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Farah passed a slice of black forest cake to Bea, and continued, “Did you meet Casildo through Anna?”

“Actually, we’ve probably known each other about five years. In our industry you tend to see the same faces again and again. Isn’t that right, Casildo?”

“We’ve been stuck in enough hotel lobbies for me to learn she’s the oldest of five daughters.”

And that lifeline lasted through dessert, coffees and final farewells.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Cas followed Antonio’scar out of his parents’ drive, watched it turn right and promptly drive into what looked like the back entrance to the house. Cas smiled inwardly.

Way to go, sis.

“The granny flat?” Beatriz asked.

“The very one,” he solemnly agreed.

“Do you think your mum and dad guess?”

“No. They’re sure, and they’re both happy and scared for Maha.”

“My parents were like that with my two married sisters. Saw that their baby was in love and wondered if her fiancé loved her equally.”

“In my family, it’s whether his or her partner loves her as she deserves to be loved.”

“The other night you said someone who can’t bear to live without you.”

“Pretty much the same thing. Everyone deserves someone in their life who thinks they’re the most important person in the world.”

Someone who chooses me, not my inheritance.

In Cas’s experience, women and money didn’t mix. Or rather, after a lifetime of blighted hopes, Cas was never sure why a woman was with him.

“I like Antonio,” Cas admitted. “Like how he runs his business, how he treats his staff. All public-facing stuff. But, I don’t know a lot about the man or his history. He’s got two kids. That’s only an issue if they resent his relationship with Maha. Mum and Dad would love more grandchildren.”

“So, what’s the problem?”