The Secret Life of Daydreams (21 page)

This was just the chance he’d been looking for. “You can come and see it for yourself.”

Sofia gave him that look of puzzlement he was beginning to know well, the raised eyebrow with a slight squint.

He continued. “They invited me to come on Friday night to get a feel for the place. To help me figure the quote, they said, but I’m sure they hope to impress me.” Josh paused and set down the glass. “I’d like you to come with me.”

“As a guide, you mean? I’m not sure how much help I could be, I don’t know a lot about the hotel.”

“Not for work, Sofia. For company.” He waited for her reaction.

She didn’t say anything for a moment. “What will you be doing?”

“Anything I want; they gave me free rein. I was thinking of starting with dinner and leaving the tour for another day.”

Her hands held still and she swallowed. “I don’t have anything fancy to wear.”

“You don’t need to. There’s no dress code.” He rather liked her in jeans, but she’d probably not appreciate the suggestion.

“At what time?”

“Whenever’s convenient for you.” Whatever she wanted, she could have.

She uncrossed her legs and stood. “Hang on. Let me go call Nurse Antónia and see if she’s available to watch Mother.”

He nodded and she went inside. Josh blew out a breath and tipped the rest of his glass. What he needed was a hard lemonade. Inviting a girl on a date when he couldn’t call it a date was hard work. But drinking wouldn’t solve the problem, as he very well knew.

Sofia returned with the cell phone in her hand. “If we could leave after Mother is already in bed, that would be easier for her.”

Josh rose from the chair and faced her. “Of course.”

She typed a message, then waited for a reply. “Okay.” She smiled. “She said she can come.”

“Awesome.” He grinned. It was beyond awesome, but whooping or fist-pumping were probably too much for the occasion. He walked to the foyer. He’d gotten what he’d come for, and it was time to leave.

Sofia smiled when she opened the door to him. “Thanks for coming by.”

He’d come uninvited but still she thanked him for coming.

“Thanks for having me, Sofia. Boa noite.”

* * *

Sofia caught her reflection in the foyer mirror one more time. Josh would be coming for her soon and the swirling butterflies in her stomach refused to settle. Mother slept, Nurse Antónia knit a scarf in the living room, and Sofia paced the foyer in her bare feet, the shoes sitting on the floor to the side of the door.

She patted down the dress one more time, and then twirled a little, unable to resist the flare skirt and smooth fabric. When she’d told Margarida about her dinner outing with Josh to the Solaris mansion, Margarida had been adamant about Sofia wearing a dress. And not just any dress, but a vintage dress she’d bought at a secondhand store before the baby was born.

The fabric was off-white and the length to the mid-calf. She’d added a ruffled short-sleeve cardigan to compliment the fitted bodice and sleeveless design. What made the dress unique was the swath of printed flowers spanning the front, from the hem on the left to the waist on the right, like a ribbon of spring in all the colors of the rainbow.

Sofia had styled her hair in a large, messy bun with curl wisps around her face and she wore delicate pendant pearl earrings. The shoes—well, the shoes were an indulgence of peep-toe slingback sandals with a bit of a higher heel than what she was used to wearing. But Josh was tall, and tonight she didn’t want to be the same everyday short. No, tonight was special.

She was going out with Josh on a date.

Sure, they’d gone out together before on several different occasions and under the excuse of work. It had been work in the beginning, however reluctant on her part, but lately their outings felt more like reasons to spend time together. And were those not called dates? Not that he’d used the word, probably fearing she’d say no, from that little conversation she’d overheard between him and Paulo a few weeks back. But a date by any other name was still a date and it scared her how much she was looking forward to it. The guilt that stemmed from their religious differences grew more noticeable despite her efforts to bring Josh closer to the gospel, and that also worried her.

The doorbell rang and Sofia jumped. She settled a hand over her middle and breathed in, shoving her qualms to the back of her mind. Nothing to be nervous about, was there?

