Page 87 of Dream Chaser

“Used to. It’s ancient history.”

Asher and I were close, but I’d rather discuss the upcoming race than do a walk of shame down memory lane.

I wasn’t that ambitious, eager twenty-two-year-old anymore. I’d grown up. Learned my lessons. Failed and tried again until I succeeded. Most importantly, I learned to see people’s true colors fast enough not to get burned again.

He finished chewing. “I’ll email them back then. I can forward you their answer.”

“Up to you, mi niño.”

There was nothing I could do—calling Ignacio out was pointless; besides, we hadn’t talked in years.

And now I had to warn Cris in case he tried to poach other clients or my staff.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Nova

November

Kaia and I strolled down Carrer Colón, one of the most famous shopping streets in Valencia. I struggled to decide what to focus on—the modernist buildings with their stone facades, the stores, or clusters of well-dressed people on the sidewalk.

We’d been out for just an hour, and I’d taken hundreds of pictures.

“I love that black dress,” Kaia said, halting in front of a boutique’s window. “And I need something for the award ceremony. Would you mind if I try it on?”

“Not at all. I want to buy something, too.”

I could splurge on a few outfits. My office wardrobe needed an upgrade now that I’d been promoted and would be attending more meetings.

Inside, we headed for the rack of dresses. “What do you think?” Kaia held a thin-strapped black gown to her chest.

“It’ll hug your figure nicely. I love the back.”

Kaia was tall and athletic. Everything looked great on her, but the black gown was sexy and elegant—perfect for the occasion.

“All right.” She glanced around. “You should try something on, too. How about that red one?”

The dress was beautiful. Long-sleeved but backless. I didn’t know when I would wear it, but as Scarlett always said, the occasions appeared once you were ready.

I took it off the rack, then picked up a white silk blouse and a beige pencil skirt to try on as well. Kaia and I headed to the changing rooms. I stripped down to my underwear and slipped into the dress first, then twirled in front of the mirror. Perfect. Risky without being too much.

For a moment, I imagined Alejandro seeing me in it, and butterflies tickled inside my stomach. The stunning architecture and shopping had distracted me from thoughts of him, but he always lingered in the recesses of my mind.

His arms around me. The words of reassurance he whispered in my ear on the plane. His hands caressing my back for way longer than necessary.

Grinning, I tried on the rest of the clothes and left the cubicle feeling like a version of myself I loved.

A minute later, Kaia joined me, holding the black dress and a pink one. “See? I’m hopeless.” She laughed. “But the clothes here are great. We should see lingerie next.”

Nobody was going to see mine, but after paying, we stopped by a lingerie and loungewear store, and I ended up with a few lacy sets.

When we got too tired to keep walking, we sat at a window table at a traditional Valencian restaurant. I took in the white tablecloths and gleaming silverware as a smiling server set leather-bound menus on the table.

Kaia ordered white wine for us. We thanked him, and once he left, I skimmed the list of dishes, my stomach growling.

“What would you like?” Kaia asked. “I think I’ll try their paella. It sounds delicious.”

And typical of Valencia. Memories of dinner with Alejandro at Manu’s restaurant surged, and warmth spread through my chest. “It does. Same for me.”