Page 116 of What Happens in Paradise

‘You’d better, because it’s happening! Your dream has finally come true!’

‘Wow. Lola and Evita will be so happy.’

‘And proud. Just like I am. You did it! Just like we all knew you would.’

Now two tears came to my eyes. Freya would have been proud of me too.

‘Gracias.’

‘No need to thank me. You’re the one that did all the hard work.’

‘Celine also told me that you had emailed her?’ I said.

‘I did. I told her you were amazing and she’d basically be an idiot not to get you back and promote you.’

‘Ha!’ I smiled. ‘I told her the same in my email. But I did not call her an idiot!’

‘No? You missed out. It was strangely effective!’ She laughed and the sound made my chest swell.

‘And us?’ I said, bringing it back to the most important part of our conversation.

She took my hands in hers and as we both sat back on the sofa, I prepared myself for her response.

‘I did a lot of thinking and you’re right: the fact that we work together and the age difference don’t matter. The fact is, I love you, Alejandro. More than anything. And I don’t want to waste time worrying about the future and what may or may not happen. I know we’ll be great together. So I’d love to go all in, if you’ll still have me?’

‘There is nothing I would want more.’ I leant over to kiss her. Getting my job back was fantastic. Finally becoming Cuisine King was incredible news too. But hearing that Jasmine loved me and wanted us to be together was the greatest news of all.

‘That’s a relief!’ She laughed when we came up for air for a few seconds before kissing again.

When we had finally lasted more than thirty seconds without our lips fused together, I remembered something.

‘I do not mean to question your maths.’ I stroked her cheek. ‘But you said there were four pieces of good news, but you only mentioned three extra things?’

‘Oh yeah!’ She smiled. ‘I got promoted too!’

I bolted upright, my eyes wide.

‘Why did you not tell me that as the first piece of news? That is amazing!’ I pulled her in for a hug and then gave her another long, slow kiss.

‘You’re now looking at the new Love Alchemist Empress.’

‘Congratulations! I am so happy for you. You deserve this!’ I squeezed her tight.

‘Thanks.’ She smiled. ‘I’m so excited!’

‘I know how much this means to you. You’re going to be the best Love Alchemist Empress in the universe!’ I said and meant every word. ‘Actually, you are not the only person with extra good news.’

‘Oh?’

‘Sí. Your cake. I tried it and once again, it was delicious. So I am officially declaring you a Dessert Doyenne.’

‘Dessert Doyenne?’ She laughed again.

‘Well, as we are employees, sorry, Romance Rockstars, of the Love Hotel once again, it is only right that I give you a crazy job title, no?’

‘Very true! So you really liked it?’

‘I loved it!’

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