“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. Andmore 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 asolotraveler, 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.
Chapter Nineteen
“So, Fernando, how long have you known my sister?” Daphne gives us her full attention, now wide awake.
“Oh, a few weeks. She saved my neck by helping my friend’s cat.”
My heart is hammering so loudly against my chest that I can barely hear Fernando’s words.
“You live in Sequoia Valley?” She drums her fingers against the table.
“I do now. I work at the ice skating rink. But I’m originally from Barcelona.”
