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)
Buenas noches.
I stared at those two words so long Simone eventually groaned at me to turn my phone off and go to sleep, threatening to toss her pillow at my head.
The subtle art of texting is not something I’ve ever perfected. Winnie was amazing at it. In the past, if I’d found myself in this situation, I would have just relinquished my phone to her all day because I’d be assured she would have Cristiano wrapped around my pinky finger by the end of it. Meanwhile, I second-guess every single word, every letter. Do I add an emoji or is it too obvious? Should I cap that joke off with an exclamation mark? No! Of course not!
Annoyed to be so caught up in caring about it, I reach into my bag and take out my phone to read his damn text when Thalia stands to go wash her hands off in the sea.
Cristiano: My contractor is late to our meeting. Distract me.
The text was sent an hour ago so I’m too late. Or maybe not…
I snap a photo of my legs stretched out in the sand alongside my surfboard. In the background, the sea is blue and beautiful.
I send it and reach for more fruit. My phone buzzes immediately.
Cristiano: Who are you with?
The question confuses me. How does he know I’m with anyone? But then I glance back at the photo and notice the blurry guy in orange swim trunks walking out of the water. I guess it does look like he’s headed toward me.
I look up and scan the beach, easily finding the guy among a group of friends who arrived to surf just as Thalia and I were finishing up.
I smile at Cristiano’s question.
Isabel: A friend.
Cristiano:…
I bite down a laugh, but that humor disappears the instant my phone starts to ring with an incoming call.
I answer with a shake of my head. “You can’t be serious. I was just ki—”
“Hand the phone over so I can talk to him.”
His tone is half joking, half not.
“That’d be a little hard considering he’s sitting way over there with his friends. Not to mention, I don’t even know him. I’m with Thalia. Should I hand her the phone?”
It’s not an option considering she’s swimming now, but still. He’s silent on the other end, thinking god only knows what.
“I didn’t realize he was in the photo…” I admit sheepishly.
Still, he’s quiet.
Oh god.
I laugh nervously. “Are all Spanish men this possessive?”
And why does it thrill me to think he might be jealous that I’m spending my morning with someone else?
“No, but it’s in my nature. No use fighting it,” he finally grumbles.
“Good to know. No more teasing you. I promise.”
“I liked the photo,” he admits, his tone smoothing out now that I’ve eased his worry.
My stomach swoops. “If it helps, I’m not wearing the turquoise bikini.”
I think I hear him mumble “Dios” under his breath.
“Do you work tonight?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“And tomorrow?”
“No, but I’m going out with Annika and Simone. They want to take me to a party at Solaría.”
“Of course they do.” He doesn’t sound impressed. “You know that’s owned by my biggest competitor on the island.”
“I promise to hate it,” I quip.
He chuckles, then turns away from his phone to talk to someone in Spanish. I know he has to go.
“Sorry,” he says when he’s done.
“I don’t mind. I know you’re busy. Will you come pick me up tonight or will I walk home with Antonio?”
“I have a work dinner that’s going to run late. I’ve already pushed it off once.” At least he doesn’t sound happy about it. “It’s for a new project.”
A new project. Sheesh.
“Okay. I’ll—”
Someone calls his name, distracting him again.
“I’ll see you later,” I say, letting him get back to his work.
I drop my phone back into my bag with a heavy sigh and fold my legs up against my chest. I’m not sitting there long when out of the corner of my eye, I spot our surfing instructor walking toward me, and I pick my head up off my knees and force a welcoming smile.
He points to the board. “Can I take?”
I nod quickly. “Yes. Thank you. I was going to bring it back in a bit.”
He nods. “No hay problema.”
His lessons wrapped up a little while ago. I watched the parents come and collect their kids. “Did they learn? The kids you were teaching?”
He smiles and seesaws his hand. “So-so. We have many English students. Here for vacations.”
“Ah.” Business must really pick up in the summer.
“You are good,” he says with a shy smile, pointing back out to the surf.
“Oh, thanks. I love it.”
He shakes his head and collects the boards before carting them back to his stand so he can help a waiting customer. When he’s gone, I consider calling Lita. We already spoke yesterday and she claimed she wanted an update about everything, but truly there was only one thing on her mind.