Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 552(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 552(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
“I can see that,” I say, sizing him up with a smirk. “You’d be terrible at blending in.”
There’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes that suggests he’s more than receptive to my light flirting, but he doesn’t offer any more details or insight into himself. Instead, he shifts the conversation back to me.
“And what about you, Olivia? What’s the grand plan now you’re here?”
I glance out at the city lights, suddenly feeling more self-aware under his gaze.
“Honestly… I don’t have much of a plan,” I admit. “I needed to get away, and Spain felt as good as anywhere for a fresh start. I started off in Madrid, but I was offered an opportunity that I really couldn’t refuse teaching English in one of the local secundaria’s. But beyond that…”
I trail off, shrugging my shoulders.
“Well, no plan means no limits,” Santi says with finality. “You could end up anywhere, doing anything.”
Or anyone…
Holy crap - where on earth did that come from?!
“Or I could end up back home in a few months, eating beans on toast and regretting everything,” I say, trying to distract myself from my filthy thoughts.
After all, there’s nothing sexy about beans on toast.
“Somehow, I don’t see that happening,” he says, his voice confident. “You don’t seem like the type to give up that easily.”
A strange flutter rushes through me at the way he speaks as though he actually knows me, like he’s already figured me out.
“Bold of you to assume the type of person I am,” I deflect, trying to play it cool.
The last thing I want to do is give anything away. After all, this man is unfairly stunning. He probably has women fawning all over him left, right and centre, and I don’t want to boost his ego any further by doing the same.
“On first impressions, of course,” he says. “Tell me, what type do I strike you as?”
“Hmm,” I say, raising a finger to my chin and pretending to think for a moment. “The smooth-talking charmer type. You know, ones who bump into women on terraces for fun.”
He places a hand onto his broad chest. “Wow. You wound me, Olivia.”
We laugh in sync, and the sound surprises me.
Other than Ben - who was very strictly a friend - I can’t recall the last time that I got along so well with a man.
(That includes my ex-boyfriend).
Before I can say anything else, Ana appears at my side from seemingly nowhere, grabbing my arm tightly.
“Olivia! There you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Come on - dance floor. Now.”
She’s using her best teacher voice and not giving me much wiggle room to argue with her. While I’m admittedly a little disappointed to part ways with this ridiculously handsome stranger, the last thing I’m going to do is sell-out my new friends and colleagues for a man I’ve just met.
So, I turn back to Santi and shoot him an apologetic smile.
“Looks like my time’s up,” I say.
“For now,” he responds, flashing me a confident smile.
As Ana pulls me away, I glance back over my shoulder to see him still leaning against the railing, watching me.
His smile lingers. I can’t help but wonder what he’s hiding -
And why I already want to find out.
Chapter Nine
Two weeks in Valencia, and I’m finally starting to feel a little more like I actually belong here.
The city has a rhythm of its own. Vibrant and alive, but relaxed at the same time. It’s almost like it’s in no rush to impress you because it knows it doesn’t need to.
Laura insists that she’s going to come and visit me soon, but for now, I’ve spent most of my free time exploring, letting myself get lost in the winding streets.
The Mercado Central has become one of my favorite spots. It’s a sprawling marketplace with beautiful stalls, and I’ve even started my own little ritual of buying a horchata from the same vendor just outside the market. It’s a sweet, creamy drink that’s becoming a regular indulgence, and I honestly don’t know how I’ll cope once I return to England and have to live without it.
Teaching has been its own kind of challenge, but one I think I’m really starting to get the hang of. The kids are lively - sometimes exhausting - but mostly eager to learn, which makes it all worth it. Plus, my colleagues are incredibly supportive. Yesterday, the headteacher, María, popped into my classroom unexpectedly to observe one of my lessons, and though I was nervous at first, by the end, she was smiling from ear to ear.
“Muy bien, Olivia,” she had said with a nod. “You have a good way with the students.”
I don’t know why, but that simple compliment buoyed me for the rest of the day. Like a little sign from the universe that I’m on the right track.