She opened the door. Josh stood with a smile on his face, the kind that caused the little flutter in her chest, a delicious sort of pleasure that only fostered the riot of feelings she’d been trying to resist. And it was not just a physical reaction to the man in front of her, as well-dressed as he was in crisp navy trousers and a pale-blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. So simple and so attractive.

“Boa noite, Sofia.” His voice dipped at her name and he cleared his throat.

She could get used to that tone, deep and laced with the same feeling she knew too well.

He looked at her, paused at her feet, and then moved back up to her eyes. An amused glint in his expression clued her in.

Sofia held up a finger. “Com licença.” She skipped to where she’d left her shoes and hastily put them on, leaning against the wall. She motioned to Josh. “Não fiques à porta. Entra.”

He stepped inside the foyer and Sofia walked up to him, enjoying the extra height that placed her at his eye level. Almost.

Josh noticed it too. “Why, hello there.” The smile in his voice—he liked the height. “You’re a little closer today.”

Yes, she liked the closeness and the tallness too. Sofia rested a hand on his forearm for balance and went up on her tiptoes to skim a beijinho across his scruffy face. He’d trimmed again and the warmth of his cheek against hers was a welcome sensation. His scent was familiar and masculine, and oh so irresistible. As she pulled back, Josh leaned forward ever so lightly, prolonging the contact between them. A wave of attraction for him swirled inside her, and Sofia coughed as if that were enough to dislodge the feeling.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you in a dress before.” Josh took her hand and stepped back, in obvious appreciation. “You should wear dresses more often.”

“Obrigada.” Sofia’s cheeks warmed at the compliment. She’d have to thank Margarida for lending her the dress. Of course, if he came to church on Sunday he’d see her in skirts more often, but Sofia didn’t want to ruin the mood with that kind of comment.

She turned to the console table and grabbed the clutch purse. “Estou pronta.”

Josh held the door for her. “All right, let’s go.”

When they arrived at the Solaris, Josh opened the car door to Sofia and helped her out, then handed the keys to the valet. He kept her hand in his as they walked across the portico, and Sofia was grateful for the support on the uneven cobble stones. She slowed down to look at the mansion’s façade, ablaze with lights against the night sky. It was an impressive building, and the curiosity to see more rose in her.

Josh matched her pace. “Quite a statement and we’re not even inside yet.”

Her mouth curved in a sideways smile. “I was just thinking the same.”

Once inside the round foyer, Josh dropped a hand to the small of her back as they approached the front desk, tucked against the wall. For a moment, Sofia’s awareness distilled to the touch of his palm against her, and not even the grandeur and elegance of the place robbed her attention from the gesture.

Josh pulled a business card from his pocket. “Josh Conrad and guest.”

The concièrge lifted the phone and a few moments later an older man in a dark-gray suit approached them.

He shook Josh’s hand. “Mr. Conrad, how good of you to come.” His English was flawless even if his accent was a mystery.

“Thank you for the invitation.” Josh smiled. He turned to her. “This is Sofia Monteiro.”

The man tipped his head to her in a slight bow. “Um prazer.” Again, she couldn’t pinpoint his origin.

He addressed Josh. “This way to the dining room, please.”

As he led them to the marble staircase, Josh caught Sofia’s arm and his fingers trailed down until they found hers. Their eyes met briefly and she took a quick breath. It would be so easy to get used to his touch.

Dinner was a sophisticated affair of traditional Portuguese cuisine prepared and presented in the French style, five courses in all. Their table faced the floor-to-ceiling window with a view past the grounds and onto the city below. In the far corner, a blond man played a baby grand piano, eliciting a jazzy melody in a soulful tone.

Was there anything they didn’t talk about tonight? The more they talked, the more she discovered the little things they had in common about movies and literature, his likes and dislikes about art in general and photography in particular, his jokes and his thoughtful words on teaching and work ethics, and how naturally they agreed on the issues that mattered about families and parenting. If only he’d talk about religion.

