Page 47 of A Coffee Away

I glanced at Esteban, who nodded. “We met at the beach.”

“The beach?” Gina widened her eyes. “So you met running Esteban.”

Esteban stopped kneading my neck and took my hand.

I relaxed and leaned closer to him. “Yes. He was quite charming.”

Esteban turned toward me, a smirk plastered on his face. “You think I’m charming?”

My face warmed, but I wanted to see if I could make him blush. “Now I think you’re a possessive, irresistible, and devilishly handsome guy.”

His face reddened.

Gina and Javi laughed.

It was a sight to behold. For once, Esteban was out of words.

“Okay. So Esteban tells me you’re living together,” Javi said.

A tingling warmth ran through my limbs. He’d taken me in when I had nothing and made me realize my own worth when all I saw was darkness. Now my life had purpose thanks to him.

Esteban squeezed my hand. “Roberto had a family situation, and I offered for him to stay with me. He’s working at a gallery and sells his art. His art is something else.”

I took a swig of my beer, my mouth suddenly dry. “That’s an overstatement.”

“Oh no, it’s not. He sent me a video of your night at the gallery. You have talent,” Gina said.

“It’s like we can see you through the art. It’s so deep,” Javi said.

Something inside me fluttered to life. That part that turned to darkness the moment my parents rejected me. These were amazing people, and they accepted and loved their son no matter what. Maybe, just maybe, they could fill that void inside me.

“Is something the matter, son?” Javi asked.

My heart jerked at the endearment.

I took a cracker. “I’m okay. Just got a lot on my mind.”

Esteban caressed my left thigh the whole time. He was like a lifeline, always there. I couldn’t imagine what would have happened to me if it weren’t for him.

Two hours later, we said our goodbyes.

“Your parents are fun,” I said matter-of-factly as Esteban turned on his car.

He glanced my way, then squeezed my thigh. “Are you okay? I know that must have been hard.”

I shrugged. “Maybe at first. The kindness and support I experienced reassured me that I made the right decision.” I clasped his hand and kissed it. “This.”

Esteban let out a soft breath, and his smile built as we passed the beach.

I glanced out the window. The beach in Luquillo gleamed with sunlight and warmth. Palm trees stretched along its gentle curve. The golden sand was almost ethereal, and the turquoise water seemed to go on forever. It needed to be on canvas. “Can we stop?”

Esteban glanced at me, then parked along the coast. “Do I bring your stuff?”

I nodded and stepped out.

I took my Crocs off and walked down the beach until the foam of the waves touched my toes. The scent of salt and sun mingled with the aroma drifting from the fritoleras in the kioskos nearby. I could almost taste the crisp codfish from the bacalaitos frying in their pans. And the alcapurrias… I caught their scent from a kiosko farther down the beach, those green banana‑and‑pork fritters that always made my mouth water.

His presence filled my space before I saw him. He was always like that. His aura enveloped me, burning me with the need to be with him.