Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mamá Alvarez is waiting for me when I return downstairs. She doesn’t ask me how my conversation with Fernando went, but she doesn’t have to. If something were truly amiss, I’m positive she’d sense it in my body language.
“I have you in a suite on the third floor.”
“Oh, um, I’d be happy to stay with Fernando. You don’t need to give me my own room,” I say, before my brain catches up with my mouth. My cheeks sear with heat.
Fernando’s mother smiles, but it’s the kind that doesn’t invite debate. “You’re my guest, mija. You get your own space. Besides, unlike my sisters, my husband and I prefer to keep things old-fashioned under this roof.”
“I understand,” I say. Physically and emotionally drained, as soon as I enter the suite, and lay on the bed, I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When I awake the next morning, there’s a text from Fernando.
Fernando: Good morning, Ava. I hope you slept well. I’m heading off to the rink for the morning session so I can clear my head before I meet with Isabel. I hope you don’t mind being on your own for a couple hours. I should be back by noon.
The message was sent at four forty-five a.m. It’s about seven-thirty now. Was Isabel on his mind all evening? What are they going to discuss? He’s blocked off an awful lot of time to spend with her. I place my phone down and take several deep breaths.
What am I doing? Of course there’s nothing going on between them.
He hasn’t spoken to her since their engagement ended.
The only reason they crossed paths is because of Mr. Alvarez.
Their breakfast has to be more like a business meeting.
Fernando couldn’t have been any clearer that their relationship is a thing of the past.
Feeling better, I pop into the shower and change. But not before I send him a quick reply.
Ava: See you when you get back.
I head down to the breakfast room on the ground floor and a few of the B&B guests enjoying the offerings Mamá Alvarez has laid out. There are eggs, tomatoes, omelets, potatoes, and a few bready-looking items. Deciding to stick to what I know best, I choose the omelet.
“Good morning, Ava. I hope you slept well,” Mamá Alvarez says, setting down a large pot of coffee on the side table as I fill my plate.
“I did, thanks. The room you gave me is so homey.”
“Glad to hear it. I know Fernando mentioned you have your own plans, but you’re welcome to stay with us as long as you like. We make an excellent home base.”
“Thank you,” I say, reaching for a coffee cup. “Originally, I was planning to head to Barcelona for the last four days of my trip. But now that I’m here, I think two days should be plenty.”
“Sí, sí. Barcelona is exciting, but we’d much rather have you here with us.” Mamá Alvarez’s eyes dance in excitement.
A paying B&B guest interrupts us, asking Mamá Alvarez if she could refill the hot water. She excuses herself while I take a seat, thankful for a few moments to wake myself up. I need to make sure I’m on my A game to continue playing the part of Fernando’s loving girlfriend.
A few minutes later, Mamá Alvarez returns and joins me at my table. “My son snuck away before I was up,” she says, folding her hands on the tabletop.
“He did. He said he’s going to skate this morning, but he’ll be back by lunch.”
“That’s always his favorite place to think.” She sighs, not mentioning Isabel. “What about you? What are your plans this morning?”
“I’m not sure. I was thinking of wandering around Santa Luz and soaking in a little sun at the beach.”
“You know, one of the most interesting places is the market. My sisters usually go with me, but they’re both busy today. It’s unfortunate. There’s a lot of items on my list and I could use another pair of hands. You wouldn’t be interested in coming, would you?”
I thought she’d strong-arm me into going, but at least she’s phrased it as a polite request. “I’d love to.”
“Perfecto.” She claps her hands together. “We’ll leave soon. There are so many people to show you off—er, introduce you to!”
“Great,” I say through my teeth. It was a trap.
I should’ve known better than to assume the market would mean one stop.
I have to remember I’m not in California anymore.
I’m in Spain. People here prefer to visit a baker, a butcher, and other individual shops every few days to pick up their groceries.
I’d better make sure I wear comfy walking shoes.
Later that afternoon, I receive a text from Fernando.
Fernando: I’m back.
Ava: *Thumbs-up emoji* Hope you had a great session.
Fernando: I did! Have you already grabbed some lunch?
Ava: No. If you’re up for it, I’d love to go out.
Fernando: Great, I’ll meet you in the lobby.
I wince at the suggestion.
