Page 85 of His Innocent for One Spanish Night

He called Reception at the office and asked to speak to Emily Jacobs.

‘I don’t believe she’s in this morning,’ came the reply.

‘Of course she’s in!’ Alejandro was trying to keep himself from shouting. ‘Okay, can you put me through to the housekeeper’s apartment.’

There was a long silence.

‘I’m sorry.’ The receptionist finally buzzed in. ‘There’s no one picking up.’

He thought of her half-packed suitcase and their unfinished conversations...

Emily had left Jerez.

Alejandro was certain.

But it didn’t change how he felt.

Alejandro wanted her smile, and her voice, and the way they were sometimes silent but still together in peace.

He wanted to be there when her star soared.

He wanted her for the long-term.

With Emily he would readily commit to being faithful.

It was love...

Emily wore her chocolate-brown dress for the launch. She’d make an effort for her final day of work, even though she was exhausted.

Last night’s pre-launch party had gone on for ever.

All she’d wanted to do was escape and call Alejandro, resume their conversation. But Carmen had confided in her about a recent break-up, and Emily simply hadn’t known how to excuse herself.

She’d sat in the courtyard with her teary new friend, drinking hot chocolate until two a.m., before falling into bed and a dreamless sleep.

Now it was eight a.m. on Friday morning and Emily had found out that she loved Alejandro more than she was terrified of telling him about the baby. Because, as she crossed the courtyard, for a fleeting second her heart soared.

She honestly thought Alejandro had returned.

The charcoal-grey suit, the thick black hair...

But Alejandro had had his hair cut, she remembered, and even before he turned around, she’d quickly worked out that it was Sebastián.

‘Emile.’ He smiled and shook her hand. ‘It’s all up and running?’

‘Yes.’ She couldn’t be bothered to correct him about her name.

‘It’s looking great.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Could we speak in my office?’

‘Of course. Now?’

‘No rush—although I do have a lot on. And if you can bring your laptop? I want to check a few things.’

‘Sure.’

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