Page 117 of What Happens in Paradise

‘I’m glad. It was my fourth attempt and it wasn’t as fun baking it by myself as it was with you.’

‘Next time, we can bake it together.’

‘That would be great! Maybe you could teach me a few more dishes too?’

‘Por supuesto,’ I confirmed. ‘I want to do everything with you: cook, travel… enjoy all that life has to offer. Whatever comes our way, as long as we are together, I know it will be wonderful.’

‘Agreed!’ She kissed me again. ‘Seeing as we both have work tomorrow in our new big fancy roles, this might be the most relaxing day we have off for a while, so we should get started on enjoying ourselves.’

‘What would you suggest we do first?’

‘I was about to clear up the kitchen then make a start on lunch, but perhaps we could skip straight to dessert?’ She raised her eyebrow suggestively.

‘Well, you are the newly crowned Dessert Doyenne.’ I stood up, took her hand and led her to the bedroom. ‘And as the English like to say, dessert isalwaysa good idea.’

EPILOGUE

JASMINE

Three months later

‘Make a wish!’ Evita called out as everyone gathered around the table with my giant birthday cake.

We were at Lola’s house in South London where we’d come to celebrate my fortieth with our closest friends and family.

As well as Alejandro, or Ale as I now called him, his sisters and their partners, I’d invited Stella, Max, Sammie and Max’s friends Colton, Natalie their adorable daughter, Betty and my family: not just my parents, but my grandad and his wife Lorna too.

I still couldn’t believe we’d been reunited.

Ale could see how disappointed I was that I didn’t get to see Grandad in Jamaica, so he’d secretly liaised with Bob to visit him. It took a few attempts, but when Bob finally got to speak to him, he’d video called me and let’s just say, it was a very emotional call.

When I knew I’d be in London for my birthday, I asked Grandad if he’d like to visit and when he accepted, I organised the flights for him and Lorna.

Telling Mum was hard and when they’d first reunited, it was awkward, but they were slowly working through things and Mum even thanked me for bringing him over, which was progress.

‘Happy birthday, half pint!’ Grandad smiled, then blew me a kiss. I was so happy he was here to share my special day with me.

‘Gwaan,Miss Jasmine!’ Bob’s voice boomed from my phone. He’d video called from Jamaica because he didn’t want to miss out on my celebrations.

I blew out the candles and tried to think of a wish.

‘What did you ask for?’ Betty asked innocently.

‘It’s a secret,’ Max said sweetly, pressing his finger on his lip.

‘The truth is,’ I said, wrapping my arm around Ale’s waist, ‘it was hard to find something to wish for, because I already have everything I could ever want. I’m surrounded by people I adore, including my grandad, I have my dream job and the most incredible partner a woman could ask for.’

Before I went to Jamaica, I was dreading my fortieth birthday. But now, as clichéd as it sounded, I honestly felt like my life was only just beginning. I had so much to look forward to.

Ale leant forward and gave me one of his amazing kisses that I loved so much.

I’d thought the time we’d spent in Jamaica was magical, but the last few months were even better.

After the first month, it was clearer than ever that we were madly in love, so we started looking for a bigger place together. It took a few weeks, but eventually, we found a house near the beach. It wasn’t cheap, but with our increased salaries, we were both able to afford the rent and still have enough to put aside for holidays and enjoying life.

Work was going brilliantly for both of us. I was loving my new role. I still got to work closely with our guests, plus I was developing a training programme for Love Alchemists in the hotel’s rapidly expanding international locations which was so exciting. And my new boss was much nicer than Hazel. I felt supported and valued.

Ale was thriving too. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t receive comments from our guests about how amazing his food was. He was building a talented team too and I loved seeing how much he enjoyed sharing his knowledge.

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