Page 43 of Yours, For Now

"Fine, fine." I sighed. "Say your piece."

"You're working too hard, Gabe. And I know why you do it, and I want the same thing. But your parents wouldn't want you breaking up with Lina only so you can work."

"I know that. That's why the plan was to not meet anyone, so I wouldn't end up in this position."

"Haven't you known Lina for years? Technically you haven't met anyone new, and yet…"

"And yet." I pressed my lips together, frustration sweeping over me. "It's just the wrong time. If this had happened three years from now we'd be having a different conversation but, now? I'm trying to charm the Board with a business deal that is taking a lot of extra hours to achieve, eating away at the little time I had for myself. And there's soccer, which is supposed to help me stay healthy."

"And there's Lina," Jake said with emphasis, his eyes hard on me.

"And there's Lina."

"You must like her, why else would you have started it out with her?"

"Why else, indeed." I scoffed and looked up at the ceiling. "I just couldn't help myself, I think."

Because she needed help, and even then I liked her. I just like her more now. And wasn't that the problem? Lina was part of my life at the moment, and I liked it enough that, if I could add extra hours to the day just to see her, I would.

"So we're left with you either taking a step back from Lina, or you stop working so hard. Otherwise, you're going to burn out and not be good for anyone. Not even charming the Board."

I sipped coffee and rubbed my eyebrows. "Yeah. It just sucks."

"I can help more with the project side of things. Let me help." He rubbed his hands on his thighs, like he was ready to jump into it.

I smiled. "Thanks, Jake. I could really use your help. Or else, I don't know how I can do everything. I'll send you an email tomorrow with the details."

"So you're not going to break up with Lina? Good."

We stared at each other for a second. Jake was probably one of the people who knew me best, and he knew what he was doing. His gaze was direct and challenging; it made me want to relent and argue, all at the same time.

"I'll have to," I said, "but not yet."

He frowned. "If you know you want to break up with her, then do it. Don't string her along."

"I don't— I won't. Lina and I are on the same page. She knows my life isn't right for this relationship for the next couple of years and to be honest, neither is hers. We're just keeping each other company for a bit, but… there's the wedding we're going to next Saturday. And then the results for the stadium shortlist. I can't break up with her now. And I don't want to. It'd be like breaking up with her before the holidays."

"Talk it out with her, then. And if you're going to stay with her a bit longer… then at least enjoy it, okay? And don't skip soccer. Give me some work to do now—"

"Don't you have to finish that personal project of yours?"

"I can handle it. At least I'm actually single, unlike you."

"You're such an overprotective best friend."

"Just paying it forward, for all the years we've been in this together."

"I hate it when you go all softie on me. Because I love it too much to fight you."

"Go and enjoy life, Gabe. If you're going to date Lina for the next few weeks, at least do it properly."

Chapter 14

Jake'swordsstillresoundedin my mind when Saturday arrived, and Josué took me to Lina's to pick her up for her cousin's wedding. After asking Lina for details, I'd learned the venue was at the gardens of an old estate home, and that she would wear a two-piece yellow dress. I chose my suit accordingly, with dark gray pants, a tan belt, and a sand-colored jacket. If our outfits matched, we'd probably look more in sync. There was something about the idea that appealed to me.

I asked my driver to park by the main door and wait for me. Like that first night, the doorbell didn't give any indication it had rung, and I stood out there with nerves pinching my stomach. Like I was a teen again, picking up my date for prom.

Edgardo opened the door. "Gabriel, hola. Come on in, the ladies are taking a while." He gave a long suffering sigh and let me in.