Instead of sitting across from her, Josh sat to her right, placing him close enough to feel his solid arm and his warmth. They leaned toward each other, seeking the other artlessly, like old friends who knew the other as well as themselves and had all the time in the world.

At the end of the meal, Josh led Sofia to the terrace. Below, the English-style gardens shone under strings and strings of mini lights made brighter by a moonless sky.

Josh stopped next to Sofia and held her hand. “Would you like to take a walk in the gardens?”

She was not ready for this evening to come to an end and was glad he shared her reluctance to leave. The idea of spending more time together thrilled her. “I’d love to.” This night couldn’t be any more perfect.

They walked along pathways flanked by low hedges and statues in the renaissance style.

“This is a magical place, and dinner was amazing,” Sofia said. “Thanks for inviting me to come with you.”

Josh squeezed her hand one time. “I’m so glad you came. It wouldn’t be half as fun on my own.”

“Have you decided if you’re going to take the job?” If he did, he’d have to stay longer in Braga, wouldn’t he?

He let out a long breath. “I’m not sure yet. It’ll depend on what they need specifically.”

At the end of the path to the lower courtyard, an iron scrolled archway stood under the weight of climbing roses, droopy and fragrant, and Sofia stroked the petals as she passed. The air was redolent with the songs of nocturnal insects and the breeze stirred with summer scents. Past the arch, lavender bushes in full bloom were planted in a circle, with a small path leading to a park bench, and tall cypress hedges created an alcove hidden away from the rest of the garden. Light posts and string lights cast a soft glow around the area.

She gasped at the overall effect. “It’s like a secret garden.”

Josh smiled and let go of her hand as she turned around to take in all the details. The gravel crunched beneath her feet and grounded her to everything else.

Josh sat on the bench and remained in silence, watching her. After a moment, Sofia joined him. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this peaceful and content, her senses so in tune to the nature and the man beside her.

“It feels like we’re the only ones left, doesn’t it?” Was it wrong of her to want to forget about everything else in her life?

Josh nodded. “It does.” He too was relaxed, his posture and expression reflecting that same pleasant state in which she found herself.

And yet, her curiosity took the best of her. “When are you leaving Braga?”

She wanted to take the words back as soon as they left her lips. What a way to ruin the close moment between them.

Josh turned to her, his eyebrow hitched and the corner of his mouth curved in amusement. “Already trying to get rid of me, Sofia?”

She fumbled to reply. “No, of course not.” Her fingers tightened around the clutch on her lap. “I’m just curious, I guess.” She reached her hand to a lavender bush and plucked a sprig, inhaling the perfume. If Josh was leaving soon, Sofia wanted time to prepare herself for his absence. How odd that she’d gotten so used to his friendship in the few weeks since his arrival.

“Sofia.” Josh scooted closer to her and touched her shoulder.

She turned her eyes to him and found him closer than she’d anticipated, his gaze intent on her and his expression warm.

His voice lowered. “I don’t want to leave either.” His hand dropped to her waist, and when the breeze blew her hair, he tucked the stray wisps behind her ear with a lingering touch. She inhaled quickly and her heart sped up at the feel of his fingers on her.

“You don’t?” Since when did she talk in whispers, wishing so hard for a friend to kiss her?

His arms came around her in an embrace and Sofia rested her hands on his chest. Josh’s eyes lowered to her lips, then back to her eyes. The question there was clear and she gave him the barest of nods. Their lips met, first tentatively, then more assuredly, and for several glorious moments, there was only the feel of Josh’s lips on hers, the slight prickle of his stubble against her skin, the smell of his aftershave. Her hands came up and wound behind his neck and Josh pulled her closer as the kiss lingered and erased the last sense of time and place. If she lived to be one hundred years old she would never forget this night nor the kiss that stole her breath away.