“Yeah, just.” Joey nodded to herself. She had been little more than a child.
“And there’s been no one since?” Vanessa put her head to one side.
“I had a few one-night stands in my twenties. You know, scratching an itch, if you like. But no, no one special. I realised very quickly that I don’t really do casual.” Joey stopped and then spoke again. “I’m like Chappell Roan in that way.”
Vanessa burst into laughter and Joey smiled. She couldn’t help but join in. “Look at you,” said Vanessa, a teasing look in her eyes, “making jokes. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you do that before.”
A waiter arrived to clear their plates and asked if they’d like dessert. “We have to have dessert here, they’re amazing,” said Joey. She could feel her heart lift the more time she spent with Vanessa.
Chapter Twenty-Six
VANESSA
“Idon’t think I’ve ever eaten such a delicious chocolate pudding,” exclaimed Vanessa as they left the restaurant and walked towards the exit of the museum.
“I told you,” said Joey. Vanessa couldn’t help noticing that Joey seemed to be smiling more today. She wondered if telling Vanessa about her past had freed Joey in some way. Perhaps she was overthinking it.
What Vanessa couldn’t get out of her head, aside from the chocolate pudding, which was to die for, was the moment when she had asked Joey if she thought she might ever meet someone else, someone she could fall in love with. The instant the words had left her mouth, she’d regretted them. She felt like she was showing her hand.
The truth was, Vanessa’s heart had pounded throughout their dinner, and the more she learnt about Joey, the more she felt like she could make this woman happy. It was arrogant of her, she knew that, but at the same time she was sure there was something that had happened between them. It made Vanessa feel like a better version of herself. And thisevening, she thought that perhaps Joey was a happier version of herself.
Joey hadn’t really answered the question. Her cheeks had reddened, no doubt in embarrassment at such a naive and forward question. She just shrugged and mumbled, “Perhaps” into her cheesecake.
“Tell me about these Magic Fountains, then,” said Vanessa, as they began the descent down Montjuic. The sun was setting over Barcelona and people were beginning to gather in the plaza below, where they had met earlier that day.
“I can do better than that,” said Joey, a sparkle in her eye. “I can show them to you. The show starts really soon.”
Joey’s hands were in her pockets, and on a whim Vanessa looped her hand through her companion’s arm. Joey didn’t seem to mind, so she left it there. Arm in arm, they slowly descended the steps. As darkness fell, more people gathered.
By the time they reached the bottom there were hundreds of people standing and waiting for the show to begin. Vanessa didn’t know what to expect, but standing in such proximity to Joey, she didn’t really care what was going to happen. She felt like she’d been allowed into a secret part of Joey’s life that not many others got to see.
“I hope Dani’s getting on ok with her uncle,” said Vanessa.
Joey pulled out her phone. “No news yet.” She frowned.
“Well, hopefully no news is good news?” suggested Vanessa.
Without warning, the giant fountains burst into life, gallons of water suddenly pouring down through the water features on the hillside, into the fountains and up into the sky. Coloured lights shone in gold and silver as the assembledcrowd was serenaded by ‘Barcelona’ by Freddie Mercury and Monserrat Caballé, the sound emerging from a well-concealed set of speakers. Vanessa felt the hairs stand up on her arms as the flow of the water intensified and the lights changed colour. It was an overwhelming sight, and all around her the crowd roared its delight.
Vanessa tightened her grip on Joey’s arm in excitement, and looked over to see Joey grinning. The colourful lights reflected in Joey’s eyes, lending her the look of someone who could embrace life and love and take risks. The fact that she hadn’t pulled away from Vanessa was some kind of sign, wasn’t it?
Vanessa whooped when the next song started and the fountains went yet higher. Joey laughed. “I knew you’d love this!”
“Oh, I love a show,” said Vanessa. “And I love good company.”
“Even grumpy old me?” Joey enquired.
Vanessa looked across again at her companion. “Especially you.”
Joey surprised Vanessa by reaching her arm around Vanessa’s shoulders and pulling her in close. Her pulse accelerated in time with the upbeat music. She extended her arm around Joey’s waist, and they remained standing exactly like that for the rest of the show. Vanessa didn’t dare look across at Joey’s face. She felt suddenly shy, but that did nothing to diminish the thrill of being held by Joey’s strong arm.
The end of the show came with more spectacular lights and variations in water flow that the crowd greeted with ‘ooh’s and ‘ah’s.
“Way better than fireworks,” said Vanessa.
“I agree,” said Joey, turning to face her.
They paused, their eyes locked on each other’s. Now Vanessa felt brave enough to take a risk, and put her other arm around Joey’s waist. Her blood was roaring in her ears, but Joey didn’t pull away. Instead, she continued to look into Vanessa’s eyes and gave a half smile. She looked as if she as daring Vanessa to come closer.
