“Isn’t he, like… ancient?” Callum asked.
“Sixty-something,” Asma said, visibly disgusted. “She’s completely lost it.”
Sebastian shook his head. “And she’ll lose it even more when you go public with Ale.”
Callum’s chest tightened slightly.
When.Notif.
“When,” Sebastian repeated, grinning, looking at him pointedly, probably sensing his doubt or realization. “I can see the headlines now: ‘Hot Ex of Welsh Far-Right Politician Now Dating Sexy Spanish Surfer.’”
Callum shook his head, letting out a breath.
“Yeah, well… when the time comes, I’ll deal with it.”
If the time comes.
If she even wants that.
If this doesn’t fall apart before it even starts.
He truly trusted that whatever was going on between him and Alejandra, it was actually meaningful, but he knew she was in a very delicate moment of her life and she was standing on shaky grounds. He wanted to give her stability, but did she want it from him?
“For now,” he added, pushing himself forward slightly, grabbing the Risk box, “can we just play? I need to conquer the world to get my adrenaline fix since Ale’s not around.”
“Oh, he’s joking now?” Sebastian laughed. “He’s so fucking in love.”
Callum didn’t answer. Didn’t roll his eyes. Didn’t argue. He just focused on setting up the board, on handing out territories, on anything that required his hands, his attention. The room buzzed back to life around him. Arguments over rules. Someone accusing Sebastian of cheating before the game had even started. Leif opening another beer. Asma laughing too loud at something Omar whispered in her ear.
Callum placed his pieces down carefully. But his mind drifted anyway. To sun-warmed skin.
To salt in the air. To a girl who looked fearless on a board, and completely lost when she wasn’t.
Is she okay?Did she go to that appointment?Is she pushing me away again?
His grip tightened slightly around the dice.
“Your turn, Evans,” Leif said.
Callum blinked, snapping back.
“Yeah,” he muttered, rolling the dice.
They clattered across the board.
Random. Unpredictable. Out of his control. He watched them settle. They were yet another representation of life. And yet, he felt it was time for him to take control of it again.
35
ALEJANDRA
One Call Away - Charlie Puth
Staringat the ceiling of her room back in Conil wasn’t doing her any good. Doctor Gonzalez’s words kept repeating in her mind, and the number of the therapist laid on her nightstand, judging her for not having made a decision yet. She hadn’t mentioned that to her parents or Carlos. None of them had to go through therapy, and even though she had never had a wrong opinion about it, always supported Sofia or Ilias every time they went, there was a twisting feeling in her guts that she had failed.
Maybe Doctor Gonzalez was right, maybe it wasn’t just physical. Maybe she needed real help. And the therapist she’d recommended? She was based in London. Having a chat with her wasn’t going to be the end of the world. And yet, she kept jumping betweenit’s the worst idea ever, andyeah, I can definitely do it.
A normal person would think video calls, remote therapy.But not her. Her brain had latched onto one thing: Callum lived in London. What a coincidence, wasn’t it? Was it life finally giving her the push she needed? Were they fated mates like in her fantasy books? Destined to be together for the rest of their lives?
