The Spanish Love Deception

As Aaron drives, a frustrated Lina finds herself recognizing his appeal: “So far I had somehow been able to overlook how attractive Aaron was. Not that I hadn’t noticed he was good looking. I had. Although I had only needed to remember his dry and sour personality to gloss over that rather quickly” (107-08).

Lina continually needles Aaron about the charity event. He eventually tells her that it is an auction he attends because of his family’s involvement with the NCAA (the highest level of college football in America). There will be a number of powerful people present, and the auction will raise funds for animal rescue. Aaron himself is interested in rescue dogs. When Lina asks what will be auctioned, Aaron says he will be one of the items on sale. They stop in front of a skyscraper, and she sees a parking valet. Aaron helps her out of the car, and they go to the party.

Lina describes the rooftop of the skyscraper, where high society people gather with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Aaron introduces her to different groups of people, all of whom seem to know him well; she struggles to blend in. As she moves from one group to another, she meets Angela, the woman who organized the event. Lina learns that this event is the third time in which Aaron has been auctioned off. Aaron tells her that she needs to make the winning bid for him so no one else buys him; he intends to cover the payment for her.

As Lina and Aaron talk, a former teammate of Aaron’s, TJ, introduces himself to Lina. TJ asks Lina to bid on him, saying he is an available bachelor, just like Aaron. Aaron tells TJ to back off—that Lina is only going to bid on him. TJ refers to some hostility between their old coach and Aaron, and Aaron quickly cuts him off. Lina ponders this hostility. Eventually, the two men walk away when the auction begins.

Lina finds herself bidding on an older man whom none of the other women bid for. She looks at Aaron apologetically, as she is bidding with his money. When she waves at him to indicate this, the auctioneer mistakes it for another bid. Fortunately, another woman bids on the man at the last moment.

When Aaron takes the stage for bids, Lina finds herself bidding against a number of women, then ultimately, one older woman whom she calls the “Lady in Red” (135). She and Lina glare at each other as they continue to bid. Lina makes the winning bid and sneers at the other woman. Aaron thanks her and asks her to dance with him.

While Lina and Aaron dance, the former is acutely aware of how close they are; she physically responds to his touch. Lina is a good dancer, but she almost falls and steps on Aaron’s feet. He laughs and twirls her around.

The pair start a casual conversation about the auction and Aaron’s prior experiences. The previous year, the Lady in Red won the auction for Aaron. The woman, Mrs. Archibald, did not like the resulting date that consisted of working with rescue dogs at a shelter.

Lina begins to feel herself being swept away. This confuses her, as she believes Aaron is her adversary. When Lina mentions the word “friends” (147), Aaron stops and asks if she wants him to be her friend. She answers “yes,” then “no.” This triggers something in him, and he suddenly becomes aloof. He leaves her on the dance floor, saying he will be back to take her home.

The following Monday morning, Lina attends the monthly company meeting. She and Aaron exchange glances, but nothing is said between them as they wait. During the meeting, their boss Jeff announces that Aaron will take his job, making him Lina’s boss.

Afterward, Lina follows Aaron to his office to tell him that she no longer expects him to accompany her to Spain. With Aaron being the new boss, Lina thinks the trip would be inappropriate. Aaron insists on honoring his promise. During the discussion, he says she’s not telling him everything. Lina internally responds, “There was much I wasn’t telling him. And it’d stay that way” (161).

After a lengthy, late night video call with an important client, Lina decides she needs water. She feels light-headed and has not eaten all day. Walking down the hallway, she grows dizzy and collapses. Lina hears someone speak her name and carry her down the hallway. She wakes on the couch in Jeff’s office with Aaron kneeling beside her. He gives her a granola bar and asks why she has been refusing to eat for several weeks. Lina explains that it should be obvious: She is trying to lose weight for the wedding.

Aaron takes Lina to his car to drive her home, against her protests. She falls asleep and wakes to him speaking to her sister Isabel on the phone. Alarmed, she asks him to repeat their conversation for her. As he complies, she receives a number of text messages. Lina realizes that Isabel was taken by Aaron’s voice and wants to see photos of him. Lina’s mother spoke to Isabel and wants to know what kind of food she should prepare for Aaron. Lina and Aaron discuss the situation at hand. Looking out the window of his car, she sees a fish taco truck. Aaron buys Lina tacos, then delivers her to her apartment.

At Lina and Rosie’s favorite coffee shop, Around the Corner, Lina orders a drink and two brownies and speaks to Sally, the woman who runs the store. Aaron comes up behind Lina and orders an espresso. He wants to pay for her order, and they debate whether or not he should.

Lina reflects on their physical proximity and its effect on her. Aaron insists on paying for whatever she wants, so she retaliates by ordering one of every kind of pastry. He tells Lina to be on time for their flight to Spain.