Page 113 of My Spanish Love Affair

“Of course,” Santi responds.

“I know Olivia’s been having a hard time with the media lately,” Mum begins, glancing at me briefly before continuing. “It’s one thing for you - you’re used to it, I’m sure - but it’s all very new for her. It’s... well, as you know, it’s been a lot for her to deal with.”

I stiffen slightly in my seat, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of the napkin on my lap. “Mum -”

“No, it’s okay,” Santi interrupts gently, his focus shifting entirely to her. “I understand. You’re worried about her, and you should be.”

Mum’s brows lift slightly, surprised by his candid response, but she nods.

“I am. She’s never been one for bringing attention to herself. In school, she always kept her head down. She was so focusedon her work and didn’t have much interest in anything else. A bit of a wallflower, really. And now, all of a sudden, she’s being dragged into this world where everyone has an opinion about her. I just... I want to know she’s going to be okay. That she’s going to be looked after.”

“I want that too,” Santi says. “I’ve been trying to shield her from as much of it as I can, but I know it’s not enough. I hate seeing her upset. It’s... hard for me, too, because I know she didn’t sign up for any of this.”

I glance at him, but his eyes remain fixed on my mother.

“What happened with the article shouldn’t have happened,” he continues. “It crossed a line, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I’ve spoken to my manager, and we’re already working on ways to handle things better moving forward. But more than that, I want Olivia to know that she doesn’t have to face any of this alone. I’m here for her, whatever she needs.”

Mum’s expression softens, and she leans back in her chair, her hand resting on her chest.

“You’re a good man, Santi,” she says quietly.

“I don’t know about that. But I care about your daughter. More than anything. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she’s happy and safe.”

My heart twists, and I look down at my lap, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice.

“Well, you’ve got my vote,” Mum says after a moment, her tone lightening. “Just don’t go breaking her heart, alright?”

“Mum!” I say, my face burning with embarrassment.

Santi chuckles, glancing at me before responding.

“I have no intention of doing that, Margaret. Trust me.”

The food arrives, and the conversation shifts to lighter topics as we eat. Santi charms my mother even further with stories about growing up in Spain and the antics he and his teammates get up to during training.

And just to top it off, he even asks her about her garden, a subject she can talk about for hours. He listens intently as she describes her latest battle with the neighbourhood fox that keeps digging up her flower beds, and she gasps in delight when he tells her about his own mother’s love of gardening.

Show off.

“You’ll have to come to Spain sometime,” Santi says as he cuts into his sandwich. “I know Olivia’s mentioned how much she misses home, but Valencia is beautiful, too. You’d love it: the food, the beaches, the atmosphere.”

“Oh, I’m not much of a traveler these days. But it does sound lovely.” She pauses, her gaze softening. “You’re very kind, Santi. I can see why Olivia likes you so much.”

Before I can feel too embarrassed, Santi grins.

“I think it’s the other way around, Margaret. I’m the lucky one.”

She turns to me immediately as soon as he excuses himself to go to the bathroom, her expression alight with approval.

“He’s lovely,” she says. Her voice is hushed but brimming with enthusiasm as she beams across the table at me. “So genuine. And, let’s be real, bloody gorgeous, too! My goodness, Olivia. Hiseyes…Oh, he’s even better in person than in those pictures you’ve been avoiding sending to me. I don’t know why you’re not showing him off for the whole world - if I were thirty years younger, I certainly would be!”

“Mum,” I scold her, though there’s laughter in my voice.

“I mean it,” she says, reaching across the table to squeeze myhand. “You’ve found a good one, love. Don’t let fear ruin this for you. He’s clearly crazy about you.”

I simply smile knowingly at her as Santi returns to the table.

By the time we’re walking back to the car, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back, I’ve made up my mind.

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