Ilias met her gaze. “What about that, habiba?”
Sofia shrugged as Amira caught another wave, scored a perfect 10.00, and won her first USL event. Ilias jumped up, hugging Emir, his mother, and her. Ghita screeched. Everyone celebrated as Amira was lifted on the beach, Alejandra the first to hug her.
Ah. Her best friend. The softest heart with the hardest exterior.
The rest of the night passed in celebration—calling Amira, cheering from afar.
Sofia slipped onto a corner of the big balcony overlooking the bay. The sun dipped low, painting everything in warm, earthytones. Phone in hand, she video-called Alejandra, who answered with a bright smile.
“I knew you weren’t going to let her lose her chance,” Sofia declared.
“Shhh,” Alejandra said, walking away from the crowd. “What can I say.” She grinned, “I’m an angel—but I did slip.”
Sofia cocked an eyebrow.
“I did, for real. I planned to fuck it up another way, but I slipped,” she admitted. “Amira deserved it. She did amazing here. And I’ve been slacking. She deserved it more than me.”
“You slacked and still made the Final of the tour. Such an overachiever, always,” Sofia joked.
“How are you? How’s everything there?” Alejandra asked, studying her.
“Everything’s great. In a couple of days we will go back to Ericeira. I’ll miss Imsouane, but I miss Ericeira, my house and Salacia. I’m happy to go back,” she smiled. “And I met Ilias’ mother. She came here.”
Her eyes widened. “What?? That’s amazing. She’s the cutest.”
“She is,” Sofia admitted as she turned around, checking on Ilias—smiling, talking with his family, hugging Emir, joking with him.
“What are you thinking, Sofi?”
“I’m happy. Everything is fixed, Ale. Salacia is going amazing, Imsouane is saved, Thomas is being investigated by Lamina, and I’m happy. I have Ilias, and I love him so much.” Her nose started to pinch.
“But?”
“I miss Papà.”
“I know. I miss him too,” Alejandra said softly. “But he’d scold you if he knew you were crying over him. He asked notto be forgotten, and you’re living while remembering him every day. He’d be proud of you.”
A tear streamed down Sofia’s cheek. “Do you think Ilias will get tired of seeing me cry every day? I feel like such a crybaby.”
Alejandra chuckled. “I think Ilias could never get tired of anything you do. That man loves you. Enjoy it, Sofi.”
Sofia nodded. “Congrats on the defeat, Ale.”
Alejandra laughed. “Love you, Sofi.”
“Love you, Ale.”
When she hung up, Sofia took a deep breath and returned to dinner. Because Alejandra was right—she had to keep living for her father. And even if it hurt, she was happy. Something the Sofia of just a few months ago hadn’t been.
That was more than enough.
EPILOGUE
ILIAS
Infinito – Eugenio In Via Di Gioia
Two months later
