AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nodded. “Yep.”
“Scottish. Let me know if you want me to save you a seat at dinner. I’m here with two of my other girlfriends on holiday.”
I nodded as she turned to leave, grateful for the friendly Scott and on edge about the unwelcome lurker. Quickly, I blew on my phone hoping to clear out any sandy debris that had fallen in the cracks. The last thing I needed was to splurge my already tight budget on another cell phone.
Arriving back at the hostel, I was greeted with the delicious smells of paella and sounds of laughter. This hostel had a large gathering area on the first floor, including a lively bar with live music and dancing. To the side was the local paella maker in front of a large, traditional paella maker.
Tonight’s cook was an extremely attractive Spaniard with deep brown hair and sparkling eyes. His deep skin popped against the lights of the hostel, and I couldn’t help but notice when our eyes locked, there was something more devilish behind his smile.
I headed that way, eager to try a traditional dish from the handsome chef.
“Paella?” he asked, his accent thick, making me swoon.
“Yes, please,” I spoke, shooting a dazzling smile back.
He slowly filled my plate, handing it to me and intentionally allowing his hand to let his fingers linger, tracing mine gently.
What normally would have sparked excitement in me, another international tryst with a handsome stranger, felt like a stomped-out fire instead. Ethan’s attractive face and naked body flashed across my eyes, and I inwardly groaned as I turned back to my new Scottish friends.
“That cook is totally checking you out, Sasha,” Isla said, nudging me.
I looked up, my eyes meeting the handsome paella maker, a sexy smile still lingering on his lips.
“He’s definitely attractive,” I said, looking back at my dish.
We spent the rest of the evening laughing, enjoying our food, and trading stories about our holiday adventures between dancing.
“Have you checked out the festes major?” Isla asked me.
“Not yet, but I was thinking of heading down there tonight.”
“You’re welcome to ride with us. We can split the cab fare?”
I liked my new friends, and though the prospect of sticking around to see if the paella maker wanted to do a dangerous dance would have normally been tempting, thoughts of Ethan put me on cooler.
“I think I’m going to head to bed,” I said, kissing my new friends on the cheek as I turned to leave. “I might try to catch it tomorrow night, instead.” I headed up the steps to the dormitories, stripping down to my pajamas and slipping under the cool covers.
Fumbling for my phone, I opened Instagram to see what everyone else was doing tonight. I was in a new, exciting city, and instead of having another hot international fling, or dancing downtown with locals and tourists I was in bed before midnight, scrolling social media, thinking about the man whose phone number was tattooed on my foot.
I scolded myself, growing annoyed with my thoughts, but my curiosity about Ethan wouldn’t allow me to let it go. Perhaps if I got closure regarding where he was located, I could stop thinking about him and start enjoying my time in Spain.
Gently, I pulled off one of my fuzzy pink socks revealing those ten damning tattooed numbers. ‘313’ was the area code.
Quietly I punched them into Google, my breath held as if Ethan himself was going to burst through the door and catch me as I played detective. I could just picture the handsome smirk he'd have on his face as he'd point and yell 'gotcha! I knew you were interested in me!' I chuckled to myself in the dark.
Area code 313 belongs to Detroit, Michigan. Google responded.
Woosh, I let out a loud breath of relief. Detroit was nowhere close to my home in Washington, DC. I clicked my phone off, squeezing my eyes closed and willing sleep to come.
Unfortunately, my brain wouldn't let me, and I knew it was because there was something still that I needed to take care of first.
Pulling my phone back out from under my pillow I dialed up a number I knew by heart. It was evening on the east coast, so I knew she’d still be awake.
“Hi Mom, it’s me. I think it's time for me to come home.”
Chapter 16: Sasha
Spring in DC had always held a special place in my heart. The cherry blossoms, casting the city in a delicate pink hue, symbolized a season of renewed possibilities.
