The Romeros really did keep themselves private, even if they both worked and lived on the premises.
His office was on the top floor, and it was quite a climb to get there.
‘Wow!’ Emily said, looking more at the gorgeous view than at the office itself. It was a bright blue morning in Jerez, and it was on full display up here. ‘Is this all yours?’ she asked, casting her eyes around.
‘It is. Sebastián has the south wing.’
‘You’ve had your hair cut.’ She smiled, looking at his closely cropped hair and itching to run her hand through it, but refraining.
‘I have,’ Alejandro said.
He decided to deal with business first—or perhaps he was just putting off telling her about New York?
‘I just spoke with him about the shot and he’s fine with you using that image of him. He asks that you don’t use any pictures that have Isabel in them.’
‘Of course...’
‘How’s it all going?’
‘It’s coming together. The translator’s been brilliant, and the IT guys are just checking the links. It will be ready to go live on Friday.’
‘Great.’
With business out of the way, he still could not quite bring himself to tell her, and decided instead to delay, just so he could see her smile.
He stood up from his desk and beckoned her to come over.
‘We’re at work,’ she said.
‘I’m not summoning you up here for sex,’ he said, opening up the latches on the window.
She frowned as she walked towards it, but then she saw that there was a view of the church spire, almost on the same level.
‘There have been arrivals...’ He pointed to the nest.
‘When?’
‘I only noticed them this morning, but I’d say they’re a few days old...’
‘I can’t see...’
‘Wait until she moves.’
They stood watching, waiting for the stork to move, and his fresh citrussy fragrance was strong.
‘Did you spill your cologne?’ she teased.
‘No—why?’
‘Just...’ She shrugged, and then stopped talking as finally there was movement in the nest. ‘Oh, my...’
There were three not-so-tiny chicks that she could see, and as she counted them it was with a smile. She stood there, feeling privileged to watch.
‘You have the best office view, Señor Romero. I’d get nothing at all done if I worked up here...’
Alejandro briefly closed his eyes. ‘No, it is I who would get nothing done if you worked up here...’ he said.
He was tempted to turn her to face him, to share a deep kiss, but knew he had to tell her the real reason he’d asked her to come up.