Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
JOEY
“Come on then,” said Vanessa, tugging Joey’s hand. “Where are you taking me?”
Joey smiled at her companion’s eagerness. Then she grimaced. “I’m taking you where all the tourists go. I usually avoid it like the plague during the summer because, well, it’s full of tourists.” She winked at Vanessa.
“Charming!” Vanessa poked her tongue out, and an image flashed across Joey’s mind, a vivid memory of precisely what Vanessa had done with that tongue the night before.
“But because I like you, and because you deserve to see all the bits of Barcelona, I am willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and take you there myself.” Joey ushered Vanessa down into the depths of the metro.
“I’m still waiting,” said Vanessa, tapping her toe as they got on the train.
“Ok,” said Joey. “We’re going to Park Güell.”
“Yes!” Vanessa punched the air like she’d scored a goal. “That’s been on my list since we arrived.”
“You’re welcome,” said Joey, unable to hide her smile even though she knew the crowds would be ridiculous.
“Wow.” Vanessa’s mouth dropped open as they walked into the park, having paid for their tickets at the entrance.
Joey looked across at her, appreciating the enjoyment on Vanessa’s face.
She remembered the first time she’d been here.
Carmen had made it her business to introduce Joey to Barcelona, and this was one of the places they had gone.
She could imagine her own stunned expression on first entering was probably not dissimilar to Vanessa’s.
“The colours,” said Vanessa, finally.
“I know.” Joey put her hand in Vanessa’s and stood with her.
They turned slowly, both of them taking in the organically shaped buildings, the colourful tiles and the topsy-turvy architecture.
“Antoni Gaudi is responsible for how the world views Barcelona, and this is a great example of his work. Look.”
Vanessa looked towards a giant lizard sparkling in turquoise, blue, red and aquamarine tiles. “That’s beautiful.”
The pair walked around the space, taking in the way the buildings seemed to blend into the hillside, despite their bright colours.
“Gaudi was actually commissioned to build this place for the aristocrats of the early nineteen hundreds to live in.” Joey stopped to point out the grand staircase and the colonnades.
“People lived here?” Vanessa’s eyes were like saucers.
“Well, not quite,” said Joey. “I think only two houses were actually completed by nineteen fourteen, and the economy had changed. In nineteen twenty the government turned it into the park you see today.”
“Perhaps we could live here.” Vanessa skipped along the pavement like someone who didn’t have a care in the world. Joey looked around them, assuming that people would stare at a grown woman skipping around an old Catalan treasure. But most people were just going about their own touristy ways.
And yes, it was packed to the rafters with people. But somehow, being there with Vanessa, today it didn’t bother Joey.
“Come on,” called Vanessa from further up the path.
“I’m coming.” Joey quickened her step. “But I’m not skipping!”
“Wimp,” replied Vanessa with a laugh.
After they had explored, they found a place to sit and watch the world go by.
“Thank you for bringing me here.” Vanessa placed her hand on Joey’s bare knee, below the hem of her shorts.
Joey felt a warmth beyond the summer heat. “You’re welcome.” She took a breath. “Can I be honest?”
“Of course.” Vanessa looked intently at Joey.
“I thought I was going to hate being here. I thought the crowds and tourists would get to me.” Joey gestured to the people around them. “But being here with you, it’s like they don’t exist.”
Vanessa smiled. She didn’t speak, but instead leaned forward and planted a kiss on Joey’s cheek.
“You are very cute,” said Vanessa.
Joey felt herself blush from her toes to the tips of her ears. “Cute?”
“Yes,” insisted Vanessa. “Cute.” She looked at Joey with her head to one side. “And very, very hot.”
Joey leaned forward and kissed Vanessa on the lips, and she was certain that at this very moment, she was in exactly the right place with exactly the right person.