“Sure. My board’s in the car.” She stood, brushing off her pants, and held out her hand, adorned with gold rings, to him. “Let me introduce you to Elvira.”
He took it, pulling him to his feet. “She knows?”
“About the sponsor? Yeah. About the PR stunt? Nope. So, we’re pretending.”
The way she looked up at him through her lashes made his mind spiral towards very unholy thoughts. Their fingers stayed linked longer than necessary.
“And why didn’t you tell her?”
He pulled her closer, his arms slipping around her waist until their hips brushed. Her hands instinctively caught his shirt, holding tight.
“Because she can’t keep a secret to save her life. She’ll thank me for sparing her.”
He dipped his head, brushing his lips near her ear.
“So… we’re already faking?”
Sofia swallowed. “Y-yes.”
Joder, the way her breath hitched.
“Good,” he murmured. “Let’s say hi to Elvira, then.”
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, they entered the office.
It was very her. Natural light, maps, sketches of marine life, ocean photos pinned everywhere. A space that felt lived in. Fiercely loved. It reminded him of her apartment in the center of Ericeira. He hadn’t had time to study it in detail, but it was exactly what he’d imagined, especially after getting to know her a little and, admittedly, scrolling through her social media more than once.
Elvira looked up from her screen and grinned like she’d been waiting for this moment her whole life.
“Finally! It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Ilias. I’m a huge fan.” She shook his hand with both of hers. “I’m Elvira, co-founder of Salacia. But in reality, the brain is Sofi.” Then she took a breath. “When Sofi said you guys were an item, I almost didn’t believe it, but then I remembered seeing you two in the Athlete Zone, before the punch, and you looked so cute together.”
She was rapid-fire energy, an unfiltered, affectionate hurricane.
“Elvira, let him breathe,” Sofia said.
“Sorry! But you two look hot. Like, sexy-hot.”
Sofia muttered something in Italian, blushing furiously. He actually liked that part of her. It showed every time there were compliments around. Ilias just laughed.
“Pleasure to meet you too,” he said warmly.
“We’re heading out to surf,” Sofia added. “I’ll be offline for a bit, but if you need anything about today’s tour just let me know.”
“Go, lovebirds. Enjoy. Don’t drown.” Elvira waved them off, giggling.
“Ah.” Sofia stopped in her tracks before moving to the door, “João doesn’t want the raise.”
Elvira sighed but nodded. “I expected that from him. I will add it to the paycheck anyway.”
Sofia nodded, thumb up, and as soon as they were out of sight, Sofia slipped out of his hold.
Small steps, Ilias. Don’t rush it. Don’t break it.
“Let’s grab your board and let’s go surfing,” he said, following her toward an olive-green Jeep, aged, a little beat up, but full of character. Like her.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go with mine?” she asked.
“Even though you are just a part Italian, your people have a really bad reputation of terrible drivers. I’d rather drive myself.” He chuckled.
