Page 27 of Yours, For Now

"I work hard, yes. Our company is important to my family and me— I'm sure you understand," I replied. "My parents made great sacrifices in coming here, so I want to make them proud."

"What a wonderful son," Iris, Lina's mom, added. "I'm sure they're very proud."

"I hope so." I took a sip of water. I didn't even taste the wine I'd brought; I'd given Josué the night off and I'd driven, and wanted to stay sharp for this dinner. "The next couple of years are critical. We have big plans in the making. Once those are done, then I'll feel settled."

"That's how it is," Miguel said. "Hard work will get you there."

"But you also have to think of fun and building your own family," Iris's eyes twinkled as she looked from me to Lina. "Work isn't everything, and you're at the age where you should think about that. At your age I already had Lina!"

Ironic, that I wasn't here for fun. Being Lina's pretend boyfriend was all about trying to be a good person and helping her, and reaching my own company goals. But her family didn't know that, so of course their minds went to us getting married. Only logical place to go, really.

I held back from rolling my eyes.

"Mom, please." Lina shook her head. "Bringing up making a family and kids the first time Gabe's here? We've been dating for just over two weeks."

"If marriage isn't on the table, then why are you dating?" She shrugged. "Like I said, the clock's ticking."

"People don't only date for marriage," Lina continued. "It could be for companionship, or… or…"

I placed my cutlery on the plate to signal I was done eating. "Or because you like each other, with no plans for rings in the future."

"But if you're going to live together and make a family, why not get married?" Edgardo said.

"We're far from ready for that," Lina argued.

Miguel shook his head. "Young people don't understand commitment."

God, her family was pushy.

"I think both Lina and I are pretty committed to our jobs." I placed my hand on Lina's in a sign of support; we could be a team in this.

"There's only so long you can wait as a woman!" Iris started, but Miguel interrupted.

"He's a man, he has more time." He pointed a severe finger my way, and softened it with a smile. "But that doesn't mean you can play with my niece's feelings!"

"I am not playing with her feelings." I rubbed her hand with my thumb. "We both know what we're in this for."

"We wanted to see if dating could lead to good things." Lina trapped my thumb between hers and the side of her hand, and squeezed it. It might have been a strange gesture, looking at it from outside, but in the moment its reassurance feathered away the tension in my chest. "The three of you are not making it easy."

"Yes, well, good." Edgardo waved both hands in the air in a dismissive manner. "Let the kids be. No need to force them into an engagement yet."

Lina and I exchanged a look; hisyethadn't gone unnoticed to either of us.

They'd forced us into a fake relationship. I was willing to shift my work priorities for a shot at a project that could win me the CEO position and bring new business to the company. I was willing to come to a couple pushy dinners with Lina's family, and date her, and let people think we were together for romantic reasons… but I drew the line at marriage.

"Yes, yes. We're just teasing," Miguel said. "Besides, it's either they get married and this turns into an anecdote for the wedding, or they break up— and then who knows we'll have another chance to make fun of our Lina again!"

He laughed, certain his joke was funny and everyone would appreciate it.

I didn't join him. His jokes so far had all missed the mark.

I arched an eyebrow. "But why make fun of her in the first place?"

"You're both so serious." Miguel shook his head, but the smile remained. "Maybe it's a sign you were made for each other. Lina's just like that."

"But you have fun, right?" Iris asked in my direction, after taking a sip of wine. "What do you do to disconnect from work? I swear, it took me years to get Edgardo to slow down."

"Work hard," Edgardo said, "but not so hard that you don't have room to take a breath. The heart can't take it."