”
“What if Celesipee doesn’t approve of me? Haven’t there been cases where they burn rider companions?” Something moved in the shadows ahead and Julian screeched.