She doesn’t want Noah to know yet. And I respect that. I do. But damn, it sucks sneaking around when all I want is to tell my best friend that I’ve finally found the real thing. That I’m in love.
At my house, I drop my bag by the door and walk through the quiet, familiar space. The place looks the same, but it feels different now. Like it's waiting for her too. I can see her in the kitchen, laughing while she steals food off my plate. I can picture her getting ready in my bathroom, dancing in one of my shirts, barefoot and beautiful. I canseea life here with her.
I grab my phone, needing to feel connected to her again, even if just through a screen.
Me: Are you home?
My girl: Yes. Just arrived. I’m running to the salon to start packing the orders.
Me: Want some help?
My girl: Sure. See you in thirty?
Me: See you.
I smile, already grabbing my keys again. I might not be able to hold her hand in public yet, but thirty minutes from now, I’ll be where I belong, by her side.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Eva
It’s been three days, and I’m still smiling like a complete fool.
I lean against the counter at the salon, the soft hum of the diffuser filling the room with lavender and eucalyptus. The sun filters through the front windows in streaks of gold, warming the space around me, and for once, I’m not stressing over orders, deadlines, or social media posts. I’m just... content.
A rare kind of peace has settled in me. The kind that feels earned.
I check the time on the wall. I have no client at this moment. Normally, I’d be anxious, mentally running through the rest of my to-do list, but right now? I don’t mind. It gives me a few minutes to think about him.
Esteban.
God, even just saying his name in my head sends a flutter through my chest.
Every night since we got back, I’ve gone to his place after work and he cooks for me. He made arroz con pollo the firstnight, and I swear I almost cried. After dinner, we cuddle up on his couch with some random movie playing in the background that neither of us actually watches. We talk, we laugh, we make out like we’re in high school, we also make love and I fall asleep in his arms every time.
No one has ever made me feel the way Esteban does: safe, wanted, sexy, all at once. It’s not just the sex, although yeah, the sex is out-of-this-world amazing. It’s him. His patience. His hands always knowing just how to hold me. The way he always listens, really listens. The way he tucks my hair behind my ear before he kisses me like he’s waited all day for that moment.
I think I’m in love with him.
Who am I kidding? I know I am.
Biting my lip, I glance toward the door, a little nervous flutter kicking in. Today’s the day I’m going to tell him he doesn’t have to wait anymore. He can talk to Noah and tell him everything.
Because why should we hide?
I don’t even remember why I asked him to wait in the first place. Maybe it was fear of Noah getting weird or territorial, of things getting messy. But the truth is, my brother’s going to have to get over it. I love Noah, but I’m not asking for permission to live my life.
Esteban and I are real. We’re good. And I’m not going to let anyone, not even my brother, make me second-guess what we have.
Tonight, I’ll tell him.
And I know, without a single doubt, that he’ll smile that slow, heart-melting smile of his, pull me into his arms, and say, “It’s about time, mi amor.”
Because with him, it always feels like the right time.
The little bell above the door jingles, pulling me out of my thoughts as a new client finally arrives.
My smile falters for just a second when I realize who’s stepped in.
