![\"\"](\"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/maite-and-kepa-v3b.png\")
He\u2019d always stop himself there. Of course he and Maite were together, something he\u2019d dreamt of so many times when they were just friends, just part of the same cuadrilla. He mentally kicked himself whenever he caught himself thinking about Belen. But, sometimes, those thoughts came unbidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On one particularly light Tuesday afternoon, Iratxe suddenly appeared in the kitchen. She had a preternatural ability to do that, to appear without notice. Kepa was always taken aback, wondered if she had some kind of special ability of her own that made her even more intimidating than she already was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got a visitor,\u201d she said a bit gruffly, as if he wasn\u2019t supposed to have any kind of visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA visitor?\u201d he repeated as he threw the dish towel he was using to dry pans over his shoulder. He went around the long way from the kitchen to the bar. And there was Maite, sitting at the bar, looking as marvelous as she always did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaite!\u201d he exclaimed, swooping over to her and putting a little peck on her cheek. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClasses got out a bit early today and I\u2019m all caught up on my homework, so I thought I\u2019d see where you work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa made a grand sweep of his arm. \u201cThis is it,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, I like it a lot,\u201d she replied. \u201cIt reminds me of my parents\u2019 place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iratxe appeared suddenly behind the bar, conspiculously clinking glasses together as she rearranged them on the shelves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIratxe,\u201d said Kepa, almost timidly. He waited more than a few seconds before she turned around. \u201cThis is my girlfriend, Maite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite stood up and waved to Iratxe. \u201cNice to meet you,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd what a marvelous place you have here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEskerrik asko,\u201d replied Iratxe somewhat stiffly. \u201cIt pays the bills.\u201d She paused a moment. \u201cKepa has really turned out to be a godsend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa blushed. Those were the first nice words Iratxe had said since he started here. Before he turned completely red, he grabbed Maite\u2019s hand and pulled her through the dining room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere, let me introduce you to the others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the kitchen, Belen was cutting up vegetables for the evening soup. She paused as Maite and Kepa came through the doorway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBelen, this is my girlfriend Maite. Maite, this is Belen, the other cook here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belen and Maite exchanged kisses on each cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very nice to meet you,\u201d said Belen. \u201cKepa talks about you all the time and it is nice to put a face to the stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite raised an eyebrow in a way that always made Kepa jealous. \u201cAll good things, I hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belen leaned in and, in a whisper that wasn\u2019t all that quiet, said \u201cHe adores you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Maite\u2019s turn to blush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s told me about what a wonderful cook you are,\u201d said Maite, changing the subject. \u201cBetter than his ama makes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belen laughed. \u201cNow that, I doubt. But thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey,\u201d she added. \u201cThe bar is closed on Monday. Do you want to get a drink? My boyfriend also has the day off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa felt an odd pang at the mention of Belen\u2019s boyfriend. She had never mentioned a boyfriend before. But, even so, why should he care?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019d love to!\u201d exclaimed Maite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n