Page 87 of The Heartbreak Hotel

“What time is it?” she mumbled, looping her leg over Riley.

Riley planted a kiss on her forehead, breathing in her scent. “It’s still early.” But Riley knew…it was time to talk to Senhor Arenoso.

* * *

Leaving Ella dozing with Ziggy curled up between her legs, Riley snuck out into the morning air. They’d had such a wonderful night celebrating with the others on the course and with Ella’s friend Winnie—who might have also had a rendezvous in the old barn, judging by her reappearance with straw tangled in her hair and her glasses steamed up. Riley didn’t want to dampen Ella’s spirits. She’d go, speak to Danilo, and then come back ready to move on.

The sun’s orange glow hung in the sky, coating her skin like fresh paint. She filled her lungs and started down the steps, her gaze finding the sea waves as they crashed against the cliffs. She walked the path she’d walked a thousand times before, brushing her fingers through the green leaves and kicking up the dusty stones underfoot. A peaceful quiet had descended over the island this morning. The courtyard still stood decorated with garlands, the firepit still covered in ashes. People celebrated hard every time the end of the course rolled around; the locals looked forward to it every month, and it had become a healing ritual of their own.

Riley would miss it here, there was no denying that, but like the ceremonial fire last night, she had to let go to make way for the new.

Nerves bubbled in her belly as Senhor Arenoso’s hut came into view. It’d been a place of refuge for her over the years, but now, every step closer made the heavy stone in her stomach sink lower and lower. Was she really doing this?

She grasped the obsidian necklace Danilo had gifted her between her fingers, hoping to channel some of the healing energies. The smooth rock grounded her a little, and she forced her feet to move.

He was sitting cross-legged on his cushion like he normally was, a deep green kaftan covering his dark skin. He tilted his head as she approached, his ears pricking at her movement.

“Riley,” he hummed. “I thought I might see you this morning.”

She resisted the urge to laugh. The man had a sixth sense for this kind of thing.

“Bom dia, Danilo.” She hovered in the open doorway, the sea breeze tickling her face. She tried to force her gaze to meet his, but she couldn’t shift her focus from the large fern in the corner. “Great ceremony last night. You outdid yourself.”

He smiled, then with a sigh, brushed himself off and stood, finally turning to her. “You’re too kind. Now, come on. Sit. Tea?”

She sank into the faux-leather chair in the corner while Danilo boiled the kettle. She wiped her hands on her shorts, but they still felt clammy. What did she usually do with her hands? Did they just…hang there? She suddenly felt like a teenager sitting in the headmaster’s office, waiting for a scolding.

The early birdsong mingled with the hum of the kettle. Riley watched Danilo glide around the space, browsing his drawer stocked full of incense and pulling out a stick of bergamot. For releasing stress and anxiety. Why does this man know everything?

The citrus scent filled the room, and he handed her a steaming cup of green tea. She thanked him, and he took the seat next to her, turning to look out the window and the rolling sea below.

“So,” he began, keeping his focus outside. “What’s got you all nervous this morning?”

This time, the panicky laugh passed her lips. She shook her head, attempting to sip from her mug, but it was still far too hot. “I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”

His moustache twitched. “You can talk to me, Riley. Unload a little.”

The memory of her dad ghosted around her. His ability to wilt her with his sneering lip and steely glare. She forced herself to meet Danilo’s dark gaze, soft and patient and full of concern, and she had to look away, unable to stand it. She didn’t deserve his understanding after letting him down the way she had.

She swallowed the lump rising in her throat. Leaving her dad had been easy, upon reflection. The title was meaningless and empty, their relationship dead and buried as soon as her mother had walked out the door when she was small. Disappointing Senhor Arenoso, the man who’d helped Riley find her feet when she didn’t have anything, that was going to cripple her.

“Is it the anniversary?” he asked.

Her lip wobbled, tears filling her eyes. She looked to the sea again and imagined the waves parting as she slipped through, washing away her worries and fears. The water would glide over her back, propelling her forward, building and building until she could leap up into the sky, just like a dolphin.

She exhaled, forcing herself to meet Danilo’s eyes again.

He eyed her knowingly. “It’s about her, isn’t it?”

She caught a falling tear with the back of her hand, but more spilt down her cheeks, the floodgates officially open. “I’m so sorry, Danilo. I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for me, and I love my job. The last thing I wanted to do was let you down or disappoint you and—”

He held up a hand, an assortment of gold ringers on his fingers. “You could never disappoint me, Riley.”

She shook her head, tears blurring her vision. “I’ve broken your trust. I knew I shouldn’t have relations with a client, but this isn’t just a fling. I hope you know I wouldn’t throw all this away for something temporary. I…I…” The words caught in her throat. “I had no idea I could feel this way again. She’s everything, Danilo. Everything.” She shook her head, but her mouth couldn’t stop moving. Her chest heaved as more words poured out of her. “That’s why I have to resign. Don’t worry. I’ll leave. I wouldn’t want anything bad to come from my actions, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry to let you down, but—”

A cool hand covered hers, and she realised she was shaking. “Breathe with me, Riley. It’s okay. You’re safe here.”

Senhor Arenoso’s words grounded her, and she closed her eyes while he counted the beats. When her chest lost its tightness, she dared look at him again.