Page 13 of Yours, Finally

Javier: we'll make it work

Max: absolutely, we'll be there. We can help too

Gabe: you mean "we" as in you and Eva, right? Because your "fake" totally not fake wife is invited, too, of course

Jake: it was so obvious when you and Eva went to the lake house for Dieciocho

Javier: I knew it when I saw them for Max's birthday

Max: go on, bug me all you like. I don't mind. I live in wedded bliss, nothing can touch me

Gabe: it's okay. Javi and Jake will get their act together and catch up one of these days. They're allowed to be jealous

Javier: I'm not jealous. I'm happy being single. Not looking for anything, so you can leave me out of it

Max: oh, how I'm going to enjoy teasing you when it's your turn. You too, Jake. I know you're reading this and wondering if we'll make fun of you, too, and the answer is yes

Jake: eh, you can also leave me out of it, thanks

Gabe: we all know that's unlikely

Jake: good thing I love you all because sometimes I don't like you as much

Max: you love us too much to not like us <3

Sometimes I wondered if they all knew I harbored big feelings for Vi.

I liked to think they didn't, but sometimes the signs suggested I was wrong…

Chapter 5

Vi

The Sotomayor executive floorboasted a small gym for us to use. Alone there that morning, I put all of my doubts and frustrations onto the treadmill. A faster pace and a higher inclination had my heart working hard enough to please my mood.

It had been a few days since my dad and brother had announced the plan changes. To think that Jake would be at my same level within a couple of months fueled my strides. When I believed the transition plan would take at least another year, it was easier to decide against waiting for him. Knowing it would only be a couple of months, it got a bit harder.

Harder still, when Jake himself entered the gym wearing athletic clothes and looking huge and amazing. I gazed at himthrough the mirror in front of me while I kept my pace on the treadmill. He stilled by the door, his eyes meeting mine in our reflection.

If he stayed, he broke the unspoken rule of not spending time alone together. If he left without a good excuse, well, that would make him rude. And we needed to get used to spending more time together, anyway, since we were paired up for party planning.

A teasing smile appeared on my lips. Jake wasn't a rude guy, and I was sure he'd reached the same conclusions. I knew he would stay even before he closed the door behind him.

He gave me a nod hello. "I didn't know you would be here. Do you mind if I join you?"

"I don't mind," I panted. "Go right ahead."

He nodded again, dropped his gym bag on the floor, and hung his suit bag from the hook on the wall next to my own set; he found a spot on the big exercise mat to warm up.

The gym was relatively small. Only two treadmills, one rowing machine, a yoga ball and other mobility aids, and a bunch of different weight and strength training implements filled the room. A big window shone light on us from one side and, at the other, two doors led to two private showers.

My ponytail swung wide from side to side in the mirror occupying the front wall, and I tried to focus on that rather than on Jake. Only five minutes left of my run; I could do it.

I couldn't. My gaze kept on finding Jake on the reflection, following his movements, and tracing the lines of him with my sight. His wide shoulders and thick arms; his lineman physique. The clothes that showcased the large, soft shape of him. Unhidden, just like I preferred for myself, too. I liked the idea of us, two confident big people, exercising together. Doing many different types of cardio.

The treadmill beeped the end of the active portion, announcing the cool down period. I adjusted my pace to the new speed, and used the opportunity to bring down the heat at every level. My muscles needed to settle, but so did my heart. Even if the new transition plan meant I wouldn't have to wait for more than a year to have answers, it didn't mean things had changed in my favor.

I grabbed the towel hanging from the treadmill's arm and dried the sweat off my neck. My breathing still ran fast, even though my walk slowed down faster. Soon it would be time to stretch.