Page 10 of Yours, Finally

I took a deep breath and counted out slowly. Something had changed, but I wasn't sure what yet.

Food had been consumed, and I offered to help Tío Raúl with cleaning up the dishes. The Sotomayor's house had a big kitchen with a large breakfast nook; when they had bought the stately home, they made sure we would have enough room around the table. The plan was that Violeta's parents could sit comfortably alongside their two children, me, and each of our partners.

Tío Raúl and I moved around the modern, stylish kitchen with ease. Everyone else stayed at the table for the first little while. My best friend, Gabe, was the only one officially dating someone; he and Lina, a driven business woman and Gabe's girlfriend, stayed at the table with Tía Sonia, his mom. Violeta joined her dad and I by offering to get dessert and coffee ready, when we were almost done.

"Go sit, Tío," I said. "I'll help Vi take everything."

He didn't argue and let me finish up. Soon we had all sat around the table again, a rare lúcuma cake— Tía Sonia's favorite— in front of us. Whatever the news, it would be good.

The pressure in my chest released.

After we'd all taken a few bites, Gabe and Tío Raúl shared a long, telling look.

"Are you finally going to give us the news?" Tía Sonia asked, her accent soft and comforting as always.

"Do you want to do the honors, Dad?" Gabe smiled.

"No, I think you should." Tío hid a grin behind his coffee mug as he took a long sip.

Lina grabbed Gabe's hand over the table. "What's going on? You haven't said anything."

"No, it just became official today." Gabe lifted their interlocking fingers and kissed the back of her hand. "We had a couple of meetings with the Board and, well… plans have changed somewhat."

I had to consciously hold back from stealing a glance at Vi, but I felt her eyes on my face. Any change to the company structure could potentially make things worse for us… or remove the biggest barrier that had forced us apart two and a half years ago.

"We'll make it official at the meeting next week, but we wanted to share it with the family first," Tío Raúl said. "That's why we wanted you all here tonight."

A pang pinched my heart, like every time they implied I was family. My love for the Sotomayors was deep and full of gratitude; to know they cared about me never failed to feel a little unreal, and a lot amazing.

"So?" Vi's voice sounded primarily excited, but I had paid close attention for years. There was a thread of anxiety in it too. "What's the news?"

Gabe grinned at each of us in turn, but settled his eyes on Lina. "Remember how the original plan was to wait another year before we did the big change, and I took over the CEO role, Jake went up to my role, and Dad retired? Well, we decided it would be best if Dad and I worked together before he transitioned out. That means…"

My best friend turned to me, a huge smile on his face. "Congratulations, Jake. You're getting a promotion sooner than expected."

A tremor built behind my breastbone. Tectonic plates shifted and sought a new way to engage. Years and years of working for the Sotomayors had paid off, and I was finally reaching the highest level I would likely ever reach. Between this and the years of love and care I had had with them, I had gone beyond my wildest dreams.

Me, a poor white kid from a violent home, a VP in an international conglomerate.

"You both are getting a promotion sooner than expected, then!" Tía Sonia exclaimed.

I couldn't talk yet. This change didn't only accelerate the executive plan for the Sotomayor Group… it also meant that Vi and I would finally be at the same hierarchical level.

If the shift of tectonic plates before had caused a tremor, this realization was an earthquake.

I couldn't help it. I gazed at Vi, whose eyes were glued to mine.

She had made the connection, too. Two years ago, she had feelings for me. If there was any chance she still had them, maybe this change filled her mind with questions, too. Maybe she wondered if I would take this as a chance to repeat our one kiss. Or to grow the balls to overcome my worries, and take a chance on us.

"Come on!" Tío Raúl patted my shoulder. "I thought you'd be more excited! You get to become VP."

I tore my gaze from Vi and stared at the man I thought of as a father figure. "I'm not sure I'm ready."

"What?" Gabe frowned in my direction. "You've been helping me with a lot of things, ever since Lina and I did the bid for the stadium deal. You already have a hand in most of the things I run, and I will be right next to you for the transition. I may be shadowing my dad as the co-chief, but part of my role will be to oversee your role. There'll be a plan to support you, just like my dad will be supporting me. You won't be alone."

Tío Raúl left his hand on my shoulder. "We wanted to tell you so you wouldn't be surprised at the meeting next week when we announce it, but don't worry— the actual transition to this new set up won't happen until six to eight weeks from now. You've always been a critical piece in our plans. We need you. We'll help you. You'll have time to address any concerns."

"It's okay to be nervous," Tía Sonia said. "But don't forget, you're completely capable. You didn't get here without merit. Raúl is right— you're family,andyou're an important piece in our success as a business."