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“I guess I’d consider coming back…if I had a reason to,” he says, his eyes boring into mine.
It’s almost like he’s trying to tell me that I’m the one thing he’d come back for. The one thing that could tempt him away from this paradise. At least, that’s what I’d like to believe he’s telling me. It’s a lot to get from a glance in my direction, but I want to read into it.
“I’m sure there are plenty of reasons for you to come back,” I say with a blush. I’m too scared to be direct with him. I want to tell him that coming home would make all of my wishes come true. I don’t want him to know just how much of a hold he has on me. And yet, now is the time to let him know. If I don’t, then maybe I’ll miss my chance with him.
“It’s something I’ll definitely consider,” he says, sipping his wine. “It would be nice to be back with…familiar company.”
I blush again. Everything he says has me second-guessing myself, wondering if he’s subtly flirting with me or whether I’m making it all up in my head. I want him to grab me and kiss me and let his body do the talking. I don’t want to play games. Not when my heart is at stake. Not when my body is so responsive to everything he’s saying. Not when I need something more from all of this.
“You’re not tempted to move here?” Ethan asks me with a cocked eyebrow. “Haven’t you fallen in love with Palma while you’ve been here?”
“Well, it’s a very beautiful place. And I’ve learned a lot here. I guess...I guess I never considered the idea of staying here. It was never really on the cards. My dad… wants me to go home and work as a translator for his company. It would be well paid, and I’d get to travel a little.”
“But is it what you want?”
I chew my lip. I’ve never really considered what I want from life, other than Ethan. That’s all I’ve been focused on since I was sixteen. I mean, it was always my dream to fall in love, get married, and have kids. As soon as I knew Ethan was the man for me, I began daydreaming about our future together. But I never thought about what I wanted for my career. I blush, even though he can’t tell what I’m thinking. I feel pathetic, putting my love for a man before anything else. But my heart wants what it wants. The rest really doesn’t matter to me.
“You know, you could always work for me instead,” Ethan says, shocking me. My jaw almost drops to the floor.
“Huh?”
“I could use a translator for my company too. I mean, I work in this place and I don’t speak much Spanish at all. Perhaps you could help me out. And then it would give you a chance to stay here…make connections.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. It seems like the perfect offer. I’d get to stay in this beautiful place, to see Ethan every single day, and maintain the friendships I’ve made here. What is there for me back in California? A lifetime of working for my dad?
But it would break his heart if he knew that I wanted to stay here. He’d never get over my reasons why. He’d never forgive me for falling for his best friend. I feel stuck. How am I meant to navigate this? I’m going to have to make a choice. A choice between love and family.
I take a deep breath, realizing that I need to at least comment on the offer. I can’t just pretend that he didn’t say anything.
“I…I’d have to think about it…but it’s a tempting offer. Very tempting.”
Ethan smirks. “Take your time. Think it over. The offer won’t expire. And hey, I’m sure your father would want you to grab this opportunity with both hands. It’s a chance to do something different. He can’t deny you that, can he?”
I shake my head, but I’m not sure. I don’t think my father would approve. But I’m a grown woman now. I can’t stay under his wing forever. I look at Ethan and see so much possibility, so much excitement that my life has been missing so far. After so many years pining for him, I’m finally here with him, and he’s offering me the world. I can’t turn away from that. If I follow Ethan further, then all of my dreams could come true.
Starting with tonight. Tonight, I’m all his if he wants me.
And boy, do I want him.
Chapter Six
Ethan
The meal was incredible. I’ve never tasted food so good, drank wine so incredible, had such a good conversation. But it has little to do with the location or the chefs and everything to do with being with August.
