‘I’m liking the idea more and more. You can show me what you’re made of.’
‘I thought I’d already done that.’
With a laugh she gave him a quick nudge. ‘Stop distracting me. Do you know any places I could hire to set up a class?’
‘Why not at the spa?’ It was obvious and he was a little irritated with himself that he hadn’t thought of it before. ‘The spa closes at six, but if we kept it open later, we could offer local residents, many of whom work, evening massages and treatments. You could use the Pilates pagoda after hours.’
Rebecca snorted. ‘Like I said before, Inês isn’t happy about the Pilates classes as it is.’
‘Yes, but if you convince her it will bring in more business to the spa, that would appeal. She wants to make it a success. Inês is cautious. She doesn’t like change at first but when things work, she comes round. Why don’t I suggest it?’
‘I know you’re charming but she’s my boss. I’m not sure she’ll listen to you,’ Rebecca scoffed.
Felipe simply tilted his head from side to side. ‘I can try.’ It amused him that Rebecca had no idea he was the boss and now he was loath to let her know, in case it changed the easy dynamic between them. After all, sleeping with the boss had all sorts of connotations.
‘Let’s assume I can charm her. Tell me what you’d do if you could run evening classes?’
They pulled up outside the hotel, both fizzing with their ideas and plans, so it was doubly pleasing to see how full the car park was. Lots of people came for lunch on a Sunday, which usually developed into a long, lazy afternoon with more drinks. Earlyon he’d made sure the local taxi firms were primed as inevitably there would be more than a few cars remaining in the car park come Monday morning.
Sunday evenings were also one of his favourite times of the week. There was no service once the paying customers had left and the staff would sometimes congregate for drinks and an informal reflection on the previous week and how things were going.
He rolled his shoulders to loosen them off a little. ‘I could do with a swim. Fancy having a go at trying to beat me? Over ten laps.’
‘What do you mean, trying to beat you? I’ve beaten you every time.’
‘Not really,’ he said.
She bumped him with her shoulder, her eyes crinkling with amusement and airy condescension. ‘Yes, really. But happy to beat you again.’
‘Rebecca!’ The call came from the terrace above them.
It was like watching all the lights go down in a blackout. One minute bright and glowing, the next dead. Rebecca’s face lost all its animation and joy.
‘Will!’ she said, her voice strained.
As the man came striding towards them, a big smile on his face, Felipe fought the urge to snatch Rebecca to his side and step in front of her, put her out of danger. Next to him, her body stiffened, prepared for flight or fight. His hand touched hers, just to remind her he was there if she needed him.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, bewilderment tingeing the words.
‘I thought I’d surprise you,’ he said, coming closer. ‘Youlook amazing.’ He threw his arms around her and gave her a big hug. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’
Felipe felt himself flinch when she wrapped her arms around the other man.
‘Will! I can’t believe you’re here.’ Now her face lit up and her beautiful eyes shone with happiness. Felipe felt his stomach twist.
Will was tall and lanky, with floppy brown hair that had a touch of a young Hugh Grant about it, as well as the almost diffident, boyish stance.
He gave Rebecca a gentle kiss on the cheek, and Felipe felt a little sick when she stared up at Will, shock and happiness radiating across her face.
‘You’ve certainly surprised me,’ said Rebecca.
‘Nice surprise, I hope,’ he said with an engaging smile. ‘It’s been so weird without you at home. I really missed you.’
Felipe saw Rebecca swallow. There was quick uncertainty in the suddenly strained smile. The urge to rescue her, to put his arm around her shoulders, was overwhelming– would she thank him for it? Instead, Felipe stood his ground and kept quiet.
‘It’s so good to see you.’ Her hands fluttered in front of her. ‘When did you get here?’
‘Yesterday, and I was gutted when I discovered you weren’t here. They said you’d gone to Lisbon for the weekend. We’ll have to do that. You can show me round.’
