Chapter 18 #2
“I would if I were you. Even though it’s slightly overcast, you can still burn easily. Do you want some help with your back?”
“Yes, please,” I squeak. “Let me grab the sunscreen bottle.”
I flee to the bathroom, practically collapsing against the wall the second I’m out of sight.
I need to calm down. It’s just a man’s body.
Nothing I haven’t seen before. Except . .
. it’s not just any body. It’s a fitness-model-meets-figure-skater kind of body, and pretending otherwise is pointless.
I snort softly to myself and fan my face, taking a few deep breaths before I head back out.
“Here it is. Sorry for the hold up,” I say a minute later, waving the bottle. “I forgot I’d repacked it.”
Fernando gestures to one of the dining chairs. “Sit. It’ll be easier.”
I awkwardly shimmy out of the top of my dress and settle into the chair, exposing my back.
A second later, I hear the squirt of the bottle, and then his hands are on me, spreading the sunscreen with a touch that’s somehow both careful and confident.
His palms are warm, and he uses just the right amount of pressure, like he actually knows what he’s doing.
“You lied to me,” I mumble, eyes fluttering shut. “You said you were lousy at massages. You’re not.”
He chuckles. “This doesn’t count. It’s not a proper massage.”
“Say what you will. Now that I know your secret, if I wake up with a bad back tomorrow, I’m putting you to work.”
“Or you could visit the spa again.”
“I don’t want to make your aunt spend more than she already has.”
“Ava, don’t worry about the money. In fact, Tía Yesenia would be offended if you didn’t take advantage of another day at the spa if you want it.
She certainly would.” I hear the cap being replaced on the bottle.
“I think she intended for these next few days to be treated like we’re on a couple’s retreat. ”
“That would explain the bed situation.” My eyes widen. “We’re supposed to be a couple who’ve only known each other for a few short weeks. If you ask me, it’s pretty bold for her to assume we’re on that intimate a level.” I pull the top of the dress back over my swimsuit.
“My tía is determined to do everything in her power to speed up our relationship. She wants to see me happy and settled.”
I want those things for him too. Although, I’m not sure about the settled part. “Remember, you’ll be the first woman to meet the family since Isabel.”
My stomach muscles clench. I had forgotten about that. “Your family is going to think that we’re a hop, skip, and jump away from getting engaged.”
“I know.” He places his hands on top of his head.
“We’re going to have to ramp things up from a simmer to a boil. We’ll have to get comfortable with more hand holding, kissing, sharing inside jokes—the things actual couples do.”
Which I don’t mind in the least. We may be fake dating, but there’s nothing fake about how my feelings are growing for this man.
If he needs me to be here for him, I will.
I make a note to call my hotel in Barcelona to cancel my reservation.
All my plans for my second week here are going to have to be placed on hold.
“I don’t know, Ava. I’m starting to think this whole idea was stupid.
I should just come clean to my family.” The muscles in Fernando’s body have tensed.
He carries his stress in his shoulders. He’s also chewing on his lower lip again, a nervous habit I’ve noticed he does when he’s worried about something.
“Do you want your aunts off your back or not?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts.” I cut him off. “We’re doing this. It’s settled. End of discussion.” I’m in my determined mode and bold enough to pat him on the pecs. They’re rock-hard. “Now, let’s go. We’re wasting time being up here.”
The resort’s private beach is massive. There’s a long stretch of pristine, fine white sand along a piece of beautiful untouched ocean. The tide is low right now. Near the shore, I spot some exposed tide pools and long, straggly strips of seaweed. A few seagulls cry overhead.
There are two rows of beach chairs shaded by umbrellas about twenty feet from the water’s edge. Since it’s early December, there’s a noticeably thin crowd. I count about ten people. It’s a welcome relief. I’ll be able to make a call to my sister and not have to worry about bothering anyone.
I remove my phone from my pocket and tap Daphne’s name.
She answers the video request on the third ring.
“Good morning, Daph. How goes it?” She’s dressed in her bathrobe.
Her back is turned to me, her attention focused on the stove.
She scoops a pancake out of the frying pan and deposits it onto a plate, turning off the burner.
“It goes.” She hides a yawn with her hand. “Where are you?” She squints at the screen. “Is that the ocean?”
“Uh-huh. I’m just outside Valencia.” I flip the camera around, panning the length of the beach.
“It looks so pretty.” Daphne sighs. “I wish I could be there with you right now.” She pulls her robe tighter around her body. “We had our first snowfall last night. I’m not looking forward to going outside and shoveling the driveway when I take the kids to school.”
“Can you talk Brian into doing it for you?”
She shakes her head as she sits down. “He’s out of town until Tuesday.
Anyhow, I’ve been dying to get the four-one-one on your trip.
How has everything really been going? I can’t believe you decided to rent a car and drive yourself around!
No offense, but you’re the last person I ever expected to do something like that. ”
“Things have been good.” I turn the camera back to me and selectively fill her in on some of my adventures.
She chews and swallows a bite of her pancake. “Well color me impressed! A week ago, you’d never left the country, and now, you’re a pro.”
“How’s the office redecorating going? And my Max?”
“Your dog is fine, and mums the word on the office.”
“Daphne, come on, that’s not fair. Throw your poor sister a bone.”
“Fine.” She sips her coffee. “I let Vicki pick out the paint color for the break room.”
I wrinkle my nose. “What color?”
“That’s all you’re getting from me. You’ll have to wait and see.”
I roll my eyes. I get that Daphne wants me to be surprised, but I do want to make sure everything is on track. This is my business.
“Ava,” my sister starts, “don’t be like that.”
“Like what?”
“Annoyed with me. I do interior decorating for a living. And more importantly, I’ve known you since the day you were born.
Aside from Mom, there’s nobody who knows your likes and preferences better than me.
Trust your big sis. Your only job right now is to soak up as much Spanish sun as you can and enjoy being man free. ”
I nearly choke as she says that, but turn it into a cough. “You’re right.”
Daphne studies me for a moment, then leans in closer to the screen. “Ava, you’re enjoying this trip as a solo traveler, aren’t you? Please tell me you didn’t pick up a random guy to get over Devon.”
“You mean Dylan. And no, I haven’t.” It’s not a complete lie. Fernando isn’t a stranger. I swallow hard.
“Good.” She relaxes. “Because I want you to—”
“Ava! I was looking for you.” I close my eyes and slip lower down the chair. “I’ve locked myself out of our room, do you mind if I borrow your card key? I couldn’t get a spare from the front desk without an ID.” Of all the times for Fernando to materialize, it has to be now.
“Ava, who is that?” Daphne asks. “It sounded like a guy.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were on the phone.”
“It’s just my sister,” I say quickly, opening my eyes and shoving my hand into my pocket.
“Ava, who is that?!” Daphne repeats, her voice more tense.
My hands close around the thin plastic card. I pull it out and shove it into a dripping wet Fernando’s hand just as he leans over and waves to my sister. His smile is wide and unassuming. “Hola. You must be Daphne. I’m Fernando. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise.” Her tone is polite, but there’s a hint of anger she can’t hide from me. “Except I’m afraid my sister has been holding out on me. She hasn’t said anything about you.”
I’m a spider tangled in her own web of lies. Daphne’s eyes look like they want to shoot lasers at me. I wish I could disappear.