Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
She scoops up another bite, making the cutest sounds while she eats. I almost veer off the road a few times because I’m too busy watching her instead of paying attention to driving. I have to force my gaze straight ahead and tighten my hands on the wheel.
When we’re at her apartment complex, I pull into a spot out front. Isabel doesn’t slow her pace with the arroz brut until she notices my attention. Her cheeks flush and she goes to close the container, but I stop her.
“No. Here, give me a fork.”
She winces in apology as she holds up the open utensil wrapper. “There’s only a knife left in here, but we can share my fork.”
She passes it to me and I take a heaping bite before I hold the fork back out for her to take. She’s right; the food is really good.
“This is from Sabor a Sol, a restaurant I have opening in a few weeks.”
“Really?” After she takes a bite, she passes the fork back to me. “Well, if this food is anything to go on, your restaurant will be a huge success. Has it been keeping you busy?”
“Yes… and more.” I swear a tension headache builds just talking about it, which is unusual considering Colectiva Isla Blanca is my pride and joy.
She tips her head and gives me a pitying frown. “So that’s why you look tired.”
I lift my brows like I’ve taken offense, but she continues in a playful tone. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. You’re handsome, of course.” She rolls her eyes mockingly. “You’re always handsome, but tonight not even those dimples can save you…”
Relieved actually that the jig is up, I let my head fall back and rest against the seat. I guess there’s no point pretending I’m not exhausted.
“Long day,” I admit, bringing my hand up to rub between my brows, relieving the beginnings of that headache.
Isabel closes the to-go container as she bends to stash it in the paper bag. “Here, I won’t keep you.”
When she looks up again, my eyes catch hers and our gazes lock. Tension builds in my chest, and for once I don’t have the energy to fight it. “I’m the one keeping you, Isabel. Should I lock the doors to prove it?”
Her lips part.
My joke didn’t sound even remotely jokey. I suddenly feel like I’m failing at this, failing at staying away from this girl. What do I want with her? Why does it feel too scary to admit?
She studies me with open curiosity. “Cristiano?”
My name in her voice sounds so sweet, so hopeful. If we stay in this car like this for one more second, I’ll kiss her. I won’t care about the consequences so long as her mouth is on mine. Clearly I need a distraction, which is fortunate because I actually have something I need from her. “I want to know everything that’s on the bucket list.”
There’s a long pause and then a burst of laughter. “You’re relentless, you know that? I don’t have it with me.”
I knew she’d resist, but I’m done waiting. I nod toward her apartment.
“Go get it and bring it back out.”
She looks semi-amazed by my insistence. “Don’t you want to go to sleep? Surely—”
I’m growing impatient. “I want you to go get it, Isabel.”
With a huff, she reaches for her door handle.
I grab the food bag. “Here.”
She looks back in question. “All of it?”
“Take it.”
I swear I hear her mumble about my bossiness, but she accepts the bag and shuts the door before heading inside. I turn in my seat and close my eyes as the weight of my day, the fatigue of my endless work cycle, crash over me. I almost fall asleep before she returns.
I jolt back to full consciousness when Isabel opens the car door. A journal lands with a clap against my thigh. “Here.”
I look down to see that it’s open to a page filled with a long list. Notes and annotations fill the border. “Did you write this?”
“Winnie did,” she explains as she climbs back in. “That’s her handwriting.”
I read the first few items, and when I land on number five, I stifle a chuckle. “Starting off with a bang, I see…”
She looks out the window and stays quiet, crossing her arms in the passenger seat.
Winnie’s Ibiza Bucket List
Swim at Bora Bora Beach
Go to a crazy dance party
Day trip to Formentera
Eat tapas (until you’re sick)
Wild sex (lots!!!)
Skinny-dipping
Fall in love BUT ONLY IF THE MAN IS SMOKING HOT!
Get a tattoo
Go cliff jumping at Sa Punta
Party on a yacht
Try drugs (maybe???)
Surf
Snorkeling
Wander through Old Town
Drink all the sangría!
Shop at Hippy Market Punta Arabí
Try hierbas ibicencas
Watch the sunrise (with that hot man)
I realize I’m smiling as I review the list a few times and then turn the journal sideways so I can read Winnie’s notes in the margins. I’m so careful with the journal, touching it as if I’m an archivist in a gallery. This is Isabel’s sister’s handwriting—this list is a treasure.