Rafa remained silent.He was too noble, too kind, too accepting of all her faults.Her heart ached.He was too good for her, and she knew it.She knew he would never ask her that.
“Can I tell you something?”he asked.
“Yes.”
“I love you, Sal.Together, we can weather storms and build something meaningful.When I look at us, I see us wrinkled, gray, and happy.I know how much Autumn Town means to you.So I won’t ask you to stay.”He looked deeply into her eyes.“I’ve never been so afraid of losing anyone in my entire life.You’re my person.You’re that someone I turn to, knowing that all will be all right as long as you hold me through it.So I want to protect you, to care for you, and to love you.Please, promise me you’ll be fine without me.”
Sal nodded.“I promise,” she said, her eyes wet with tears.He released his hold on her face, and she buried her head in the soft base of his neck.“I love you too.”
Rafa caressed her back.He bent over and left a trail of kisses on her chest up to the edge of her jaw.She willingly surrendered, arching her back slightly so he could kiss her in more places.He reached her ear and groaned, “Can I have you now?”
Sal let out a soft whimper and nodded.She wanted him.She wanted his weight, feel, and smell on her.He lifted her and placed her on the leather sofa, and they made passionate love throughout the night.
Chapter Ten
Willow the Wise
SAL
Earlythenextmorning,Sal called Willow before stopping over at her café.“Hey, let’s have breakfast,” she proposed.
“Sure.You know I’m here anyway,” Willow responded.
When Sal arrived at the café half an hour later, Willow immediately gave her a look of concern.Deep creases formed in the middle of her brow as she frowned.“Woah.What’s been keeping you up at night?”she asked.Was it that obvious that she stayed up all night after making love to Rafa?
“I’ll tell you over a long black this morning,” Sal said as she removed her coat, sat down, and buried her face in her hands
Willow remained silent and gingerly offered Sal her order.“Here.”She slid the cup across the table.Sal took a slow and languid sip, properly appreciating it.Willow always brewed an excellent long black.“Feel better?”she asked.
“Yeah,” Sal exhaled.She stared into her coffee mug for a bit and summoned the courage to speak.Then she finally said, “Willow, I need you to do me a huge favor.”
“What do you need?”
“Can you come with me to the Philippines?Rafa can’t go.”
Willow breathed in.“For a holiday?”
Sal shook her head and took one more sip of coffee.Over breakfast, Willow found out about Harmon, Autumn Town, the wager, and how things were tighter than ever now that the sale of the paintings was canceled.By the time Sal finished, Willow had already made her own coffee and finished half.She had a pensive look to her, and Sal couldn’t help but ask, “What are you thinking?”
Willow let out an embarrassed smile.“Oh…” she said as though surprised, “I was just wondering when I last went on an adventure.I’m sorry, I know it’s insensitive; you have a lot on your plate.”She sighed.
“No, it’s not, really.When was the last time?”Sal indulged her.
Willow traced the lip of her mug.“It’s been eight years since I returned from Ireland and set up Willow’s Web.”Willow’s face lit up when she spoke about her café.“I was super determined to make sure this place thrived.Here I am, years later.”
Sal smiled affectionately.It felt comforting to hear someone else share their love for a business they felt passionate about.If anything bad happened to Willow’s Web, she’d do everything to keep it running too.It was more than just her nest egg; Willow’s Web was a symbol of who she was.That’s why Sal knew Willow of all people would understand why she had to go for Autumn Town.
Over the years, Sal would listen to Willow share how she lovingly chose and worked on every varnished wooden plank, polished table, and hanging lamp with her own two hands.She knew what it meant to have one’s soul attached to something they’d built.
Willow took one more sip of her coffee and said, “I think I’ve carried Willow’s Web long enough through her infancy.”She ran a hand along the smooth wooden table, as though she was talking about her café like it was her child.“She’ll be fine without me.I’ve got good people here who can take over.Besides, I’ve never been to the Philippines—this would be fun.”She beamed.
Sal let out a grateful, relieved smile in response.
“How long will we be away, then?”Willow said, not giving Sal enough time to say thank you.
“Two months,” Sal replied.“Harmon will shoulder the airplane tickets, but we’re pretty much on our own from there.”
By the time Sal had explained everything, Willow looked more decided on going with her.
