Page 57 of Tell Me What You Want

“Where have you been all my life?”

It’s a movie moment. No one’s ever said something so beautiful to me at such a perfect time. After a bunch of fiery kisses, we decide to go. We’re still waterlogged, so we put some towels down on the car’s leather seats. Eric offers me the keys.

“Let the adventure continue,” he whispers.

Between laughs, we finally arrive at Sitges. We park the car, and after I put the keys in my shoulder bag, Eric claims my hand. I hold on, and together we walk the streets of the lovely little town.

The heat dries our clothes. He takes me to a beautiful restaurant, where we eat looking out on the sea. Our conversation flows, or more precisely, my conversation flows. I can’t stop talking, and he just grins. I’ve rarely seen him like this. In the evening, around six, we decide to go for a swim. No sooner are we in the water than Eric lifts me in his arms and takes me into the deep, where he then throws me into the water. Determined to make him pay for his mischief, I stick one leg between his and, when he least expects it, give him a good dunking. That surprises him, so I try to get away, but he catches me again and plunges me underwater.

We have a lively time in the water, and when we come out, we throw ourselves on towels on the sand. We dry in the sun again, this time in silence. I get drowsy and am about to fall asleep when Eric gets up and proposes getting something to drink. I accept immediately. We gather our things and stroll up to a snack bar.

Eric goes to order our drinks while I secure a table. My cell buzzes. It’s my sister. I consider whether I should answer and decide I shouldn’t. It buzzes again and I surrender.

“What’s up, slug?”

“I’m the slug? I’ve called you a thousand times.”

She’s mad. My sister’s a case, but I’m not ready to spend three hours on the phone with her, so I get to the point fast.

“What’s up, Raquel?”

“Why haven’t you called me back?”

“Because I’m really busy. What’s going on?” I ask as I watch Eric order our drinks and text.

“I just want to talk to you.”

“Raquel, love, what if I call you back later? I can’t talk right now.”

I hear her sigh.

“Fine, but call me, OK?”

“Kiss.”

I hang up and close my eyes. I feel the ocean breeze on my face, and I’m happy. The day has been marvelous, and I don’t want it to end. The cell buzzes again, and convinced it’s my sister, I pick up.

“You’re a persistent one, Raquel—just what do you want?”

“Hey, beautiful, I’m sorry to say it’s not persistent Raquel.”

“Oh, Fernando, I’m sorry! I just hung up with my sister, and you know how she is.”

I can sense him smiling.

“Where are you?” he asks.

“Right now, in Sitges, Barcelona.”

“What are you doing there?”

“Working.”

“On a Saturday?”

“Today I’m out enjoying the sun and the beach.”

“Who are you with?”

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