Page 51 of Cava with My Colleague

Her eyes widen, and a guilty pang tugs at me. Have I never told her that?

The presentation goes better, just like the one yesterday. Jade’s still nervous, tripping over her words occasionally, but it’s a big improvement over what we did before.

I translate on autopilot, barely looking at her. Every time I do, I remember the fantasy from last night—her on her knees, my hand in her hair—and shame burns through me.

What was I thinking? What are we doing?

Diana finds me afterward, when Jade’s been waylaid by clients, and I hug her and kiss her cheek.

“Still on for dinner?” she asks.

“Yes, of course. This will be boring for you, I’m sure—more boring,” I amend at her crooked smile. “I’ll meet you in the lobby?”

“Actually, I need to pump.” Diana lifts the bag at her side, one of those insulated ones designed for breastfeeding mothers. “Can I use your room?”

“Of course.” I retrieve my key card from the inside of my jacket pocket. “Room 308.” I walk her out of the room, my hand guiding her lower back. As we navigate through the thinning crowd, I catch sight of Jade across the room, still talking to a patient. She’s animated, smiling, completely in her element.

Diana is thirty-two. A mother. She fits into my life seamlessly. I have family dinners with her, Sunday park visits, and I help with Carmencita when she and Fernando need a break. She is my family.

And Jade is . . . what? A colleague on a temporary assignment? A woman who bought a riding crop on a whim and challenged every assumption I’ve ever made about what’s appropriate?

There’s a group of pharmaceutical reps talking loudly by the exit, so I lean in closer to my daughter-in-law. “Should I come up and get you when I’m done?”

“Sure.” She grins up at me and nudges me playfully. “Don’t take too long or I’ll eat all your minibar items. I’ll be starving by the time I’m done.” She pauses, twisting her lips. “Or I’ll be falling asleep.”

I smile down at her. “I know. I promised Fernando I’d feed you. I’ll see you soon.”

I glance back once more before leaving the event room. Jade is laughing at something a patient said, her whole face lit up. For just a second, our eyes meet across the room.

She smiles—tentative, questioning. Like she’s trying to figure out where we stand after last night.

I should walk over. Say something. Acknowledge what happened between us.

Instead, I turn and guide Diana toward the elevators, the weight of my phone heavy in my pocket. I could text Jade later. Suggest we talk. Figure out what last night meant.

But what would I even say?

Let’s upend both our lives for something that has no future?

I don’t want complicated. And Jade deserves better than me trying to recapture something I haven’t felt . . . maybe ever.

“Carlos?” Diana’s voice pulls me back. “You okay? You seem distracted.”

“I’m fine,” I say automatically. “Just tired from the presentation.”

She accepts this with a nod.

I’m happy with my life. I am.

I repeat it to myself like a mantra, willing it to be true.

20

Jade

Something is wrong.

I noticed it the moment I arrived at the venue this morning. Carlos was already there—of course he was—but when I walked in, he barely glanced up. Just a quick nod, then back to his tablet.