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“We have a van, thanks,” he said.
Aisha shook her head and smiled at Gabi. “We’ll take that walk another time,” she said and stood.
Gabi nodded.
Nicolás looked from Aisha to Gabi and smiled. “Let’s go,” he said and squeezed Aisha’s arm.
“I’ll see you Monday,” she said.
Gabi nodded.
Aisha left the bar and when she looked back, Gabi was heading in the other direction with her head lowered. She glanced at Nicolás and wanted to wipe the smile from his face. “Did you have to be so rude?”
“What’s happening on Monday?” he asked.
She wanted to tell him it was none of his business. “I’m going to help make curtains for their new place,” she said and strode ahead of him.
She stayed silent for the journey home and struck by more than tiredness, said goodnight to Nicolás before he could suggest anything else. In bed, she wrapped her arms around herself and imagined it was Gabi holding her tightly. Warm tears caressed her cheek, and she strengthened her grip. She thought about seeing Gabi again, and her mind calmed, her body became heavy, and she drifted to sleep.
18.
“MIO CARIÑO, THIS TASTES delicious. A little more paprika, then some lemon close to the end, and it will be excelente.”
Nana wore a soft pink, cotton dress that she’d picked up from the market, her locket, and the butterfly brooch. She’d applied eye shadow and blusher, which she never normally did, and had set her hair. She looked elegant and had made a big effort for what Gabi classed as a casual dinner with Aisha. “I feel I missed something on the invite,” she said, looking down at her beach shorts and vest.
“I forgot to say, I’m popping out this evening.”
“Where to?”
“Señor Cortez invited me for a drink.”
“Who?”
“Pablo, the man from the house at the end of the street, with the infinity pool and the pretty fruit and olive trees.”
They’d noticed the grand house when they’d walked past, and they didn’t need to get Nana’s binoculars out to get a good view of its rear gardens from their terrace. The place was like the mansion where Nana had spent her childhood, that they’d driven past after they arrived, though it was smaller, a lot less pretentious, and the terrain less guarded. She’d imagined leaning over the edge of the pool with a cocktail in her other hand, the water trickling through her fingers into infinity, enjoying the view of the hills. The land around the property was terraced with rows of citrus, plums, and figs that would provide a good harvest. Grape vines trailed the trellises, giving shade to an extensive patio area. She could see Nana enjoying the gardens there and clearly, the company.
“I’ve seen Pablo a couple of times,” Nana said. She cleared her throat. “He’s going to show me his citrus sinensis arancio.”
“I bet he is.” Gabi laughed.
“It’s a sweet orange tree. The best in Granada.”
Gabi couldn’t tell whether it was the blusher or an increase in body heat that flushed Nana’s cheeks. It was nice to see her happy and making friends. “Sounds great.”
“He has orchards of punica granatum he’s going to show me.”
“Are you testing my Greek?”
Nana smiled. “Latin, Gabriela. He owns the local grenadine factory. He’s very interesting,” Nana said and patted Gabi’s arm.
“You’ll be back for dinner, though, won’t you?” Gabi said.
“Oh, no, cariño. Pablo’s making us dinner, so I’ll be back sometime after midnight.”
Gabi closed her eyes as the heat swept through her. Her stomach fizzed, and her heart raced. Being alone with Aisha was everything she wanted, and it made her as nervous as hell. She’d thought Nana was dining with them, and the fact that she wasn’t was fantastic.
“I’ll be off then,” Nana said. “Say hello to Aisha for me.”
