Page 38 of Deacon

I navigated the coastal turns, the blue stretch of the ocean gleaming to my left as I drove to our destination.

Half an hour later, we stepped into SEA LIFE Benalmádena, the cool air hitting us as the twilight blue glow of the glass tanks washed over us.

Raff dragged us toward the underwater tunnel, pointing at a giant ocean turtle gliding overhead.

‘Look at the size of that thing,’ Christine laughed, snapping a photo of Raff pressed against the acrylic wall.

We spent hours wandering through the dappled corridors, checking out stingrays, clownfish, and miniature seahorses while Raff rattled off every random sea life fact he knew.

Afterward, we stepped back out into the bright afternoon heat and headed straight for a gelateria by the marina.

I bought Raff a double scoop of chocolate, grabbed Christine a cup of pistachio, and settled for a cold espresso.

We sat on a wooden bench near the docks, white yachts bobbing in the harbor tide as Raff dribbled melted ice cream down his chin.

‘Best day ever,’ he declared, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

‘Glad you liked it, buddy,’ I said, smiling as I ruffled his curls while Christine handed him a napkin.

By four o’clock, we were back at the villa, exhausted, sun-baked, and content, as Raff headed inside for a quick nap.

Later that night, after dinner, I sat outside alone with an ice-cold brew, the humidity clinging to my skin.

Upstairs, Raff slept soundly in his room, and in the cinema room, Christine’s loud belly laughs echoed through the house as she binged a K-drama series with popcorn.

My phone vibrated on the glass table.

I eyed the notification.

Nashami: Nightcap in town? I’ve discovered a hidden spot. It’s fabulous.

I stared at the screen, debating my options.

I wanted to turn her down until a sudden thought hit me.

Why was I sitting here solo, wallowing while the rest of the world moved on, including my ex?

‘Screw it,’ I muttered.

I texted back to confirm and got a location name and address.

Tracking upstairs, I showered and found black denim jeans, a tee, and a fitted military-style blazer.

I pulled on a pair of Saint Laurent boots and headed downstairs.

After swinging by Christine to let her know I was out for the evening, I stepped into the street at the front of the house to grab an Uber ride downtown.

The driver dropped me off at a discreet entryway tucked between two white residential buildings.

Inside, the venue was tiny, intimate, and dim.

Gilded mirrors and velvet seating added to the ambiance.

Only three other tables had customers, and sultry Spanish music played from the speaker.

Candles, lamps, and plush hangings added to the snug vibe.

Nashami sat in a back corner, her eyes locking onto mine the second I stepped through the door.