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Aisha’s wavy hair fell past her shoulders, and the sunlight passing through it reflected a range of rich browns and auburn red. Her black skirt stopped just above her knees, and she wore thinner heels and a loose-fitting red blouse. Casual and comfortable. She was a mirage calling to all Gabi’s senses. Gabi’s skin tingled as Aisha gazed the length of her body. She felt naked and vulnerable, and she ached for Aisha’s hands to trace the route her gaze had just taken.
Aisha cleared her throat. “Gabi, I’m sorry I couldn’t meet earlier. I had to run an errand.”
Nana patted Gabi on the back of the hand and rested back in her seat. “Best you go and get changed, cariño.” She smiled. “Go on, go on.”
Gabi should have objected. Nana had ordered tapas, and Gabi had said she’d go to see the apartment, but she knew her words would be wasted. And the last thing she wanted was to spend the afternoon with Nana when she could be with Aisha.
Aisha stepped forward and held out her hand. “You must be Gabi’s Nana. I’m Aisha.”
Nana clasped Aisha’s hand between hers, and Gabi could almost see Nana’s thoughts as she smiled.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Nana said, then looked at Gabi and frowned. “What are you doing still sitting here when this beautiful young woman is waiting for you?”
“Una hermosa mariposa,” Aisha said to Nana.
If Gabi blushed any harder, she would explode from the heat.
Nana patted the silver butterfly pinned to her dress. She’d worn it every day since they’d left England. “Me gusta mucho. Es mi favorito. I have a very talented granddaughter,” she said.
Aisha smiled at Gabi. “I’ll wait in reception for you,” she said.
Gabi grabbed her shorts and T-shirt.
“It was lovely to meet you,” Nana said.
“You too.” Aisha headed towards the door.
One of the waiters arrived with a stack of dishes balanced on various parts of his arm, and Gabi stared from the food to Nana. There was a line of dishes on the bar, all presumably destined for their table. She cursed silently.
“Go,” Nana said and waved Gabi away. She looked towards the door that Aisha had exited through. “Now is a good time for you to enjoy yourself.” She studied the tapas, looked up at Gabi and smiled. “Go, go.”
Gabi kissed Nana on the forehead. “I love you,” she said.
Nana brushed her off and ate a shrimp off a pincho. “Delicious.”
Gabi ran back to her room and dressed. Maybe buying an apartment here was a stroke of genius, because it would mean she could be friends with Aisha. She didn’t know Aisha well, but she hadn’t let Gabi down. Aisha had intended to be true to her word, unlike Shay had ever been, and it had just been circumstances that had stopped her coming to the square. Her heart had raced seeing Aisha at the poolside, and that feeling didn’t come from nothing. If there was such a thing as love at first sight, Gabi had felt it when she’d watched Aisha dancing on that first night, and in the awkwardness when they’d drank coffee. She couldn’t be sure because the line between love and lust merged, and she’d got it wrong before. Anyway, she was getting ahead of herself and needed to slow down. She trembled inside as she headed towards the reception.
