Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Grace reaches for me, and I quickly take hold of her hand.
“I’m sorry,” she says, remorse thick in her voice.
I shake my head and give her a comforting smile. The last thing I want is Grace hurting because of what happened to me.
“It’s okay,” I assure her before asking, “Can we talk about something else?”
Nodding, she pulls herself together, then says, “Let’s get some wine.”
As if on command, a female server appears, and Grace says, “Bring us a bottle of non-alcoholic rosé, please.”
“And two whiskeys for me and Dominik,” Santiago adds. He waits for the server to leave before saying, “We’re only here until Wednesday morning. I have to get back to Peru to take care of some business.”
Grace’s eyes dart between me and Santiago, then she asks, “Are you going with Santiago?” She reaches for my hand again, giving it a squeeze. “Not that I’m pressuring you. I just thought you’d like to stay with me.”
I force a smile to my lips, but it trembles because I don’t want to upset her. “I… you just had a baby.”
It’s a lame excuse. If anything, I can help her with Kristian. If the past year had happened differently and I wasn’t separated from Grace, I would’ve been at her side twenty-four seven.
But that’s not the case.
Knowing I have to be honest, I admit, “It’s difficult for me to be away from Santiago.” I give her a pleading look. “He…makes me feel safe.”
And a million other things that help keep the trauma at bay.
“I understand,” she replies, her features softening. “I’m glad you feel safe with him.”
The server brings the drinks, and I let out a breath of relief. When I’m handed a glass of wine, I take a tentative sip before setting it down on the table.
Grace has a few sips before she smiles at me. “What do you think of Santiago’s place in Peru? It’s beautiful, right?”
I nod, my smile widening. “It was intimidating at first, but now it feels like home. I’ve only been in the village once, though. I like sitting outside on the veranda.”
“And what do you think of the island?” she asks.
“The parts I’ve seen are really beautiful.”
Grace takes another sip of her wine, and it has me also picking up my glass.
As I drink some of the pink liquid, she says, “Remember how drunk you got on your twenty-first?” She lets out a chuckle. “We had so much fun that night.”
The memory has a smile tipping up my lips.
“That’s something I’d pay to see,” Santiago mutters.
I shake my head. “I had a headache for days and couldn’t get out of bed. I’ll never drink that much again.”
“It was the tequila,” Grace chuckles.
The server appears again, handing out menus. I glance over the selection of dishes. Suddenly, I realize I have to choose what I want to eat, and it hits me square in the chest.
Up until now, I’ve eaten whatever Santiago’s staff prepared for us, and before that…
Nope, not thinking of that.
Santiago leans a little closer. “What do you feel like eating, mi sol?”
My eyes scan over the menu again, then I turn my head to meet his eyes. “Uhm…maybe the filet?”
“How would you like it prepared?” the server asks.
“Medium to well done.”
“Veggies, fries, or salad?”
“Fries, please,” I reply, and it feels so good to place my order, a grin forms on my face.
I begin to enjoy myself, and when I look at Grace, I can feel the bond I used to share with her strengthening again.
Chapter 22
SANTIAGO
This trip to the island turned out in my favor. I’m no longer nervous about the future because Ciara’s made it clear she wants to stay with me.
Thank fuck.
I don’t know how I would’ve handled having to leave her with Grace.
Eladio is recovering well, and I get to spoil Ciara today for her birthday. Things are looking good.
Lying awake in bed at one am with my arm tucked under my head, I’m too excited to sleep. I’m waiting for five o’clock so I can wake Ciara and we can watch the sunrise together.
A soft shuffling noise has my eyes flicking to the partially open door, and climbing out of bed, I switch on the bedside lamp.
Before Ciara, I used to sleep naked, but since she’s been living with me, I wear sweatpants so I don’t accidentally traumatize her even more.
I walk to the door, and opening it, I find Ciara sitting on the floor right outside my bedroom.
Looking terrified, her eyes dart up to me, and she whispers, “Sorry, did I wake you?”
“No.” I crouch down. “Why are you sitting on the floor?”
“I had a bad dream.” Her eyes sweep over my chest, and the fear quickly vanishes from her face.
Holding out my hand to her, I smile. “Want to sleep by me?”
She quickly places her hand in mine, and as I help her up, she says, “Please. If it’s okay.”