I get to my feet.“I’ll be back.”
I slip out of the room, lingering near the elevators as I answer the phone.
“Hey, Marco.”
“Hermanita.”His deep voice makes me smile.“You’ve not come by the restaurant in a while.”
I shuffle my shoes.Marco is eight years older than me.When our father died, he stepped in and helped our mother raise us.He may be my brother, but he’s more of a father figure.Disappointing him is worse than disappointing my mother.
“Sorry, I’ve been busy,” I murmur.“Our company changed management, and—I guess you don’t want to hear all that.”
He chuckles, a rich and comforting sound.“I always like hearing you talk about your work.I was concerned.I thought it might have something to do with Luis.”I close my eyes, silently cursing my ex-boyfriend in my heart.I broke up with the man two months ago, but he haunts me like a ghost.
“It wasn’t Luis, Marco.I’ve just been working overtime.”
“Alright.I was just checking in.I know you’re a bad cook, so I’m going to drop over some dinner for you at your place after work.I’ll leave it in the fridge.”
A smile forms on my lips.“Thanks, Marco.You’re the best.”
He pauses.“And Elena says she’s sending over some of that pineapple cake you like.”
My smile widens.“Give her my love.Her and the kids.”
“I will.”
When he doesn’t say anything further, my stomach tightens.“Why did you really call me, Marco?Was it Mamá?”
He lets out a heavy sigh.“Don’t be too hard on her,hermanita.She’s just worried about you.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying not to let my famous temper leak through.“I know.I know she’s worried.But she should trust me that the life I’m building is the one I want.Luis made his stance clear.If you’re also going to tell me to get back with?—”
“I’m not.”My brother’s voice is calm, like still water over deep currents.“If you’re not happy with Luis, you don’t have to marry him.I want you to be happy, Eve.Mamá’s just… She panics easily, you know.She’s always wanted you to settle down.”
I see the number on the elevator reach our floor, and I lower my voice.“I know.And I will.One day, when I meet the right person.”
The words have just left my mouth when the elevator doors open and a man walks out wearing a crossbody leather bag, his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed.He’s wearing a dress shirt and a dark pair of jeans, a thick wool sweater and a winter coat both draped over his arm.Casual, yet professional enough for our department—but that’s not why I’m staring at him.
That carefully tousled blonde hair, slightly tanned skin, and those hazy blue eyes.I’d recognize this man anywhere.He’s tall—at least six foot—with broad shoulders and the kind of careless grace that speaks of athleticism.Like the sun decided to take human form just to mock the rest of us.
A sudden flutter starts in my stomach, and I dig my nails into my palm, refusing to acknowledge the stab of unwelcome attraction.It’s just biology, I tell myself.The same way plants turn toward the sun, some women apparently turn toward men who look like they stepped out of a fragrance commercial.
Caleb Wilder.
My hand tightens around the phone, and I mutter, “I have to go, Marco.I’ll talk to you later.There’s a pest control situation I need to handle.”
Ending the call, I tuck the phone in my pants’ back pocket, my eyes pinned on the man who made my college life hell.
“You,” I breathe.
Caleb’s attention flickers towards me, and I see his eyes widen fractionally, those ocean-blue depths registering something—recollection?surprise?—before settling back into casual indifference.He begins walking towards me, and I brace myself.What can he possibly say to me after all these years?I swear, if he even thinks of rubbing the past?—
“Excuse me, can you point me in the direction of the Branding and Strategy Division?”
His voice is polite with that hint of New York confidence I’d forgotten about, and the lack of recognition almost makes me stagger back.Is he kidding me?After what he put me through, he doesn’t remember me?
My jaw tightens, and I’m about to say something when I hear Iris’s voice.
“There you are, Caleb.”She smiles warmly as she approaches us.“You’ve met Eve.Good.Eve, this is Caleb Reynolds, the new hire.Caleb, this is Eve Lopez.She’s one of the core members of the Branding and Strategy Division.You’ll be working alongside her and the rest of the team.Come on in.I don’t think you’ve met everyone yet.”
