“This is an honour,” said Carmen, almost falling over herself to offer her hand to Carl, whose eyes twinkled at her.
“The honour is all mine. You must be Carmen.” He took her hand and held it in both of his. “Vanessa has told me all about you, and this amazing pastelería.” He looked around and sniffed. “Based on the delicious smells emanating from your kitchen, I can see why.”
Carmen blushed, clearly enjoying the attention of a young, handsome man. Carl turned to Joey, who was still motionless in her chair, her mind racing as she wondered what Vanessa had told her brother about her.
“I’m Joey,” she said, with a tight smile. Why was she always so stiff with new people?
Carl smiled at her, and reached a hand towards her. “And I’ve heard some very good things about you, too. It is really lovely to meet you,”
Joey smiled, unsure what to say next, and plumped for, “So, what brings you to Barcelona?”
Carl’s mouth quirked. “Heartbreak, I’m afraid.”
“Oh no!” Carmen clasped her hands to her heart in horror. “Well, you have come to the right place. You definitely need something sweet to help your recovery.” She paused for a beat. “And I really should introduce you to my niece.”
Chapter Forty-One
JOEY
Vanessa and Joey sat on the beach at Barceloneta. The sun was going down and people were beginning to pack up their possessions and go home.
“I love the beach at this time of day,” said Vanessa. She leaned back on her hands, tipping her head back and closing her eyes. “It’s like it’s caught between two worlds – the day and the night.”
“Like you?”
Vanessa opened her eyes and looked at Joey, who continued. “Caught between here and your life in the UK.”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Vanessa relaxed her arms and let herself lie back on the sand. “But you are, too, right? Carefully balanced? And I feel like I’ve ruined the careful equilibrium you’ve built here.”
Joey leaned back and laid beside her, her heartbeat slowing. Vanessa had clearly understood a lot from the few words they’d exchanged since they got to the beach. “Oh yes, you’ve driven a cart and horses right through it. I always promised myself I’d only ever be reliant on myself.”Joey looked up at the sky, which was turning slowly darker, orange tingeing the clouds.
“Can anyone really do that, though?” Vanessa turned her head so she was looking directly into Joey’s eyes. Joey could feel her breath on her face. It made her long to kiss Vanessa, but she knew they needed to talk first.
“I’m beginning to think perhaps not. Look at Dani and Sergio – at you and Carl.” Joey put her hands under her head and sighed.
“And you and Carmen,” Vanessa added. “I don’t think you were alone for long when you arrived here.”
Joey reflected on the conversation she and Carmen hadn’t quite finished, earlier that day. “Yes, perhaps you’re right. Although this is quite different. At least for me. It’s been such a long time since I had a relationship with a woman, a romantic one, I mean. I feel like I’m doomed to ruin it, or perhaps to be heartbroken. Either way it feels like a big risk.”
“But what about if it works out?” Vanessa shuffled closer to Joey and adjusted her position so she could run her fingers through Joey’s hair.
Feeling Vanessa’s hand stroking her awoke something in Joey. Yes, partly it was something primal. But there was something else there, too, something that urged her to trust the woman beside her. There was a tenderness to Vanessa’s touch that she didn’t recall experiencing before. Joey smiled slowly. “Well yes, I suppose it could work out.”
“I think that may be the most optimistic thing I’ve ever heard you say!” Vanessa giggled.
“Excuse me!” said Joey, her eyes wide. “I feel like everything that happened the other night was pretty optimistic.”
“Well I suppose that’s one word for it,” teased Vanessa.
Joey smiled. “I didn’t run because I didn’t want you.”
“I know that now.” Vanessa leaned on her elbow and framed Joey’s face with her hand. “And I know it’s complicated.”
Joey felt herself willing Vanessa to kiss her. “Yes. You have Birmingham and your cafe.”
“I do, and a promise I made,” said Vanessa. “And you have your home here. I could never ask you to leave it.”
“And so it’s complicated.” Joey’s voice was no more than a murmur.
