“I hate to end it here, but we have to check out by one.” Fernando sighs. “If we want to fit a shower in, we should head back now. It’s almost noon.”
“Where did the time go?” We stand and brush the sand off our bodies.
“You, uh, still have a little sand on your cheek,” Fernando tells me.
I use the back of my hand to brush it. “Better?”
“No, it’s still there.” He glances at me. “May I?”
I nod.
Tenderly, he reaches up and brushes a patch of skin under my eye. His touch sends a shiver of delight through my body.
“There. It’s all gone now.” His voice is as soft and smooth as velvet.
“Thanks,” I whisper.
We stare at one another a few moments longer. The Adam’s apple in his throat constricts. “Ava.” He starts moving an inch closer to my body. “I’ve, um, been doing a lot of thinking recently, and I’m ready to, er...”
“Yes?”
“To, um...” He breaths deeply. “Why is this so hard?” His eyes flutter and he tries again. “I’d like to, um, make you my number-one friend,” he blurts out quickly. “And by that, I?—”
“Fernando! Ava! What fortunate timing!”
We jump back from each other, and our heads snap in the direction of the pathway leading up to the lobby.
Sitting in the driver’s seat of a golf cart in a red pantsuit, like a fox who’s found a free meal, is a woman I recognize as Fernando’s aunt Yesenia.
Chapter Twenty
It takes a few seconds for my body to calm down. I’m dying to ask Fernando why I’ve suddenly propelled to the top of his friend list, but for now I’ll have to wait. I exhale deeply and school my face in a way I hope doesn’t appear too frustrated.
After all, not only is his aunt the one who’s footing the bill for the last few days, but she’s also one of the people we need to convince that we’re the real deal. My hand reaches for Fernando’s. I shuffle closer to him, lace my fingers to his, and squeeze tightly, reassuring him I’m ready for the show to begin.
“Tía Yesenia!” he calls.
She backs the golf cart up and redirects it down the path, parking next to us. She points to her cheek. “I’m still wet, I don’t want to get your suit dirty,” Fernando says.
“Don’t let that stop you. Clothing can be cleaned. Go on already. Give your favorite tía what she wants. I haven’t seen you in over a year!” He does as he’s told. Directing her attention to me, Tía Yesenia holds her arms open and looks at me expectantly. “You too, Ava. You’re practically part of the family.”
Her words cause Fernando to cough. He drops my hand, and Iwrap my arms around Tía Yesenia. Over her shoulder, I mouth“relax”to him. He gives the slightest bob of the head.
Greetings exchanged, I return to Fernando’s side. He drapes his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to his body. “What are you doing here, Tía? Did Mamá send you?”
Tía Yesenia laughs. “I’m not here as her spy. I have a meeting with the hotel’s management. I’m presenting some concept drawings today for the expansion wing. Meeting you here is just a coincidence.”
“Mm-hmm,” he says, not totally convinced.
“Would you two care for a ride back to the lobby? I’m heading that way myself.”
“We’d love it,” I answer, knowing she wants time to speak to us.
“Fantástico. Ava, you sit up front with me. Fernando, you can have the back.”
I take my seat next to her. “Thank you again for gifting us the chance to stay here. The last two days have been a dream.”
She perks up in her seat, backing up and starting the cart toward the main building. “It was nothing. I just hope you had some quality alone time together. Goodness knows you won’t get much of it when you reach Santa Luz.”
