“Oh, Carly, I’m sorry, babe.” Vanessa only used her pet name for him when he was feeling sad.
Carl gave a reluctant smile. “I mean, maybe I’m wrong.”
“Maybe,” agreed Vanessa. “If she’s worth it, don’t give up yet.”
“Yeah. And sorry,” he said, unfolding his arms. “I didn’t mean to give you such a hard time about running away to Barcelona. You look great. Really happy. Brown, too. It suits you.”
She gave a half smile. “People keep talking to me in Spanish. I think it’s the dark hair thing. They assume I’mlocal.” She shrugged. “But at least now I can hold a little bit of a conversation in Spanish.”
“Oh really? Colour me impressed,” said Carl, a smile finally returning to his face.
“Yeah, Joey and Dani have been teaching me.” She blushed at the mere mention of Joey’s name.
“And who are Joey and Dani? Is there something you need to tell me? Are you part of a throuple?” Carl laughed.
“As if I’d be coordinated enough for that!” said Vanessa, once she’d stopped giggling. “No, not a throuple. But – and I’m trusting you not to be a dick about this – Joey and I did kiss last night.”
“Get in!” said Carl. “I want all the details.”
Vanessa smiled, and then proceeded to tell him everything. There was something reassuring about talking to someone she’d known pretty much her whole life.
“Do you think it could be something?” asked Carl.
“I’d like it to be,” said Vanessa. “In spite of the distance and everything. And obviously you were a tiny bit right before when you talked about my businesses and my habit of not sticking at things.”
“That’s not what I said,” said Carl.
Vanessa waved him away. “No, I know, but gran did say it to me, just before she died. And she was right. This time it’s going to work out. And it’s going to work out because I will make it work. I’m going to put everything I have into it. So I’m coming back to Birmingham and I will set up that cafe.” She looked over at her laptop. “I have a whole load of premises options to look over later.”
“Well good for you, sis,” said Carl. “I’m sure you’ll do it. You’re amazing. And, you know, if it’s meant to work out with this Joey, it will.”
“And the same to you, Carl. If it’s meant to work out with Gem.” She beamed at him through the screen.
He sighed. “We’ll see.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
JOEY
“Good morning,chica.” Carmen was already in the bakery kitchen.
“You’re here early.” Joey was used to being the first to arrive. She enjoyed the solitude.
“Dani said you were up late last night keeping her company with her uncle again last night. She said you might need to sleep in a bit.” Carmen put her hands on her rounded hips.
“No, I’m fine,” said Joey. “But typical of her to be worrying about me and reporting back to you, when really she has bigger things to worry about.”
“She cares about you, Josefina. That’s what people who care about you do.” Carmen glared in Joey’s direction. “You need to accept that you are not the lone wolf you think you are. We all love you.”
“All? Who is this ‘all’?” Joey chuckled.
“Well, me, Dani and, well Vanessa I don’t know yet, but I think she is fond of you.” Carmen’s eyes softened. “Andbased on the colour your face just went, I think that feeling might be mutual.”
Joey rolled her eyes. “You’ve already switched the ovens on, it’s warm in here.” She was lying, and Carmen knew it.
“Yes, of course.” Carmen gave a wry smile. “What are you teaching our little English friend today?”
“Coc de mel,” said Joey.
