Three months later
Benny
It’s a gorgeous night in Mérida, in the west of Spain. A whole group from Francine’s apartment building are traipsing down a walkway past ancient stone buildings under tropical trees. We’re following Theo’s sister, Willow, who’s sure the restaurant she found for all of us is just around the corner. Antonio is complaining loudly.
I’m walking behind with Theo, spinning theories about the intersection of chemistry and microrobotics. Francine is constantly teasing us about having a bromance. I don’t know about that, but he’s definitely a friend now. It was through his connections that I found a new partner. We’re doing interesting things and even considering some collaborations with Theo’s company, Vossameer.
Kelsey and Jada and Mia and Francine are walking behind us, talking about the show we just saw at the Roman theater, the ancient-ruins theater that Francine’s been dreaming about all her life. It sounds like Kelsey and Francine got tons of ideas for the choreography. I have to admit that it really was breathtaking, being there in person.
Noelle and Malcolm catch up to us. Malcolm is sure the restaurant’s the other way. There’s a lot of good-natured arguing. Eventually phones come out. I can see why these people are so important to Francine. It’s really like a family.
We’re technically here helping to celebrate Noelle and Malcolm’s engagement, but they picked this place and made this vacation happen for the benefit of Kelsey and Francine. “Because why not?” as Noelle put it.
I have no doubt that the 42nd Street Twirlers will dance here. Francine and Kelsey are going to meet with a local girls dance troupe tomorrow—they’re hatching a sister dance troupe exchange scheme that everybody is excited about. It’s kind of brilliant. If all goes well, they’ll be hosting a dozen Spanish girls at a fabulous New York theater after they do their thing here.
Willow leads us through some creaky iron gates into a magical courtyard restaurant full of fountains and pine trees and sparkling lights. An entire corner is reserved for our group.
Francine claps. “I’m just so excited! You guys, I can’t believe this is even happening!”
“It’s not happening for a year,” Kelsey says.
“I don’t mean our girls performance,” Francine says. “I mean all of us, being friends, meeting in this beautiful place.”
“Weepy speech alert!” Jada screams. “Do I need to start filming?”
“No, I just wanted to say that!” Francine insists. “And also, love you all!” And then she looks over at me. “Especially you!”
“Double weepy alert!” Jada says.
I go over and kiss Francine. “I love you.”
The party gets underway. Max, the consummate entertainer of the group, has ordered everything on the menu, and also every form of alcohol, apparently. Antonio is speaking to a smitten waitress in fluent Spanish, because he’s the kind of man who can romance a woman in every language. Jada is poking him in the back, giving him shit, and I make a mental note to ask Francine about their history.
Later on that night, back in our hotel room, Francine and I are stretched out on the bed, exhausted from some semi-frenetic after-a-huge-dinner sex.
“Your friends are awesome,” I say.
“I’m so glad you think that. It’s so important to me that you like them.” She lays her head against my chest, and I know that I will never tire of this fascinating woman.
“I want to discover everything about you,” I whisper. “And I want to discover everything in life with you.”
“Same,” she sighs. “I feel like everything good is happening now. Like everything is chocolate chip cookie dough.”
I agree. Except…
“There was one thing that you wanted very much that you never did get,” I remind her.
“What do you mean?” She sits up and turns to me. “What would that be?”
“Well, if you don’t remember, maybe you don’t want it that badly,” I tease.
“Tell me!” she says. “You have to tell me.”
“You know how I love to hear you beg, though,” I say.
Her lips part in shock.
Of course I never could resist her.
I begin to hum the first strains of ‘Alejandro.’
Her face brightens. “Oh my god! What am I hearing?”
I sing her the song using the weird voice that she liked so much that night in Vegas.
She nestles her head back against my chest and hums along.
Thank you sooooo much for reading the tale of Francine and Benny—it means everything to me! I hope you had as much fun with them as I did.
Each book in this series stands completely on its own—turn the page to read about each one.
And if you feel like leaving a review, even a line or two, this is me blowing you kisses from afar. Reviews are so helpful to other readers and the series, too!
Watch for more from the gang in the future!