Page 31

This date should be perfect.

I’m in a really lovely restaurant, one of the most expensive in the Algarve, sitting at a table with the most handsome man in the room.

He’s in a tailored suit and polished shoes; I’m in a black, halterneck, fitted dress and, against Marina’s advice, heels.

I’ve got a very padded plaster on the ball of my foot, so putting my weight on it is really not that bad.

José is charming, stylish and intelligent.

He’s currently telling me about the location of his most recent building project which isn’t too far from here, a location that has huge advantages because…

uh… well, I’m actually not sure why, because I haven’t been entirely listening.

I keep thinking about how strong Leo’s arms were when he lifted me earlier.

No hint of struggling or straining with my weight, he scooped me right up.

And I fit so snugly, there against his chest.

Like I was made for him.

‘…and that’s one of its most appealing prospects,’ José is saying proudly, as I automatically nod along, ‘that it’s easily accessible whilst also being close to shops, bars, restaurants, tourist attractions, family activities. There’s a relaxed vibe to the town, too…’

You know what else I like about Leo?

How his whole face lights up when he laughs.

He was so guarded around me at first, determined to keep me at arm’s length, but over the course of two weeks, I’ve whittled him down and now I know that when he finds something funny, his expression completely transforms. His eyes gleam, his grin broadens and he gets those gorgeous little crinkles around his mouth.

It sounds strange, but I think those moments are the highlights of this trip.

The moments when Leo Silva has forgotten himself with me and properly laughed.

‘…of course, identifying potential risk factors has been at the forefront of what I’ve done here,’ José tells me, tapping his finger against the tablecloth to emphasise his point. ‘Not just in terms of the surrounding area, but also when it comes to budget…’

It means so much that Leo felt ready to talk to me today.

That took a lot of courage, too, to be open and honest about his past mistakes and what he’s learnt from them.

It feels like a privilege that he could be that vulnerable with me, when he talked about letting down friends and family.

It was moving, how wistful and proud he looked when he explained that surfing helps your soul connect with the ocean.

How it can humble you and remind you of what’s important.

It was profound. And inspiring.

‘…it’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it because of the passion that goes into these projects. Not just from me either, but from the stakeholders and the locals themselves…’

Leo is so hot too. Have I mentioned that? I don’t care. He is.

His eyes are achingly pretty, framed by those full eyelashes, and I love how his thick, dark hair is so unruly, constantly dishevelled like he’s always just stepped out of the sea.

His sharp jawline, those broad, strong shoulders…

I mean, he’s intimidatingly gorgeous, isn’t he.

Just thinking about the way he looks at me intently sometimes – like he’s trying to work me out, like he wants to work me out – is making my stomach flutter.

‘…so in answer to your question, yes, I think it’s going to be a great success,’ José states with a winning smile, picking up his glass of wine and taking a sip.

I’m jolted from my Leo-themed daydream at the conclusion of José’s monologue and realise that, despite that closing statement, I never asked him a question in the first place.

He’s somehow convinced himself that I was the one who wanted him to tell me all about his fresh achievement. A humourless laugh bubbles in my throat. I cough it back, reaching for my glass and taking a gulp.

‘That’s great,’ I say, fixing a smile.

‘Thank you. It’s the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much untapped potential in this region – Burgau is a prime example. If I have my way, it will really come to life.’

I’m slightly taken aback by the implication. ‘It’s already… alive, I think. As in, I don’t think much needs to change about it. If anything. It’s wonderful there. I’ve really fallen for it, I think. I’m going to be… sad to leave.’

Devastated, actually. But that sounds too dramatic.

‘Ah, but think of what it could be,’ he insists, leaning forward on the table enthusiastically. ‘It isn’t prepared for the influx of tourists that will be coming its way. It needs dreamers like me to ready it. No one there has the right vision.’

I suppress a smirk at his referring to himself as a ‘dreamer’.

Then I realise that’s not fair. Maybe he is. Who am I to declare he’s not? And although it’s become glaringly obvious to me over the course of tonight that I am currently too infatuated by someone else to have any feelings for José, that’s not his fault.

In fact, I really shouldn’t be letting my crush on Leo overshadow all of José’s qualities.

I categorically cannot have sex with the athlete I’m interviewing, no matter how much I want to.

