Page 1 of Yours, For Now

Chapter 1

Notevenanoceanof people could stop me from searching for Lina at the Construction Cares Gala. The organization hosting the annual fundraising party seemed to be as dear to her as it was to me, and we spent some time checking in with each other every year— six straight times by my count. Relief coasted through my insides when all the faces around me parted like a biblical sea, and her eyes locked with mine through the crowd.

I smiled and made my way to her. People were jam-packed in the hall this year, and I strode among my well-dressed and deep-pocketed peers. I never let my connection to Lina waver. The theme for this year's party wasA Bright Future, and everything was decorated to glow— several sparkling chandeliers hung from the tall ceilings, the walls and table linens had a subtle glitter effect, and tall extravagant centerpieces were filled with flowers shaped like stars. It made me feel like I walked on the arm of a galaxy towards Lina. I couldn't wait to see all the lights glimmering in her eyes.

Strolling toward her was my chance to admire her generous curves, but I tried to be discreet about it. This year, she'd chosen a deep amethyst dress, pinned and tucked and cut in such a way that my eyes wanted to feast on her breasts. The gown had an old Hollywood style to it, and the curls of her hair accentuated the look. The full skirt camouflaged her abundant hips, but I hid the disappointment of it. She looked wonderful regardless.

Lina waited for me with an arched eyebrow and a relatively familiar purse of her lips. Like facing me was mildly inconvenient, but she'd endure it without much of a fuss. Maybe just a little bit of fuss.

It was the same gesture that overtook her face every time we met at this event. And, like every year, it brought a teasing smirk to my lips.

"Catalina Martínez. I'm glad to see you." I was being honest, but I added a charming smile anyway.

She pulled her long hair to one side and over her shoulder. "Gabriel Sotomayor. Can't say I'm surprised to see you."

She looked so good that it triggered a wave of self-consciousness over my simple tuxedo, and made me regret that I had surreptitiously loosened my tie earlier. I patted down my stomach, my fingers catching on the single button keeping my jacket closed.

"Why, because we meet every year?" I asked. I should have tried a more daring suit this time.

"No, because you go out of your way to find me every year."

A cheeky gesture accompanied her statement, and it brought a laugh out of me.

I shrugged. "Maybe I do it for the irony. We live and work in the same city, and yet, we only meet at Construction Cares. In another city, far away from home."

As far as I knew, Lina had started working at her family's company a couple of years after I had started at mine. We didn't quite move in the same circles, and we rarely saw each other. This party was it for us.

Lina squinted at me, and studied me from under the ridge of her eyebrows. "Eh. I think you just wanted to see a familiar face. Then you can jump back on your private jet and go home knowing you said hi to me. Another task crossed off your list."

That stole another smirk out of me. She liked to keep me on my toes, direct as always. "Did you know I come to this gala with my friends every year? I have plenty of familiar faces at this event. They're all around schmoozing and starting deals and having fun."

She gazed around, looking for proof that my friends were working the room around us, or maybe like she doubted they were even real. I smiled. What lived under such a self-assured and slightly defiant personality? I'd wager she used it as a shield. Meeting me with a challenge was part of our annual ritual, but I had seen enough to know there was a softer side to her somewhere inside. I'd peeked at it before, too.

"Deals?" She arched an eyebrow. "I thought we're meant to be buying ridiculously overpriced tables, and bidding for things we don't need, to raise money for underprivileged folks."

Sometimes I wondered why I didn't seek her out, during all those months from one gala to the next. Not only did I appreciate the way she looked, I also found her intriguing. I wanted to knowmore. Understand. Maybe even test if she'd soften for me. Then I remembered my business goals and realized, all over again, that it would be the wrong way to derail my plans.

I gave her my best smile, to show her I wasn't intimidated by her challenge. "That's happening, too. We make sure to do our part— we got five tables and brought a bunch of people as well. I promise I'll be giving away lots of money tonight."

"Your own, or the company's?"

I grinned. "Both."

Now that I thought about it, that was probably why I sought her out every year. I enjoyed the way she challenged me.

She sipped from her tall glass, her eyes steady on me. "As long as you do."

"We do. It's the right thing to do."

She gave me a small nod. Someone walked past her and she stepped toward me to make room for them. I didn't move, so we ended up standing closer.

"I have to admit I was hoping to see you this year, too," she said. "I have a project I'd like to discuss with you."

The surprise of her words pulled a small jerk out of my head. "A… business deal?"

Lina frowned. She watched the crowd around us, then lifted her eyes at one of the big chandeliers hanging from the ceiling near us. "Yes."

This was big. Technically, we didn't have much of an overlap. Her family's company was in construction, and focused on public deals across the country. The Sotomayor Group was a big name in private construction, but those projects were larger than what Martínez and Associates usually dealt in. We typically worked in different areas and kept to ourselves; if it weren't for this gala and the fact the Martínez family were Latine, too, I didn't think I would have ever exchanged words with Lina. The possibility of a business opportunity sparked a curious tingle behind my sternum.