Page 23 of Dream Chaser

For a few moments, Preston and the divorce left my mind.

“¿Te gusta?” Alejandro asked. “Sorry, do you like it?” While my gaze was glued to the scenery, his lingered on me.

“Very much,” I said. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”

Emerport was modern, but here, the modern blended with history in a mind-boggling contrast. If only I had more days to see everything.

For the rest of the ride, we kept quiet. Alejandro answered emails while I soaked in every detail of my surroundings.

Finally, the car stopped in front of the Mar de Cristal Hotel, which was hosting the sponsor event. The sun reflected off the glass panels painted in stunning gradients of blue and silver, doing the name Sea of Crystal justice.

The hotel’s lobby was even more breathtaking than the exterior. I grabbed my work phone and snapped a few photos. A large stainless-steel fountain in the shape of a wave. The soaring glass ceiling of the atrium. Details said a lot about a place, and this interior spoke volumes. The shots I’d taken would make a beautiful post later.

While I was busy taking pictures, Alejandro greeted a few suit-clad men in Spanish. Then he glanced my way, nodding toward the ballroom.

Inside, ambient blue lights rippled across the glass walls and the ceiling. The effect was like being inside an aquarium. I took more photographs until the marketing director of Ignis Gear appeared to give his opening remarks.

Applause traveled through the hall as his speech wrapped up, and he introduced Asher and two other racers. They climbed the blue-lit stage, helmets tucked under their arms, their brand-new street leather gear catching the light.

I adjusted my phone gimbal and lined up an Instagram story, making sure the sponsor’s blue and silver logo was angled just right.

On stage, Asher broke into a broad grin. Not for the sponsor—for Kaia, who stood in front, looking at him with awe. For a second, I angled the camera toward her, then aimed it back at him.

Flashes burst, and excited voices rose above the music. As Asher answered questions and talked to industry pros, I uploaded more stories, then focused on snapping more shots to post on our grid later.

Waiters slid past me, their trays overflowing with champagne flutes and tapas. I’d have some later if I could. Now, the determination to prove myself outweighed the thirst and hunger.

You don’t know what work is.

Preston’s voice roared in my ears. I clenched my jaw, pouring every bit of my attention into today’s mission—posting something people would engage with more than before so I could make Ignis Gear happy and make Alejandro want me in his agency long-term.

I captured more candid shots of Asher with Kaia. Once the official part of the event was over, they approached me, holding hands.

“Nova.” Kaia beamed. “This place is so cool, isn’t it? Did you take lots of pictures? I took some, but I’m sure they’re not as good as yours.”

“I’m sure they’re awesome. I wanted to post a few pictures of you and Kaia in stories, Asher. I hope you don’t mind.”

He nodded, slipping his arm around Kaia’s waist. She immediately leaned into him like it was the most natural thing to do. “Sure. Post them.”

“Could you send me those too?” Kaia asked. “Please? I collect them.”

The two of them exchanged a look. Intimate. Lingering. Like something whose meaning was meant only for them.

A pang of envy pierced my insides—envy of the kind of relationship I’d always wanted and never had. Preston had never been affectionate. I’d lied to myself that I was okay without affection, just like I was without flowers, meaningful gifts, or vacations.

Other things are more important, I used to tell myself after yet another weekend of Preston lying on the couch, clicking through channels without acknowledging me. He’d only remember I was there when he wanted me to bring snacks.

He’d never cared, and I’d made not caring about me comfortable.

I lowered my eyes to the phone and texted Kaia the photos.

“Thank you,” she said, studying them. “They’re so good.”

The compliment warmed me. “I’m glad you like them. I’ll take more tomorrow at the circuit.”

“Good idea.” Alejandro came over, holding two glasses of champagne. “Cava,” he said, handing me one.

Not champagne, then. I needed to educate myself, or I’d risk coming across as uncultured.