Page 12 of Yours, Finally

Gabe and I shared the floor up high in a skyrise, our two condos the only properties there. I needed to get in that car too, to catch a ride with him— this time as planned.

But I stared at Vi for a second, torn as always between wanting to kiss her and keeping my distance. Even the simple cheek-to-cheek kiss that her family favored seemed like too much. Yet not doing it always stood out.

Awkward…

"Bye, Jake. See you at the office."

Having made the decision for me, she turned around and went back into the house. I could imagine her wishing her parents good night, then going to her bedroom alone.

Just like I would go into my place alone.

I got in the back seat of Gabe's car, and took the whole ride to think about where the lines lay between Vi and I, and where they'd move to with the upcoming transition.

Even in my reticence I liked to fantasize, sometimes.

Tres Amigos + Jake, Jake's best friends chat group

Gabe: Guess what: in six to eight weeks, I'll be the Sotomayor Group's new co-CEO. We changed the plan for the transition and I'll shadow my dad for a year before he retires

Max: Congratulations! Jake finally knows?

Jake: How long have you guys known? I suppose the director by proxy that you assigned, Max, kept you informed

Max: That's right. But I was informed a couple of weeks ago. I celebrated with Eva, who wishes to congratulate you, of course.

Javier: I've known for just as long. Congrats, man

Jake: We're still congratulating Gabe, aren't we? Why are we talking about this? I was the only one who didn't know

Max: we're congratulating you both, obviously

Javier: any plans to celebrate?

Max: the gala is around the time of the transition. It’s in your city this time. Should we all go and toast to it? Eva will attend with me again this year

Jake: You all know I don't like going

Gabe: you can make an exception this year, yes? So that we can all toast you

Jake: we could all meet at the lake house instead

Max: I vote we do both

Javier: both sounds good

Gabe: attending every three years should be doable, right? Come on, Jake

Jake: fine. I'll go this year

Gabe: perfect. I'll enlist Mom to help me convince Vi to attend as well. We should *all* toast to this change

Jake: shouldn't we talk about the other party first?

Max: what other party?

Gabe: You're officially invited to my parents' 40th anniversary party. BUT DON'T MENTION IT TO THEM. It's going to be a surprise

Jake: details to follow. We're just now beginning to plan, but earmark some free time for four months from now