Page 80 of The Heartbreak Hotel

Oh, shit. She still hadn’t answered him. She forced a laugh and shook her head. “Sorry. Just thinking about the end of all of this.”

He filled the cups with water and set them in the sink before turning around. “There’s a lot to think about.” He regarded her in that all-seeing way that made Ella itch at her stupid scarf again. “The fire ceremony will help you steer your path. And, of course, the discovery of your spirit guide also.”

“Any chance you can let me know now?”

“De grão a grão, enche a galinha o papo.” When Ella looked back at him blankly, he beamed. “Grain by grain, the chicken fills its crop. You can’t rush these things.”

A simple “No” would’ve sufficed.

Ella should’ve known to expect something cryptic from him. She smiled back; one more day wasn’t long to wait. And she wasn’t looking for quick fixes anymore. That was something she hoped to leave behind here. She was still finding her purpose in life; she was still jobless and unsure about her next steps, but truthfully, she was okay with that. Who really knew anything? Just because Devin and Clarice had seemingly got their shit together, didn’t mean Ella was a disappointment. Just because they were set on achieving every medical award ever created, and their two little perfect twins were already more talented than she was at playing piano—especially considering all Ella’s years of lessons—that didn’t mean she was failing. She was more in touch with life than she’d ever been. She had to stop comparing herself to others.

She nodded and rose to her feet. “Thank you.”

Senhor Arenoso opened his palms to her. “You did all the work.”

Not quite. She bit her tongue. If it’d been up to her, she’d have happily catnapped on the comfy chaise-longue in the corner until the sessions were up. But Senhor and Marco Marcos had pushed her to look past the barriers she constructed around herself. Removing them had helped her see where she’d been standing in her own way, and where she’d been blaming other people—her mother, for one. Over the last few years, their relationship had faded in parts. Ella was too busy or, more likely, too embarrassed to turn up when she’d got nothing to show. But she realised she’d piled that pressure on herself. It was enough to just turn up.

She considered the man in front of her. His kind eyes and patient demeanour. She understood why Riley held him in such high regard. A small fleck of guilt peeled away when she thought about how he might feel about Riley leaving. She glanced at the floor, swallowed, and then forced herself to speak. “No, really. Thank you for everything. This whole experience has changed my life.”

“I’m happy you’re finding yourself again. That’s all we can ask for.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, those dark eyes peering into hers. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the fire ceremony.” The corners of his mouth quirked, and then he removed his hand.

What was that smile about?

Ella uttered another thanks, grabbed her bag, and stepped out into the hot Portuguese sun. Ah, she was going to miss this. She let the light warm her skin and then checked her watch. Riley should be done with her classes for the day.

The thought of seeing her sparked something hot in her stomach, and she started walking faster. Ever since the anniversary of Riley’s accident, their relationship had shifted. The fear had dispersed, making room for more openness and touching. Riley especially had seemed to get a new lease of life. Ella was almost too afraid to say it out into the universe, but…she was…excited about the future.

God, I even make myself wanna puke.

But the shit-eating grin stayed on her face as she hiked up the steps and drifted through the courtyard. People were milling about, carrying logs, firewood, and decorations, readying themselves for the ceremony tomorrow. Ella’s gaze combed the space, finding the familiar mane of blonde hair as Riley carried her surfboard out of the hire shop. Her blue eyes immediately landed on Ella.

“Hey, you.” She smirked, her focus drifting to the scarf wrapped around Ella’s neck.

“Hey, yourself.”

They stood watching each other for a moment, and butterflies multiplied in Ella’s belly.

“You wanna walk?” Riley asked, and the two of them started making their way up the path to their cabins, narrowly avoiding a young girl pulling a cart full of wood. “How was your last session with Senhor Arenoso?”

“Good.” Ella nodded as their steps fell into sync. “He’s happy with my progress.”

“That’s great. How you feeling about the ceremony tomorrow?”

Ella glanced at Riley as she readjusted the board under her arm. She admired the curve of her bicep, briefly thinking about tracing the outline with her tongue. She cleared her throat, raising her eyes to greet a passer-by. “I’m a bit apprehensive. Nervous. I don’t really know what to expect.”

“The fire ceremony is a guest favourite for a reason. The fire cleanses and marks our new start, clearing the past and guiding us forward.” Riley grazed Ella’s shoulder with hers, and the fuzzy feeling in her stomach grew. “Though I admit I’m nervous about this one too.”

“You are?” They rounded the corner, the tree with the creepy fingers waving its greeting from the top of the hill. “How come?”

“It’s also my last. Leaving all of this behind…saying goodbye…it’s going to be difficult.”

Ella’s heart sank. “You can still change your mind. If it’s not what you want.”

They reached the creepy tree and stopped outside Ella’s door. Riley rested her surfboard against the wall and turned to face her. She took her hands and brought them to her lips, planting kisses on her fingers. “I’ve made my decision, Ella. When our path starts to merge with another and change direction, we have to listen.” Her steady blue irises held Ella’s. Tingles spread down her arms and spine. “I’m scared, but I have faith in my path. I know Senhor Arenoso will understand that too. I hope.” She glanced over her shoulder before crushing Ella’s lips in a kiss. “I want you,” she breathed against her.

Ella’s belly flip-flopped, and she kissed her back, heat flowing through her veins. Riley met her with just as much force. Something about being affectionate out in the open was really getting Ella’s motor running. They’d fucked in about every place possible in Riley’s cabin…but they’d yet to explore hers.

“I want you too,” she whispered against Riley’s lips, desire coiling in her abdomen. “Right now.”