Page 88 of Dream Chaser

When the server returned, Kaia placed our order in Spanish without missing a beat.

“I’m jealous,” I said once he left. “How long did it take you to learn Spanish so well?”

She leaned back in her chair, shrugging with a smile. “I’d have loved to order in Valencian, but I don’t speak it. I’m studying Spanish in college, and Ash and I speak it at home sometimes. I guess when we have kids, they’ll speak English and Spanish both. One day.” Kaia’s cheeks flushed. “Neither of us is ready now. Ash’s career has just taken off, and I’m still figuring things out. See, I always ramble.”

I smiled. “Ramble away. I don’t mind.”

Her eyes lit up whenever she mentioned Asher, the same way his lit up for her. At least some love stories had a happy ending.

The waiter returned and filled our glasses with white wine. “¡Salud!” Kaia clinked her goblet against mine.

The crisp, fruity taste coated my tongue with the first sip. “You’ve got excellent taste.”

She winked. “Ale has, but you already know that. I asked him what wine to order earlier today. I’m sure you’ve tried his cooking too.”

Heat swallowed my face. What the hell was wrong with me? “I have.”

Kaia cocked her head, blue eyes sliding over my face. “He always talks about you. Nova this, Nova that.”

I took another sip, my face burning hotter. As subtle as a camera flash in a dark room. “He’s my boss.”

She let out a soft giggle. “And Ash is my stepbrother. Can’t choose who you like. Well.” She hid her smile behind the glass. “Liking Ash is a bit of an understatement.”

“Just a bit?” I leaned back in my chair, nursing my drink. “He always talks about you, too. I hope he wins on Sunday. That’d be amazing.”

“Right?” Kaia said with a dreamy sigh. “It’s important to him, but not because of the title alone. It’d be a fuck you to those who underestimated him. Not that he cares about what others think.”

I’d been learning not to care since I left Millford, and I’d never been happier. “Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for him, anyway.”

The buzz of my phone rose over the soft music.

Edward.

My stomach dropped. He must’ve had an update, and it couldn’t be good. I was still convinced Preston would want to make me pay for losing the election, like he always did whenever things didn’t go his way.

“Excuse me,” I told Kaia. “I’ll take this outside if you don’t mind.”

“No problem. I’ll text Ash meanwhile.”

Once on the street, I answered. “Edward. Please tell me you’ve got good news.”

“I wish I could.” He sighed. “Preston’s lawyer got in touch. Preston claims he invested in renovations that increased your house’s market value. He’s demanding an appraisal before deciding the fair settlement amount he should receive.”

Blood pulsed in my ears, and my hands shook. “Wait,” I said as carefree pedestrians drifted past me on the sidewalk. “This is a joke, right? He did those renovations without my permission, and they weren’t even completed. The house is mine. It’s got my name on the deed.”

“I know. I’ll forward his lawyer the police report and the deed,” Edward said. “There’s something else.”

I swallowed, heart racing. “What else?”

“He also claims you committed adultery.”

A jagged laugh broke free, drawing stares from a few passersby. “He said I cheated on him?”

“That’s right,” Edward said on an exhale. “With your current boss. Again, those are baseless claims that won’t impact the divorce, especially not with a prenup in place and you not asking for anything financially. I’ll handle everything.”

My current boss. All because he saw Alejandro’s name on my phone. I should’ve known he’d use that against me too.

“Thank you, Edward,” I said past the dryness in my throat. “Please keep me updated.”