Page 40 of Midnight Surrender to the Spaniard

She sat alone at the table, but without him she felt uncomfortable. And as she went to choose from the gorgeous pastry selection she knew why.

‘Not so bold without your boss here.’

Anna turned. It was one of the women in the group for whom Sebastián had refused to move. She must have seen them both with their phones out and assumed that Anna worked for him. And she hadn’t finished with her snide digs yet.

‘And I thought the Romero brand was about elegance...’

And, no, here in Puerto Banús Anna found shewasn’tso bold without Sebastián there.

She sat back down at her table for a few moments, trying to eat the pastry she had selected. Then she pretended to use her phone, just for something to do. But she could feel the ice of the woman’s gaze upon her and soon left.

Sebastián drove her to the hospital, but declined to come inside.

‘Alejandro is going to sit with the baby while you visit Emily.’ He looked over at her. ‘What are you going to do this afternoon?’

‘I’m not sure. I’ll go to the beach, maybe—see if I can go home with a tan.’

‘Don’t burn like a tourist. Take it slow.’

‘I’m not going to get burnt.’

‘Okay,’ he said, in a voice that meant business. ‘Now I’m going to ask the awkward question: Do you need some money?’

‘No!’

‘Because it is expensive here. Use the restaurant at the hotel, and room service, and when you’re on the beach just charge everything to the villa.’ He must have seen her eyes close. ‘But you won’t do that, will you?’

‘I’ll get some snacks at the shop to take with me.’

‘Dios!’He had the audacity to laugh. ‘Just—’ Then he must have seen her pained face. ‘Go and see your friend.’

Sebastián watched her walk off, her pale legs poking out of her ill-fitting white shorts, and he thought of her on the extremely exclusive beach, unpacking a lunch box while burning alive and being roasted by the rest of the clientele.

He did not want to get involved with Anna, but he was very aware that he’d messed up her first weekend away from her daughter.

And now circumstance was ruining Anna’s first holiday without her.

Instead of relaxing, she was stuck with hospital visits.

Instead of spending time with her friend, Anna was alone.

His apology wasn’t enough, Sebastián knew. He wanted to make up for that morning.

The hospital was cool—until she stepped onto the maternity ward, which was so hot Anna felt as if she might already be on the beach.

Having washed her hands, she was shown to a gorgeous room and there, looking tearful and utterly exhausted, was Emily.

‘This wasn’t how it was supposed to be!’ Emily blurted out and promptly burst into tears.

‘Oh, you poor thing!’ Anna gave her a hug. ‘I’m so glad I’m here...even if I can’t see you very much. How is she?’

‘They say she’s doing well...’ Emily gulped. ‘But they’re having to help her with her breathing. There are so many machines...’

There were indeed a lot of machines, Anna thought as they gazed through the glass at the special care unit.

Oh, gosh, she was so tiny, and yet so perfect. The hair poking out of her little knitted hat grew in blonde tufts, like Emily’s, and her tiny hands were pink and reaching out, as if trying to hold on to something.

And there was Alejandro, his hand going into the porthole and taking his tiny daughter’s fingers, utterly engrossed, at first unaware of his audience. Then he saw them and gave Anna a smile, pointing to the cap and gown he was wearing.

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