Chapter Twelve
We spend the night in Seville and leave for Granada a little after six. It’s about a two-hour and forty-minute trip.
“If it’s okay with you, there’s one sight in Granada that’s a must-see, the Alhambra. It’ll be busy by the afternoon, so I was thinking the best plan of attack is to get there right at opening. How does that sound?” Fernando asks.
“You’re the tour guide. I trust you.” I check the navigation screen, making sure we’re still following the correct route.
His eyes dart over to me. “Have you ever heard of it?”
“No,” I admit. “I haven’t gotten that far in the guidebook. Is it a museum?”
“Not quite, but close. The Alhambra is a Moorish fortress perched high on a hill above the city. There’s some hiking involved, but the architecture, grounds, and views from the top are spectacular. They more than make up for the work of getting there.”
“That sounds awesome. I can’t wait.” I glance at my feet and hope my shoes are going to hold up. I noticed yesterday that I’mstarting to develop a hole in the heel from all the walking we’ve been doing.
At last count, my phone said we were averaging about 18,000 steps a day. That’s what I get for getting a cheapo brand from Val-U-Mart. At least it’s not blisters. I’ll have to pick up another pair of shoes sometime today.
We park in the main lot outside the gates and follow the line of tourists wandering toward the main entrance, waiting for the site to open.
“So, I’ve been doing some thinking,” I say as Fernando pulls up our tickets on his phone.
“About?”
“Your matchmaking family.”
“Mm-hmm,” he grunts, continuing to stay interested in what’s on the screen.
All night, my mind replayed our conversation yesterday, recalling how uncomfortable Fernando was about his family’s interference with his love life. I’ve been looking for a way to repay him. Here’s my big opportunity. “Now this may sound a little crazy, but hear me out.”
He lifts his head, clicks off the device, and shoves it in his pocket.
“Back in Denver, you did me a solid by acting like my boyfriend in front of Dylan.”
“Uh-huh.” I can see the wheels in his head beginning to turn, wondering where I’m going with this.
“I was thinking, what if we did a one-eighty and changed roles? I’d be your fake girlfriend. I can’t stay here as long as you since I need to get back to my practice, but I thought if we could put on a show for your family, for let’s say a week, it might be enough to convince your mom and aunts to leave you alone. What do you think?”
A few moments of silence pass between us. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down. “Ava,” he starts, his voice coming out slightly hoarse, “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but the answer is no. It’d be a waste of your vacation. I’m not worth it.”
“Yes, you are.” I knew there was a good chance he’d put up a fight. Luckily, I have a few counterarguments. “Look, I’ll get a good amount of sightseeing in this week. I don’t need to see everything in Spain. Besides, it’s my time. I’ll spend it how I see fit.” I cross my arms.
“It’ll be stressful, like a modern Spanish inquisition,” he warns. “Mamá and my tías will ask you lots of personal questions. They’ll want to know everything there is to know about you.”
“I can handle a few days of that,” I challenge.
“You also won’t have any alone time.”
“Again, I can handle it.”
He places his hands atop his head and blows out air, staring at me for a full minute. “Is there anything I can say to convince you how terrible this idea is?”
“No.”
“What if I bribed you? Name your price.”
“Fernando, stop. I want to do this for you,” I urge, placing a hand on his forearm.
He studies me before saying slowly, “If we do this, I want you to know you can change your mind at any time. All you have to do is say the word and we’ll end it.”
