Page 55 of What Happens in Paradise

‘She is being modest,’ a deep, sexy voice sounded behind me. I turned to see Alejandro striding towards us, looking hotter than a truckload of jalapenos in a pair of jean shorts and crisp white T-shirt. ‘Jasmine is an excellent baker. I am worried for my job now!’ He smiled at me.

‘Th-thanks,’ I stuttered. Anyone else would’ve downplayed my contribution and taken the credit for themselves. But not Alejandro. He knew I was insecure about my baking skills and used the opportunity to boost my confidence.

‘Big up yuhself.’Bob held out his hand in a fist bump. I did the same, and grinned as our fists connected.

‘We should get going. I hope you two have a good day.’ I waved to Nadine and Alejandro. Bob climbed into the driver’s seat.

‘Enjoy!’ Nadine said before leaving. But Alejandro didn’t move.

‘I am coming with you,’ he said.

‘But I thought we’d agreed to?—’

‘I am coming with you. As yourcolleague. Nothing more. I agreed to come because I think it is better that you have someone with you. I will not break that promise. But I want you to know that I listened to what you said last night and you are right. It was wrong of me to express my feelings. You do not have to worry about me doing that any more. I am sorry for making you uncomfortable. It will not happen again.’

Normally, Alejandro would open the car door for me. But this time, he didn’t. He went straight to the passenger side opposite to where I was standing and slid onto the backseat.

Looked like he was doing exactly what I’d asked.

He was keeping his distance.

He was keeping things between us strictly professional.

I knew it was for the best. It was 100 per cent the right thing to do.

So why the hell did I feel so disappointed?

19

ALEJANDRO

I was proud of myself. After speaking to Lola last night, today I was thinking more sensibly.

It was wrong of me to pursue Jasmine. We were both here to work, not fuck.

Did I think about her when I returned to my room and went in the shower?Sí.

Did I dream about her? A little.

And did I think she looked beautiful this morning? Definitely.

But Rome was not built in a day. I could not just turn off my feelings completely within a few hours. The important thing was that I would no longer act on them.

‘So your grandad does not know we are coming?’ I said, breaking the silence.

Rather than staring at Jasmine, to make things easier, I looked out of the window.

The sky wasn’t bright blue like it normally was. It was grey and cloudy. Hopefully, it would clear soon and the sun would shine through.

‘No,’ she replied with a little surprise in her voice. Perhaps she was expecting me to flirt or say something suggestive, but like I had said to her earlier, I was just here today as a colleague. ‘He doesn’t have a mobile, only a house phone, and he rarely answers that.’

‘And it is a small town that we will go to,sí?’

‘Yes, it’s in the countryside.’

‘That is good. If he is not at home, then it will be easier to find him. It is unlikely that he will go far.’

‘I hope so. It’d be a shame to travel all that way for it to be a wasted journey.’

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