Page 162 of Dream Chaser

I froze. “Wait…you’re—”

“Finally free.”

I wrapped her in my arms, stroking her back. “Finally, amor.”

“I still can’t believe it.” She blinked back tears, looking upward as she sniffled. “God, I’m a mess. I thought it’d never happen. I was rehearsing what I’d say in court. But Edward just called to tell me it’s done.”

Late, but better than never.

I clinked my glass against hers. “To Nova Lockhart and her bright future.”

She took a sip, eyes still glassy, then set the whiskey down and cupped my face. “Thank you.” She leaned her forehead against mine. “For being patient and being mine. I love you, Ale.”

My chest suddenly felt too tight for my lungs. I cupped the back of Nova’s neck and pulled her into me. “I love you too, amor,” I said in her ear, lips grazing her skin. “And I’d wait for however long it took.”

“I know.” Nova’s mouth brushed mine. “And I love you even more for that.”

I gave her another kiss—soft, slow, lingering.

The past didn’t matter anymore. The only thing filling my mind were images of a future together.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Nova

March

Spain

Alejandro’s family had treated me as their own from the minute I stepped into his parents’ house. The language barrier kept me from telling them everything I wanted, but Fernando, Alejandro’s brother, spoke English, and Alejandro translated for his parents.

“I need to learn Spanish,” I told Fernando in the kitchen while he cut some bread and put the pieces on a plate.

He chuckled. “Maybe not. Then mamá y papá would grill you instead of the steaks.”

I smiled. “They seem nice.”

“They are.” He winked. “But I’m off the hook because I’m married with a kid. Ale has to put up with meddling.”

“Yeah, that’s relatable.” My mother appeared in my mind, and a familiar pang pierced my chest. It’d been months since we talked. Apparently, I only mattered when I was married to Preston and lived the life she approved of.

Fernando stopped cutting and raised a brow. “Tu cara. Your face. ¿Qué pasa?”

I shrugged. “Nothing. Just thought about my own mother. Things are complicated.”

He curled his hand around my shoulder. “Then don’t think. Let’s go save Ale. They must be already choosing the names for your future kids.”

Heat swathed my face. I’d always wanted a family, but on my terms—when I chose to have it and after I’d reached my other goals. Was that what Ale wanted too? We’d never talked about it. Now that I was free, maybe it was a good time to bring that up.

I followed Fernando to the garden. Smoke drifted through the air, mingling with the aroma of meat and herbs. A grill crackled softly, charcoal glowing beneath the metal grate. Alejandro flipped steaks over, laughing at something his dad had said.

“Nova,” his mom called. “Ven, cariño, siéntate aquí.”

“Go sit,” Fernando whispered next to me, handing me the bread. “And good luck.”

Lucía, his wife, chuckled as their daughter Clara snatched the biggest piece of bread from the plate I’d set on the table. “Clara!”

She bit off a chunk, watching me with her big, round brown eyes framed by long lashes. Then she left the bread on the plate, slid off her mother’s lap, and ran toward the grill.