Page 5 of Yours, For Now

"Nope. That's penciled-in for two years in the future."

"Until after the transition, I gather?"

I nodded. "Can't see getting a girlfriend while going through it all."

"So strict. What if someone surprises you?"

"Nah," I shrugged. "Can't see it happening. I'm too focused on this—" I waved around my office— "to even find someone."

Jake smirked. "We'll see, I guess."

"Please. Don't tell me you think it's easy to find someone? You don't have a girlfriend."

He sipped from his mug. "But I'm not the one asking you to be my best man."

"I'd still say yes if you asked."

"Shut up. Of course I'll ask you when— if— the day ever comes."

"You better. I didn't ask you to have lunch with me in third grade for nothing."

Jake rolled his eyes and got up, unfurling his long and wide body. "I should go. I need to prep for a meeting myself. We'll talk later, and you can tell me what the hell the meeting with Lina was about."

I nodded as he stepped out of the office, and I put my head down to work.

The head offices for the Sotomayor Group were located on five floors at the top of a skyscraper. Apparently, the offices in Chicago, New York, and Toronto were only three floors. From the research I had done, in every other city, the offices were only two floors… but they had thirty-eight workplace locations throughout the world. That's how the conglomerate ran their international businesses in style.

The elevator zoomed up to the top-most level; when the doors opened, I was greeted by a pretty woman I had only met a couple of times before.

"Lina?" she asked, a half-surprised, half-confused look on her face.

"Violeta! Hola!" I stepped out of the elevator, and we moved to the side to not block the doors for anyone else.

"It's been ages!" she said. Her long, wavy hair was up in a half ponytail, and the cream blouse she wore contrasted beautifully with her plum-colored skirt. Both made her light brown skin shine with a warm undertone.

I was glad I'd chosen a blue power suit, with pretty piping on the blazer. If we'd had the time, I would have loved to share notes, to see where she found— or got tailored— her clothes to fit bodies like ours, with plenty of volume and curves. As it was, I hoped she'd feel the same kind of silent camaraderie that I felt, knowing we both seemed to be the kind of people who wanted to decorate our bodies and be okay standing out, despite what most fashion designers thought of fat bodies.

Not to say anything about my admiration for her, considering how high up she was in such a large company, with enough power for her voice to matter in every decision. Just like I wished I could do, on the much smaller scale of my family's company.

"We met at the Construction Cares gala a few years ago, right?" I asked. "I think Gabe introduced us."

"That's right! That's the year he took Jake and I as well."

I grinned. "You make it sound like Gabe doesn't like to take you to it."

"Oh, no, he'd love it if we went. We tend to avoid it." The smile that stretched her face was so brilliant, it was like it illuminated all of the floor by itself. Yes, she was gorgeous. "So what are you doing here?"

"I have a meeting with your brother, actually. I guess he didn't mention it?"

"Oh, I'm the head of the legal department. I was on my way to a meeting elsewhere. He likely didn't think I needed to be involved yet. Was he wrong?"

I chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't want to say anything that could incriminate me."

"Perfect answer." Violeta laughed. "I have to get going though. Can I help you find Gabe?"

"Yes, if you can show me the way."

"I'll text him and he'll come find you. More welcoming that way, right?" She took her phone from her bag and typed on it. "Aaaaand I'm sending him and his assistant a quick email, too. You never know if maybe he's distracted on a call or something."