We stare at each other, and awe makes my heart swell.
“Thank you.”
“It’s true.”
He returns his gaze to the road, and we park up on the private side of the beach. It’s nice not having people around to watch and stare.
When we walk onto the glorious golden sand, I take off my sandals and enjoy the sand beneath my feet. Alejandro sets Mia down, and we watch her run to the shoreline and splash in the water, laughing hard as the waves pull in and out.
Alejandro joins her, and when he pulls off his shirt, I’m secretly glad no other women are around to ogle him.
He and Mia start playing in the sand, and that’s how the fun begins and sucks me away from reality.
We swapbetween going into the sea to making sand castles. It’s only when Mia drifts off to sleep that things calm down.
I have her curled up on my lap. The poor thing fell asleep eating a sandwich.
Alejandro watches me as I set her down on a blanket and cover her up so she can be more comfortable. She looks so much smaller, and I find myself imagining the horror of what it must have been like to lose her parents.
When I look back at Alejandro, I get that feeling again that he feels more like her father than an uncle, but then I guess he would because of his love for her.
He switches his gaze to mine, and I straighten.
“You’re a natural at looking after kids. It’s not just about the job for you, is it?” he observes.
“No. It’s not. I genuinely love it.”
“I can see that. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time, though?”
“I have no idea.” I smile.
“No?”
I shake my head. Since I always dreamed of working somewhere like the school in New York, I’m not sure I should say that.
“In five years, Mia will be six.”
“You’re telling me you see yourself with me for the next five years?”
“I like my job, so we’ll see.” I can pretend.
“What about your boss?”
“He’s okay.”
“Just okay?” He furrows his thick brows. “Woman, I’ve taken you to the beach… and I…” There’s a shift in his mood. It becomes more serious.
“What?”
“Nothing. I was remembering when I was last here.”
“Did something bad happen?”
“No. Nothing bad happened. But nothing good happened after that either. Everything changed in the years that followed.”
“What happened?” I’m curious to find out.
“I changed.”