Ava: Um, is there a more discreet place we can meet?
Fernando: ???
Ava: There are a few people I’d like to avoid for an hour or two.
Fernando: Mamá?
Ava: And your aunts.
Fernando: Should I even ask?
I snort.
Ava: She took me to the market this morning.
Fernando: That’s not too bad.
Ava: We went to what felt like literally every shop in town. I shook so many hands that I could’ve charged people a quarter each and made some serious money.
Fernando: Oh!
Ava: Yeah. I think I’ve met every shop vendor in Santa Luz. We got back a half hour ago. Your aunts popped into the B&B and wanted to take me on “a few other errands,” but I said I wanted to rest first.
Fernando: I’ll rescue you from Mamá. Let’s meet in your room. We’ll sneak out the back.
Ava: That sounds like something Aladdin would say.
Fernando: Who do you think I got it from?
Ava: See you soon, Prince Ali.
“Even though it was a ton of work, you made Mamá happy. She’s always wanted a daughter to spoil, and you’re the closest she’s come,” Fernando says as he opens the gate to a restaurant right off the beach.
“I just hope we don’t break her heart when we split up. I was thinking maybe we should wait for you to make that announcement once you’re back in the States.”
We select one of the tables on the patio. A waiter comes out with some water and bread.
“I think you’re right. For once in my life, it’s been fantastic not to have to worry about being set up by the tías.”
“Don’t get too excited. My Spanish may not be great, but it looked and sounded to me like your aunts were looking for ways to get us to spend more time together so you can hurry up and propose to me.”
He groans and opens the napkin with the silverware and places it on his lap. “At least we can escape to Barcelona tomorrow.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Your hair looks nice by the way,” he says. “I mean, it always has, but I like it when you wear it down.”
My cheeks warm as I run a hand through the ends of my hair.
One of Mamá Alvarez’s appointments this morning was at a salon.
I felt awkward standing around waiting for her and agreed to a haircut.
As loath as I am to admit this, it was relaxing to have the hairdresser massage my scalp as he washed it, trimmed it, and gave me a few lowlights.
When I saw the end result in the mirror, I couldn’t stop smiling. I may have only had two inches taken off, but my hair felt so light. It’s the closest I’ve ever come to a glow up. I didn’t think Fernando would even notice. But now that he has, I may consider wearing my hair down more often.
We decide to split a platter of the local seafood offerings. I’m not the biggest fan of crab and shellfish, but since Fernando made the effort to bring us here specifically for those dishes, I bite my tongue and give in. “How was your skating session this morning?”
“It was great! My first coach, Mr. Rodriguez, was there. I can’t believe he’s still coaching. We spent a long time catching up.”
He mentions learning things like flying camels, triple toes, and a death spiral, but they’re all lost on me. I make a note to watch a couple SearchTube videos to start teaching myself a little more about his sport.
Not long after, the food arrives. I change tactics and casually slip in the question I’ve been dying to ask him since he returned. “And what about your breakfast meeting? How did that go?” I ask, helping myself to a piece of fried calamari.
“It was . . . good. Healing, in fact.” Fernando’s face softens. “Isabel’s changed. Our conversation today reminded me why I fell in love with her.”
“That’s good,” I lie. I reach for my water glass and take a long sip.
“We’ve arranged to meet again the day after tomorrow.”
I force a smile onto my face. “I’m so happy to hear that.”
“The only thing is, Ava, it means changing our plans again.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I can still take you to Barcelona tomorrow, but if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to clear my schedule for Isabel in case lunch runs long.”
“I understand,” I choke out. I knew it! It’s only a matter of time before he gets back together with her.
Fernando’s heart has never been up for grabs.
It’s always belonged to her. That’s the real reason he never wanted to be in another relationship.
It’s romantic. But it doesn’t dull the pain. I selfishly wanted him for me.
“You know what, Fernando, why don’t you plan to spend the rest of the week with her? A day might not be enough time for you guys.”
“Ava?”
“It might work out better for both of us,” I lie through my teeth. The tears are threatening to fall. “I won’t feel like I have to rush to see Barcelona. And you won’t have to rush your visit with Isabel. It’s a win-win.”
“But Ava . . .” His brow forms a deep V.