Page 112 of My Spanish Love Affair

Mum raises an eyebrow, not letting him off the hook so easily.

“Oh, come on now. You’re telling me there’s no glamour at all? Surely the attention must be... flattering?”

He laughs, a light, easy sound that has my lips curving upwards.

“I suppose it can be,” he admits, his grin widening. “But most of the time, it’s just part of the job. And, to be honest, I’ve never been all that interested in that side of things.”

“Really?” Mum presses, clearly intrigued. “I would’ve thought a handsome young man like yourself would enjoy a bit of excitement now and then.”

“Mum!” I practically squeal, though she just looks at me with a completely unashamed expression.

“I won’t lie,” Santi says, his voice warm and honest. “There was a time when I got caught up in it. The money, the parties, the media attention - it went to my head a little. You have to remember, I was twenty years old when I had my big break for the team, suddenly put into the spotlight and earning more money than I could have dreamed of being possible. But it didn’t take long to realise that the lifestyle… ah, it just wasn’t for me. I’d much rather spend my time with the people who matter. The ones who know me for who I really am, not just the guy they see on TV.”

He glances at me again as he finishes speaking, and my cheeks flush under his gaze.

Mum notices, of course, and her lips curve into a pleased smile.

“Well, it sounds like you’ve got your priorities straight, Santi. That’s rare in someone so young and successful.”

“Thank you,” he says sincerely. “Though I think meeting Olivia has helped with that. She keeps me grounded.”

“Oh, does she now?” Mum teases, her eyes twinkling as she looks at me.

I groan, hiding my face in my hands.

“Can wenotmake this about me?”

“Too late for that, love,” Mum says with a laugh. “I’m just saying, it’s nice to see a young man with his head screwed on straight. You don’t meet many like him these days.”

Santi’s expression softens at that. “I appreciate that, Margaret. But honestly, Olivia really is the one who keeps me grounded. She reminds me every day what really matters. That’s why I knew I had to come out here - why I couldn’t wait. Even if she didn’t want me to follow her.”

Mum reaches out to pat the back of my hand, her voice gentle but filled with affection.

“Well, it sounds like you two make a good team. I’m glad you’ve found each other.”

Oh, she adores him - I can tell.

Santi’s gaze locks with mine, and for a moment, everything else fades away.

“So am I,” he says quietly, his words meant just for me.

Mum clears her throat gently. “I have to ask, Santi - does it ever get... overwhelming, for you? The fame, I mean. I can’t imagine it’s easy.”

“It has its moments,” he admits. “But I try to focus on the positives. I get to do what I love, and I’ve met some incrediblepeople along the way. Your daughter, for example.”

My cheeks flush, and Mum raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by how effortlessly he’s managed to weave that compliment in.

He really is laying this on thick.

“Well, you’re doing a good job of handling it, from what I can see,” she says with a nod. “Though I suppose it helps to have good people around you.”

“It does,” he agrees, his gaze flickering to me again.

For a moment, there’s a comfortable silence as my mother takes a sip of her water.

But then, as if the thought has been simmering at the back of her mind, she sets her glass down and leans forward slightly, her expression turning more serious.

“Can I ask you something?”

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