“Sí, that’s the gist of it. My parents are close to Isabel’s parents. They’d hoped we’d settle here and take over running the B&B.” He stands and walks over to a framed photo on the side table, picking it up and running his fingers along the edge. “Except that dream flew out the door when Isabel ended it. Mamá has moved on, but Papá hasn’t.”
He takes a deep breath. “In his eyes, coaching in small-town America is a huge step down from the B&B. Every time I comehome, he looks for ways to convince me I’ve made a huge mistake and should change my mind. I love the man, but it’s frustrating beyond belief.”
“He should respect that you are your own man, and he can’t make decisions about how you live your life.”
“We’ve spoken about it, but what I have to say goes in one ear and out the other.” He sets the frame down. “I’ve given up trying to change his mind. Just as with my tías, it’s not worth the energy to put up a fight.”
“I don’t know, I thought you did a pretty good job calling him out for snubbing me.”
“That was different.”
I cock my head to the side. “How?”
“Papá was being rude to you. He can bully me if he wishes, but my friends and girlfriend are off-limits, even if it’s a fake relationship.”
“I said something similar to your mom about you.” I chuckle. “We think alike.”
Fernando reaches for my hand and rubs his thumb in small circles over the top. “I guess that’s why we get on so well.”
My heart yearns to break free of the prison I’ve entrapped it in, but I’m caught in a loop. I need to stop falling for my friends. Our feelings for one another continue to deepen, but we’re forever stuck in the friend zone.
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.
