Page 96 of Dream Chaser

Friends.

I doubted either of us believed that anymore.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Nova

November

The drive to Pradollano in Sierra Nevada took us six hours. It baffled me that the snow-covered mountains were just an hour or two away from the beach, but I was quickly learning that Spain was defined by contrasts.

Alejandro stopped the car next to an impressive two-story stone-and-timber house. “You okay?” he asked, turning in his seat.

“Yeah. Excited.” Nervous, too—I always was when meeting someone new, and Manu had told us another friend of his was coming with his wife.

“Let’s go, then,” he said, unbuckling. “I promised Manu I’d help with dinner. Knowing him, we’re in for a three-course meal.”

Dusk settled over the snow-covered peaks. As I got out of the car, cool air bit my flushed cheeks, a striking contrast to Valencia’s warmth.

Alejandro retrieved a bag with groceries and the gift we’d bought for Manu and Camila from the trunk, and we headed for the house.

Laughter and music drifted from behind the closed door. “Guess we’re late,” I whispered.

His mouth quirked up on one side. “Good things are worth the wait,” he said just as the door opened, revealing a grinning Manu.

“Did you just call yourself a good thing? I only see one here, and that’s Nova. Nova, please come in. Your boss can stay in the car.”

“And leave her alone with you? Not a chance.”

Manu laughed. “He’s scared I’ll tell you all his secrets.” He gently gripped my forearm, pulling me into the house. “So, our freshman year, we decided to throw a party—”

“You decided,” Alejandro cut in, following me into the foyer. “That party almost got us kicked out of the apartment.”

“I knew you’d convince the landlord not to do that, so I went with the flow.”

Alejandro rolled his eyes. “The flow of alcohol. Here, take the groceries.”

Chuckling, Manu peeked into the bag. “Gracias. Dinner’s almost ready, but I’ll need help with the salad.”

“I can help,” I offered.

Manu shook his head. “You’ll sit and relax after I show you around. Cami and Raquel went to the village. They’ll be back soon.”

A tall, dark-haired guy around Manu’s age appeared in the foyer.

“This is Dani,” Manu said. “Pastry chef and Raquel’s husband.”

Dani grinned. “Husband first, chef later.”

After the introductions, we climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor. Manu gestured to the only door in the hallway. “Os van a encantar las vistas. A disfrutar.”

He winked, walking backward, then jogged down the stairs.

Alejandro sighed. “He said we’re going to love the views and told us to enjoy ourselves. Tell me why I think he’s up to something?”

“I might ask him to finish that story about the party,” I said as Alejandro pushed the wooden door open. “Seemed exciting.”

“I can tell you that one myself.”