AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lynn sipped her drink. “I’m a social worker.”
“Tough job.”
“Sometimes. Mostly it’s rewarding, helping disadvantaged kids so they get a shot at life. The successes make it worth the hideous hours and shit pay.”
“It’s a proper job.”
“What about you?”
“Bar work. And I make jewellery.” She’d almost left off talking about the jewellery because she mostly felt embarrassed about it. She hadn’t made many things and although what she’d done had been well received, she’d surmised it was because she’d given the stuff away either to her friend or to Nana.
“Are you any good?” She tugged at Gabi’s jeans and held her gaze.
Gabi wondered if the topic of the question had changed. “I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, eh?”
“True.” Lynn smiled. “You have pretty eyes.”
Gabi blushed. She wasn’t into Lynn, but it was still nice talking to her, familiar, like being back home. She was drawn to the music a distance away. Lynn leaned into her. The warmth against Gabi’s ear sent a tingle down her spine. She put her hand on Lynn’s waist.
“You have a gentle energy,” Lynn whispered.
Gabi should say something positive in response but didn’t want to encourage her. She wanted to get back to the square and to the music. She opened her eyes and froze as she clocked the woman walking past the bar, right in front of them. She was sure it was her, the flamenco dancer she’d seen on that first night.
Lynn backed away. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Gabi blinked several times and started to doubt herself. She craned her neck but couldn’t see the dancer anywhere. “Nothing,” she said. “I’m good.”
Lynn looked in the direction Gabi had stared. She glanced around. “Did I miss something?” she asked.
Gabi turned to her and smiled. “No, it’s nothing. Hey, look, can we take a rain check tonight? Maybe do this another night. My nana’s waiting for me at the hotel.” That sounded lame. She cringed.
Lynn sighed. “I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Gabi pursed her lips. Lynn was sweet, but she didn’t set Gabi’s heart racing or cause the electric feeling in her stomach to intensify. Lynn was nothing like the dancer. “Shame,” Gabi said and hoped she’d sounded more genuine than she felt.
“Maybe we could hook up when you’re back,” Lynn said.
Lynn looked sad and lonely. Gabi felt the echo of it touch her heart, but she couldn’t make a promise she knew she wouldn’t keep. “It’s a nice offer, but I’m not sure if we’re going back to England.”
Lynn pecked a kiss on Gabi’s cheek. “Well, it was good to meet you. I’ll let you get back to your nana,” she said.
Gabi smiled. “Have a fun last night.”
Lynn lifted her glass. “Oh, I intend to,” she said and headed back into the bar.
Gabi followed the music back to the fountain where she’d watched the group on that first night. The crisp sound of castanets came fast and furious, and the guitar was wild and intoxicating. She worked her way through the crowd, joined in the clapping and cheering, and the hairs on her neck prickled. And then she saw the dancer and stopped, breathless.
She held her long skirt by the hem up above her knees and swayed it back and forth, while her other hand above her head moved with the music. Gabi didn’t feel drunk enough to be imagining the desire this woman stirred in her. It was very real. It was pure. Fresh. She was the most beautiful woman Gabi had ever seen, and Gabi’s body wasn’t going to let her forget it easily. The dancer’s almost black hair floated freely around her tanned face as she danced, and her dark eyes took on the fierce stare of a hunter, shrouding her in mystery. Her full lips parted to reveal beautifully white teeth and when she chanted, Gabi felt the vibration in every note.
Whatever it was that this woman did, and however she did it, Gabi was affected in the strangest way. It wasn’t just that she was stunning and alluring. It was the passion, the fire in her eyes, and as the beat quickened, Gabi became hypnotised by her, as she had been on that first night.
The dance came to an end too soon, and Gabi made her way back to the hotel in a trance. The dancer had awakened something inside her. This wasn’t the predictable thrill she’d get from a night with the Lynns of the world. She could live without that and not miss it. This feeling, this sense, like the puzzle seeking a solution or the warm breeze gently commanding a response from her that she couldn’t deny was captivating. It wasn’t about missing something or living without, it was about discovering something powerful within her that she’d ignored for too long. It came with a large dose of excitement and a hint of alarm, and she had no option but to hold on tight and go with it.
Gabi considered what she would say to her, and her stomach tightened. Why was she freaked out about having a simple conversation that had come effortlessly with Lynn just an hour earlier? And yet, she couldn’t look at this woman, couldn’t think about her without her mouth parching and her heart racing. She would come back next week to see the group, and in the meantime, Gabi would summon the courage to speak to the dancer.
8.
“AISHA QUÉ TE PASA? You are not paying attention. Your sister needs our help for this most important time in her life, and your head is in the clouds.”
