I got up and went to the edge of the terrace.
“Why don’t you do something about it?”
I turned around to face Joel. “What am I meant to do? Fly out there and kiss the life out of him until he walks away again?”
“Do you know why he left that night?”
“No. You know I don’t. We were talking about your parents and then the other guy turned up, whispered in his ear, and they left.”
“So you didn’t tell him you had planned to go to Portugal to see him?”
Why did he have to be so damned sensible?
“I didn’t have a chance.” And I still didn’t know why he hadn’t even sent me an email.
We’d promised we’d get in touch.
“Max, come walk with me.” Joel grabbed a blanket and went down the steps that led to the beach. I followed him until he stopped only a few steps from the water and then wrapped the blanket around both of us.
“Do you remember what you asked when we stood on the beach and I told you about David?”
Looking out onto the water, Iwas transported to the day I’d arrived in Portugal for the first time. It had been a beautiful, warm day. I’d heard in Joel’s voice how much he was already in love with David and how hopeless he was feeling.
“I asked you if you had to choose between New York and Portugal,” I said.
“You did, and you also made me consider for the first time that what was really important for me was my family and David.”
I looked back toward the house. The lights were on now. I hadn’t even realized how dark it had become. Joel’s words were weighing on me. Would I regret not reaching out to Isaac one more time? Was I strong enough to handle the rejection?
“Come on, Joebug; let’s check in on the sexy chef.”
“Hey!” He punched me playfully in my stomach.
“Yes, yes, he’s all yours.” I laughed. “I love you, Joebug.”
“Love you, too, Maxy.”
The scent coming from the kitchen was amazing as usual.
“Joel, if you don’t marry this man, I will.”
Joel blushed, which was verytelling, and I could have hugged him right there if it wasn’t for the fact I was hungry and didn’t want David to deny me my dinner because I touched his boyfriend.
Joel wrapped his arms around David who turned to kiss him while he stirred something in the pot.
“What have you got there, David?”
“Joel’s favorite. Beef and chorizo casserole.”
“That’s not your favorite,” I said to Joel, knowing his all-time favorite was his mom’s chicken, chorizo, and bean soup.
“That’s my favorite today,” Joel said, looking at me with murderous eyes. David chuckled.
“I’ve been trying to figure out what his favorite food is, but every time I cook something, he saysthatone’s the one.”
“That’s because you surprise me every time.” Joel cradled David’s neck and took him in for a slow kiss.
I decided to take a quick shower before dinner. Thinking about the guy on the beach and Isaac and then talking about him with Joel had left me feeling discombobulated.
