Page 86 of My Spanish Love Affair

As the stories flow, I find myself smiling and laughing with them all, relaxing further with every moment that passes.

It’s so easy to forget the weirdness of these last few days when the attention isn’t on me.

“So,” Marta says, smirking as she leans back in her seat. “When are you going for number two?”

Sarah’s eyes widen, and she nearly chokes on her drink.

“Number two?! Let me get through this one first!”

The table erupts into laughter again, and Sarah shakes her head, though there’s a smile tugging at her lips.

“It’s so good to see you out again,” Ana says warmly. “We’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you all too,” Sarah replies, glancing around the table. “And honestly, I needed this. You can only talk to a baby about nappies, milk and sleeping for so long before you start to go a little crazy.”

“Well, we’re glad you’re here,” Marta says, raising her glass. “ToSarah, and to finally getting out of the house!”

“To Sarah!” the rest of us echo.

∞∞∞

As the next round of drinks arrives, the atmosphere around the table becomes even livelier.

I glance around, taking it all in - the easy smiles, the way Marta throws her head back laughing at something Ana just said, the playful banter between two of the newer teachers about who’s worse at lesson planning…

It feels sonormal, so easy and light and comfortable.

My phone buzzes on the table beside me, and I glance down to see a message from Santi.

How’s your night going, cariño?

A smile spreads across my face before I can stop it.

“Someone looks happy,” Sarah teases, her eyes sparkling as she nudges my elbow.

I shake my head, trying to suppress my grin.

“It’s just Santi. He’s checking in.”

Ana leans forward, her curiosity barely concealed.

“What’s this?”

“Is this your boyfriend?” Marta adds. “Does he miss you already?”

I roll my eyes, though my cheeks flush. I hadn’t really wanted to bring Santi up, but given how easy and normal this feels… I kind of don’t want to hide him.

“It’s nothing like that. He just wants to make sure I’m having a good time,” I say.

After all, I don’t want to deny our relationship or hide my feelings for him. It’s not as though I’m pretending he doesn’t exist, or that he isn’t a big part of my life - that just wouldn’t be fair, and it wouldn’t feel right, either.

It’s just different, that’s all. A little weird, trying to find the balance.

“Uh-huh,” Marta says, raising an eyebrow. “Sounds like someone’s smitten.”

The girls giggle at that, and despite myself, I can’t help but laugh along with them.

Still, if my boyfriend issmitten, he’s not the only one; so I type out a quick response to him.

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