Page 109 of Dream Chaser

“Well, thank you for the offer. Like I said, I’m not looking for anything, and I’m sure that won’t change anytime soon.”

Bold of him to offer. Even bolder to assume I’d run to Alejandro’s competitor.

His chuckle sent awareness rippling through me. There was something about him—something I couldn’t quite understand—that made me wary despite his smiles and politeness.

“Smart and gorgeous,” he said, raking his eyes over me in a slow appraisal. “Alejandrito is lucky. In more ways than one.”

The overhead lights dimmed. A blue glow lit the stage. “Excuse me,” I said, plastering a polite smile onto my face. “The ceremony’s about to start.”

“Of course.” Ignacio patted my forearm like I was an old acquaintance. “Go work, Nova.”

One last smile, one more look, and he retreated into the thick of the crowd. In my peripheral vision, I saw him greet suit-clad men and shake hands. Alejandro wasn’t in his seat yet. What would he think if he found out about Ignacio’s offer?

A hush descended over the hall. The host of the award ceremony climbed the stage.

My eyes met Asher’s. A timid smile crossed his face, and I raised my phone, zooming in on him and Kaia.

He tapped her shoulder, and both of them waved at me, grinning.

I took the first picture of them together. For them, that one might be just as important as Asher’s photos with the World Champion trophy.

***

The following day, Alejandro and I flew to Madrid. He had meetings in his Spanish office he needed to attend in person. Then we’d fly back to Emerport. Back to the divorce, the worries. Back to being a boss and an employee.

The Madrid office of Guerrero Sports Agency was airy and sleek—white furniture, glass doors, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Madrid’s business district.

As we entered, the girl at the reception desk greeted us with a smile. More grins and hugs from employees followed.

“Everyone, this is Nova,” Alejandro said. “My marketing manager in the US office.”

A chorus of excited voices greeted me, then Alejandro touched my shoulder gently. “I need to discuss a few things with Cris, then I’ll introduce you two properly. Wait for me? We have coffee.” He looked at a dark-haired guy around my age. “Pedro, un café para Nova, por favor.” A coffee for Nova, please.

“Sí, jefe.” Yes, boss.

He nodded. “Gracias. Luego hablamos.” Thanks, we’ll talk later.

As Pedro motioned toward a sitting area with white leather couches and a potted ficus, a boy no older than eight burst into the room.

“Ale!”

Alejandro’s lips stretched in a wide grin. He crouched down and the boy barreled into Alejandro’s open arms, his laughter tinkling in the room.

Then he said something in Spanish, clinging to Alejandro’s neck.

My heart beat in my throat. Did I imagine the matching color of their eyes? Even the haircut looked similar.

I bit the inside of my bottom lip. No. Impossible. Alejandro wouldn’t keep a child secret. He would’ve told me he had a son.

But then again, he hadn’t told me about Ignacio Espinosa, either.

“Ale.” A soft, melodic voice carried across the space. Cris walked over, stylish in a beige sheath dress, her heels clicking on the marble. If I wore that color, it’d blend with my pale skin. Hers was slightly tanned, like Alejandro’s.

And the boy’s, who now clung to Cris’s legs.

“Vamos, cariño,” she said, patting his back. Then the three of them headed for one of the offices behind a frosted glass door. The boy chirped and tugged at Alejandro’s sleeve. Cris smiled at Alejandro the same way she had in Barcelona.

Like she knew him well. Like they shared a secret. Like they weren’t just colleagues.