Page 47 of Unbreakable Thread

He nods, and I walk out, letting out a deep sigh. First day of school down. Now I need to get to work, and I’m already tired. I just want to curl up in bed and sleep. I rub my belly out of habit now. I need to feed us. God, I love my baby. I can’t wait until I can hold him or her. He is my reason. Maybe it’s a he.

My palms dampen against the steering wheel. I rush to get out of the car and slam my car door shut, my gaze fixed on him as he exits the café. My heart races like a teen seeing her crush. He moves with that slight swagger—shoulders squared, chin up—the way he always does when he’s wearing those jeans that hug just right at the thigh and his collared shirt snug on the sleeves, revealing his hard muscle, sweat beads across his forehead under the relentless sun. His shades are on, and he looks sexy. He stops when he sees me. He removes his shades. I’m grateful for that. Now I can see his green eyes staring back at me. His lips turn into a full-blown smile. “Sunshine.”

I return the heart-warming smile. “Hi…”

His gaze over my body flusters me. My cheeks heat, not from the sun, but from his longing, searing gaze. “Tú…” He wets his lips. “Eres muy bonita.” He takes a step and he’s so close, I look up at him when his thumb brushes my cheek. “You take my breath away, amor.”

I hold on to every word. I can’t move or speak. His thumb brushes on my skin, and the entire world stops.

“You look good.” He laughs. “Really good.”

I push the words out of my mouth. “You look good.” He looks happy. Not like he’s lost an ounce of sleep. “Um. What are you doing here?”

He raises a brow. “Am I not allowed to come by?”

“Of course you can.”

“I came on my lunch break. I was hungry.”

Something pulls in my chest. Just maybe I wanted him to say I came to see you. But I know I shouldn’t assume. I parted ways. “Oh.” We stay silent for a couple of seconds. Then I remember. “Did you pay for my tuition?”

“I did. Didn’t I tell you I would?”

I nod. “I’ll pay you back…”

“Don’t, Sol.” His jaw clenches. “I want to put you through school. It’s paid for the semester, and I’ll continue paying until you are done.” His jaw relaxes when my eyes widen at his rough voice. Max sighs. “I…I just want to be the one. I told you from the beginning.” He points to himself and me. “It doesn’t change because of us.”

I understand he wants to pay for my schooling, but it just feels strange for him to do so with what happened between us. I don’t want him to feel used. Car horns blare beside us. Once the cars pass, I say, “Thank you.”

A man and his son wave at Max. “Hey, Cano.”

Max waves back.

“I thought it was you, bro. Do you mind if we take a picture and get your autograph?”

The man’s son looks to be about four years old. He’s adorable. Max appears a little sheepish, but doesn’t turn them away. He bends to the boy’s height and pinches his cheek. Max with kids has my insides melting every time. The boy gives him a fist bump, and they both laugh.

He signs a paper in his hand, then the man peers my way. “Can you take our photo?”

Max gives me a look as if to say, You don’t have to. Of course I’m going to. They’re his fans, and he deserves the attention he’s getting.

“Sure.” I grin, taking the phone from the man. He lifts his son into his arms. They flex their arms into a boxing stance. “Perfect,” I praise, taking a couple of more photos. That way, they can have more to choose from.

“That’s been happening a lot lately.” Max scratches his stubbled cheek nervously.

I watch as the father and son get into their car and drive off. “You’ll get the hang of it.” This is all new to him. He’s never been the type of man who seeks attention. And definitely not a people person.

We both hold each other’s gaze. There is so much I want to say and ask. Like, are you eating okay? How have you been? How’s boxing? What’s the news on your upcoming fight? A gust of desert heat disturbs the air between us. One of my curls escapes, dancing across my face. His fingers twitch upward, hover for a heartbeat, then retreat. I open my mouth to ask if we can meet to talk, but his phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket and looks at the screen. I can see the name, Bob.

“Can you give me a second? I need to answer this.”

I nod.

“Hey, Bob.” He’s listening on the other end. He nods. “Yeah, damn. Sorry. I’ll be there in ten minutes. I need to call Leo to cancel my meetings.” He runs his fingers through his hair. Clearly frustrated. “Got it. See you.” Max ends the call, shoving the phone back into his jeans pocket.

“You’re an important man.” I smile at him.

His lips curl into a smile. “I’m always on the go.” He sighs, just staring at me like he’s getting one last look. “I better go.”