Page 6 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

“Do you think she wants to go back with him?”

I hear my father sigh. “No, thank God she’s clear about that.”

I’m not in the least bit amused to hear about these calls. My stupid ex-brother-in-law abandoned her while she was pregnant so he could live his crazy life. I just hope Raquel keeps it together and doesn’t fall for that wolf in sheep’s clothing again. I know my father worries about that too.

“About getting a job, Papá, I get that—and she’s right.”

“Oh, c’mon, sweetheart, with what I earn, I can support her and the girls. Why does she want to work?”

“Listen, Papá, I’m sure Raquel is happy living with you and is very grateful for all you do for her. But she doesn’t want to stay in Jerez, and you know that. When we talked about it, she told you it was a temporary move and—”

“But what is she going to do all alone in Madrid with the girls? Here, she’s got me, and I take care of them and make sure all three are OK.”

I can’t help but smile. My father is super protective, like Eric. “Papá...Raquel has to get her life back. If she stays in Jerez with you, it’ll just take her longer. Don’t you see that?”

My father is the best and the most generous person on the planet, and I understand what he’s going through. But I also understand my sister. She wants to get ahead, and, knowing her, she will.

Nearly an hour later, after I hang up with my dad, I fill up at the hotel buffet. Everything is delicious. I’m wearing a green bikini that accentuates my tan, and when I finish my meal, I head for the beach. I look for a free hammock and umbrella, and, when I find one, I immediately drop into it.

I love the sun!

I pull out my iPod, put on my earbuds, and hit Play, and my beloved Pablo Alborán begins to sing.

I sing along and watch the waves come and go.

It’s the perfect song with which to contemplate the sea.

I’m happy right now and I open my book. Sometimes I can read and sing along at the same time. It’s a rare talent, but I can do it. Twenty minutes later, just as Pablo sings “La Vie en Rose,” my lids are getting heavy, and the tender breeze makes me close my book. Without realizing it, I fall into Morpheus’s arms. I don’t know how long I’m asleep when I hear a voice.

“Miss...miss...”

My eyes pop open. What’s going on?

Not sure what’s happening, I pull out my earbuds, and there, in front of me, is a smiling server offering me a margarita.

“This is from the gentleman in the blue shirt up at the bar.”

Eric is back!

Thirsty, I take a sip. It’s so good! But when I look up at the bar with one of my most enchanting and sensual smiles, I’m horrified to discover the man who sent me the cocktail is not Eric.

Oh my God.

The gentleman in the blue shirt is in his forties, is tall with dark hair, and is wearing a striped bathing suit. When he sees me smile, he smiles back, and I want the earth to swallow me.

What do I do now? Spit out what I just drank?

Trying to make as little of it as I can, I thank him, stop looking at him, and open my book again. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him smiling, then sitting at one of the stools at the bar, drinking.

For about a half an hour, I focus on reading, but the truth is nothing registers. The man at the bar is making me nervous. He doesn’t make a move, but he won’t stop staring at me. I finally close my book, pull off my sunglasses, and decide to take a dip in the water.

The water is fresh, and I love it.

I walk in a few yards, and, when the water is about at my waist and I see a wave coming up, I launch myself like a siren and dive into it.

Oh yes...what a feeling!

When I get tired of swimming, I flip over and float on my back. I consider taking off my top but decide against it. Something tells me the man at the bar is still looking at me and could misinterpret that as an invitation.

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