That would be a very unprofessional move, especially when I’m vying for an incredible new job at a company owned by his mother.

I can, however, have fun with absolutely anyone else.

Literally, anyone else. But him.

And here is someone right in front of me who is just as gorgeous.

Maybe not quite so fun, perhaps a little more self-involved…

but someone who has made it abundantly clear that he’s attracted to me by taking me out to this exquisite restaurant.

A lot of thought has been put into this impressive date, and he’s an impressive guy.

He drove me here in his flashy car and, knowing about my foot, has shown himself to be extremely thoughtful, holding my hand and walking slowly into the restaurant with me so I didn’t have to hobble in by myself.

There. He’s ticking many boxes, especially as a temporary fling in a foreign country.

So.

The smart thing to do is to forget about Leo, and focus on José.

‘Let’s get the bill and then shall we have a drink at one of the bars in Burgau?’ José suggests, signalling to the waiter for the bill.

‘ Yes ,’ I say, smiling sweetly at him. ‘Let’s.’

Because I am a smart person and I will do the smart thing.

*

Okay, I admit defeat. I can’t do it. This was not a smart decision at all.

We’ve been sitting at a table in the outside area of this bar for all of two minutes and I already regret not going straight home after dinner. It’s not fair on José – I can’t muster up any attraction to him anymore. I’ll finish this drink and then I’ll make my excuses.

‘I’m happy it’s such a warm evening and we can sit outside here,’ he muses, clasping his hands together. ‘I hope to open a bar on this street in the near future.’

‘I thought you specialised in residential properties.’

‘Currently, yes, but I hope to expand the business in a variety of ways,’ he says, puffing out his chest. ‘If we can finalise—’

He pauses mid-sentence as a flicker of recognition crosses his expression and I follow his eyeline to see the person passing by who has caused the distraction.

‘Leo!’ I exclaim, straightening, my heart jumping into my throat.

He’s standing frozen to the spot on the street right next to our table. In casual board shorts, flip-flops and a faded-grey t-shirt, he looks unbelievably sexy without any effort – and couldn’t look more different to my date.

But just the sight of him is making my stomach twist into knots.

It’s the confirmation I really didn’t need that I am here with completely the wrong person. What am I doing with José ? I should have cancelled tonight.

I’m about to do the polite thing and introduce them to each other, but something about the way they’re looking at each other makes me think that might be unnecessary. They clearly know each other. And from the glowering expression shrouding Leo’s face, I’m not too sure they’re on the best of terms.

‘Evening, Leo,’ José says, adjusting the lapel of his suit jacket and looking him up and down with glaring contempt.

Leo doesn’t reply, he just looks to me, his eyes flashing with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. He gestures to José.

‘ This is who you’re dating?’ he asks me, his tone sharp.

‘You know each other?’ I say apprehensively, glancing from one stony-faced man to the other.

‘In a business capacity,’ José remarks, prompting Leo to snort.

‘Unbelievable,’ Leo mutters, shaking his head at him before narrowing his eyes at me. ‘This is the man who owns the company pressurising my dad into selling the surf shop so that he can build a block of flats right there by the waterfront.’

Oh fuck.

I gasp, recoiling from my date. ‘José, is that true?’

He shrugs. ‘I’m trying to promote tourism in this village. I want to modernise it and secure its future. What’s wrong with that?’

‘Nothing, except when you’re trying to tear down the town, its traditions and charm to do so,’ Leo argues.

‘Oh, don’t be so romantic about it,’ José says tiredly, reaching for his drink. ‘A surf shop is hardly part of this village’s culture . You can buy your boards somewhere else.’

As he casually takes a sip of his wine, I stare at him in shock.

Taking a deep breath, Leo must decide he doesn’t want to get into it because he doesn’t give José another glance. Instead, he hones in on me.

‘I hoped you might be better than this,’ he mutters, his eyes filled with disappointment. ‘Maybe I was wrong.’

Whoa.

It may have been lacking in detail, but his tone and expression tells me that I was on the receiving end of a huge insult.

‘Leo, wait,’ I begin, as he marches away in the direction of his flat.

He doesn’t stop and he doesn’t look back. He disappears around the corner and he’s walking at such a pace, there’s no chance I’ll ever catch him up. All I can do is watch him go.

How could I have been this stupid?