Overlooked // Pau Cubarsi

34

July 31st

Melanie

"You're going to love this!" I say as we walk back to the village side by side. Pau carrying our chipotle bag in one hand as his other hand rested on my lower back.
I had tried chipotle for the first time when I was in the states for a GP and ever since I loved it but the only problem was that there wasn't any in Barcelona but their was one in Madrid but Pau says he's never even thought of trying it while he's in Madrid with the national team. "That good, huh?" He smiles as we walk.

"It's decently healthy, plus! It was free because of our Olympic passes, who passes up free food?" I say happily.
Pau laughs, "Melanie, you felt bad so you left a €30 tip." I couldn't help but smile sheepishly, my face heating up at Pau's teasing. "It was just the right thing to do," I muttered, trying to brush off the slight embarrassment. "I didn't want her to think I was taking advantage of her kindness."

Pau chuckled, shaking his head. "You're something else, you know that? Always doing the most for people. You're lucky she was cool about it, it's literally written the door the Olympic athletes can get free food."

I glanced up at him, still feeling a little awkward. "I don't know, I just... didn't want to seem rude." I kept my eyes forward as we walked, but I could feel the warmth of his hand on my back, his thumb rubbing where my skin was exposed from my tank top, the gesture so simple but comforting. "And besides, it's not like a €30 tip is going to break me."

He laughs, his smile bright. "You're something else Melanie Sainz, I'm sure a lot of athletes just leave with the food without question."

I bump into him slightly as I laugh, my face heating up a bit more. "Stop teasing me."

Soon we make it a back to the hotel still joking around until someone calls out Pau's name.
I turn my head to see Fermin Lopez walk up towards us. "Hola, Melanie, how are you? I heard about that match, that was totally unfair." He says warmly. "Hola Fermin, I'm fine, football is football, can't control everything sadly." I reply with a smile before he moves his gaze to Pau giving him a hand shake.
"You didn't answer your phone earlier, Dónde has estado? Eric wanted to go get food." Fermin asks him.
Pau doesn't remove his hand from my lower back, instead he steps a little closer to me.
"We were just hanging, then we decided to get food." Pau shrugs at him.

Fermin raises an eyebrow, looking at Pau, then back at me with a playful grin. "Hanging, huh? Sure, sure." He smirks, clearly catching on to the vibe between us, but he doesn't press the matter further. "Well, I won't keep you two. Just make sure you don't miss dinner tomorrow again, Eric might track you down if you do."

Pau chuckles. "I won't. Thanks, Fermin."

Fermin gives us both a nod, then turns to head off. "Catch you later," he says over his shoulder.

I smile, still feeling the warmth of Pau's hand on my back as he keeps us walking toward the hotel.

"So," Pau starts after a brief silence, his voice light. "Ready to eat?"

"Of course I am."

When he make it back to my room, we on the small table in the corner while we ate and chatted away. After we finish eating, we end up sitting on my bed, just hanging out. We talk about random stuff, laughing, joking and talking about our favorite things. It's one of those moments where everything feels comfortable and easy, and there's no rush. We're just two people enjoying each other's company.
"You're such a nerd, how did you even know that?" Pau laughs at me a me, gently tugging me forward and I playfully nudge him back as he teases me. His laughter is infectious, and I can't help but smile even more.