Chapter 48

Watching Estrella’s face when she realises she’s surrounded by friends and acquaintances was worth the mad frenzy over the last thirty-six hours. I was only too happy to help when Juana approached me yesterday morning with the idea and I made the reopening night an exclusive event.

“Now who do you think cares enough?” I ask Estrella as I escort her to a table next to the dance floor.

“Touché.” She gives me a glittering smile as she sits.

I return to Florencio and Rafe.

“It looks amazing,” Florencio says.

“Thank you.”

“I’m impressed. The party is a great idea.” Rafe adds.

“Well, that was Juana, really. She’s the one who pulled everyone together. I just provided the venue. Here, I have a table for us.” I direct them to an empty table.

For the next few hours, we drink and eat and watch as Estrella holds court amongst people she hasn’t seen for a long time. I can see she’s in her element and how she would’ve been an amazing hostess.

I seek Juana out as she comes to the bar. “It’s a good thing you’ve done for her,” I tell her.

“It’s the least I can do. She’s been a good employer. More than that, really, she’s also a good friend to me.”

After a while, I signal for the band to start playing and a few of the guests get up to dance. I go to help Alena with the bar and see Rafe and Florencio get up to dance together.

I go over to the piano, which survived the ceiling crash very well, only requiring a retune.

“Ladies and gentlemen, in honour of our special guest tonight, I want to play for you ‘Esta Noche De Luna.’” There’s applause and I start to play. Senor Bernat rises and offers his hand to Estrella to dance and I continue playing, including the song of her name. Eventually, she begins to tire, and in the early hours of the morning, the limo takes us all back to the house.

I find the guys on the terrace, leaning on the balustrade and looking out over the lights of the city. I put a bottle and three glasses down on the wall.

“What’s this?” Florencio asks.

“Champagne.”

“Is there something to celebrate?”

“I thought we could celebrate us,” I say.

“Okay, I’m listening.” Florencio turns and hoists himself up to sit on the wall. Rafe joins him.

“This has been a truly incredible summer, and whilst it hasn’t been easy with my bar, it did mean that I got to know you both. If I hadn’t, I would still be the same sad, broken, and lonely bar owner I was before. You’ve brought a light into my life I thought I lost a long time ago. Rafe, you opened my heart, and Cio, you filled it with joy.”

I stop and take a breath.

“I was wrong before when I said you don’t get a second chance at love, and I ignored the signs for a long time. I thought it was a stupid infatuation, the fancies of an old man. But when I left—for which I will always be sorry—it hurt. It hurt so much. Even then, I tried to ignore it, but I couldn’t.”

I pause and swallow.

“What I’m trying to say is I love you, both of you. Which I know should be crazy but it isn’t, it’s amazing, and when I’m with you I feel like a whole person again.”

I’m out of words and I wait, holding my breath. I watch as they look at each other and smile.

“Well, I think that is something to celebrate,” Rafe says, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Florencio passes me the bottle and I open it and pour it into the glasses, handing each of them one.

Rafe takes a sip and puts his glass down on the wall. He pulls me close, and I stand between his legs. He puts his arms around my shoulders and leans in, kissing me.

“Con, I love you too. That was never in doubt.”

I answer him with another kiss, pushing against his teeth until he lets my tongue in so I can deepen it.

When we part, he gives me a sweet smile.

“By the way, my parents are looking forward to meeting you both.”

“You told them about us? Both of us?” I ask.

“I did,” he says, looking quite smug.

“How did they take it?”

“Surprisingly well, actually. And yes, they want to meet you so... they’re flying over next week. ”

“Next week? No, I don’t think I’m ready for meeting the parents next week!” I take a gulp of champagne, regretting it almost immediately as I end up choking.

Florencio is giggling, and I glare at him. “It’s all right for you, you’re pretty and young! Fuck, I’m like an old bear. Do they know how old I am? Fuck, do they?” Panic starts to set in, and I appeal to Rafe, but he looks amused.

“Yes, they know,” he says easily, taking a casual sip of his drink. “But bear? Yes, it suits you. What’s bear?”

“ Oso .” Florencio supplies. “ Oro and oso . It’s perfect.”

“I said you were going to be trouble,” I tell him and he gives me a feral grin, the one I love so much.

I look between them.

“Does anyone feel like dancing?”