Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Esteban
Ican honestly say that I’ve been nervous all day.
In just a few hours, we’ll have our first dinner with Mr. McNeal—a.k.a.
: the man who could change everything for our company.
He mentioned he’d be bringing his wife. Apparently, he has been showing her around Honey Springs and the area where the resort is going to be built.
I swing by the office before heading home to get ready.
Payton’s at her desk, lost in her work as usual, music blaring from those oversized headphones she loves.
She’s been a godsend to us—organized, sharp, efficient.
She’s the kind of person who keeps things running while Noah and I are knee-deep in sawdust and drywall.
I’ve known her most of my life, and she’s Eva’s best friend, but where Eva is all dark hair, green eyes, and soft edges, Payton’s a total contrast. Blonde hair, blue eyes, sharper around the edges.
Still, I’ve never seen her as anything but a little sister type.
Which is probably for the best because she’s got a scary accurate read on me and has no problem calling me out.
Once I check that the crew’s good on the site and everything’s still on track, I walk into Noah’s office. He’s at his desk, phone in hand, eyebrows drawn together like he’s working out some architectural detail in his head.
“You got a minute?” I ask.
He glances up. “Yeah. What’s up?”
I sit down across from him and lean back, trying to play it cool. “Just want to make sure we’re on the same page for tonight. Dinner with McNeal and his wife, it’s a big deal.”
Noah sets the phone down and narrows his eyes. “You talked to Eva yet? Got your story straight?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “We’ve talked. Actually…” I hesitate before adding, “We’ve had dinner a couple of times. Just to make sure we look legit.”
His jaw tightens. “Dinner? Twice?”
I roll my eyes. “Relax. It was just food and some skincare talk. She brought a whole bag of stuff, a ring light, and recorded half of it. It was all for her social media, man.”
Noah still looks unconvinced. “Just remember, don’t touch my sister.”
My hands ball into fists on the armrests. “Are you serious right now?”
“I know you, Esteban,” he says, crossing his arms like a stubborn dad in a teen movie. “You flirt without trying. I’m just making sure you’re not gonna lead her on or do anything. You’re not a long term guy.”
“Dude,” I cut him off, irritated. “Nothing is going to happen. And for the record, your sister is an adult woman. It’s not like you can stop her from doing whatever she wants.
” He scowls, but I keep going. “I’m not starting anything.
I respect her. And I respect you. But you acting like I’m the worst guy in the world, or that I’m not good enough is getting old. ”
He’s silent for a moment before he sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “I’m not trying to be a jerk. I just… I’ve seen how you are with women, and this is my little sister. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
I shake my head. “I’m not going to hurt her. And I told you, I’m not gonna start anything. We’re just putting on a show for McNeal. That’s it.” Even if that wasn’t all I wanted it to be.
Noah doesn’t respond right away, but his posture relaxes a little. “Fine. Just keep it professional.”
I nod. “Got it.”
But as I stand up and walk out of his office, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
My fake girl: I’ll see you tonight. Let me know what time you want me ready.
My heart does this annoying skip thing, and I have to bite back a smile. Professional. Sure. Totally.
Me: I’ll pick you up at 6:00.
My fake girl: See you soon, fiancée.
When I pull up to Eva’s apartment, I give myself one last look in the rearview mirror and sigh.
The door swings open, and there she is, long sleeves dress, boots, soft waves falling around her face like she just walked out of a shampoo commercial.
My brain short-circuits for a second. Her dress hugs her body just enough to drive me insane without being obvious, and I swear I forget how to breathe for a full ten seconds.
“Hey,” she says with a soft smile, adjusting her purse on her shoulder.
Play it cool, Esteban. Don’t be a dumbass.
“Hey,” I manage to say, hoping to God my voice doesn’t crack like a nervous teen. “You look... Wow.”
Her cheeks pink up just a little, and she gives me a twirl before locking the door. “Thanks. You clean up nice too.”
Glancing down at my clothes, I smile. I decided to wear black pants and a light green, long-sleeved button-up shirt. My hair’s styled today, and my beard is perfectly trimmed.
“Thank you, Ross. I guess we make a pretty good fake couple.”
I open the passenger door for her because, despite what Noah thinks, I was raised right. And because if I don’t do something with my hands, I might do something stupid like brush her hair back to kiss her.
We pull onto the road, and I queue up some music to fill the silence and calm my thoughts. A reggaetón playlist comes on—Bad Bunny, a little Rauw Alejandro, the good stuff.
Eva perks up. “Oh, I think I remember you speak Spanish, right?”
I glance at her and smirk. “Claro que sí. I grew up speaking it.”
“Do you go to Puerto Rico often?”
“Every summer if I can swing it. My parents and I usually make it out for at least a couple weeks. All our family’s still there: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. It’s always a full house. I spend most of the trip eating too much and baking under the sun.”
She laughs. “Sounds like heaven.”
“It is,” I say. “Beaches, good food, family. It’s loud and chaotic and perfect.”
“I took Spanish in high school,” she says proudly. “And a bit in college. So I know some stuff.”
I chuckle. “Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Hmm... ?Dónde está el bano?” she says with a dramatic flourish.
I laugh. “That one’s always a classic.”
She lifts a brow. “Say something to me. Something in Spanish.”
Dangerous game, Ross.
But I can’t help myself. I lean back in my seat and let the words roll off my tongue, “?Sabes que eres hermosa y que no puedo sacarte de mi cabeza?”
She blinks, then bursts out laughing. “Okay, I only caught like... two words. Cabeza means head, right?”
“Yes.” I nod, fighting a grin.
“What did you say?” she asks, narrowing her eyes at me.
“Nothing important.”
“Come on, tell me!”
“Nope,” I say, keeping my eyes on the road. “You gotta earn that translation.”
No way I’m telling her I just said she’s beautiful and that I can’t get her out of my head.
She groans and laughs at the same time. “Ugh, you’re the worst.”
“Some might say I’m the best at being the worst.”
The banter is easy. Too easy. And as we pull into the restaurant’s parking lot, I realize I’m already forgetting the whole point of tonight.
Focus, Esteban. This is business.
The restaurant is classier than the bistro, white tablecloths, valet parking, the whole nine yards. We’re early, which is perfect.
I lead Eva inside, and they seat us at a table near the back.
A few minutes later, Noah and Josy walk in.
Josy heads straight for Eva with a big smile and wraps her in a hug.
Noah, on the other hand, walks over to me like a cop ready to interrogate someone.
He gives Eva a kiss on the cheek and says hello before sitting beside me, his eyes sharp.
Great. Can’t wait for the overprotective big brother vibes tonight.
But for now, I take a deep breath, let myself glance at Eva one more time and remind myself that this is all pretend.
Eva and Josy stand and head to the restroom, leaving Noah and me at the table.
“Dude, I hope all this goes well,” Noah mutters, keeping his voice low. “Josy’s confident we’ll land the contract, but I still have my doubts. I don’t know if he’s talking to anyone else.”
“I know.” I nod. “Eva and I are ready. We came up with a solid backstory, and if McNeal asks questions, we’ll stick to it. I just need you to go with the flow. No murder eyes, okay?”
Noah exhales slowly. “Okay. I’ll do my best to remember this thing with you and my sister is fake. But please, don’t test me.”
I chuckle. And just for that, I’m totally going to mess with his head. He acts like Eva’s a fragile little girl and I’m the big bad wolf, ready to pounce.
When the girls return from the restroom, Eva sits to my right while Noah is on my left, with Josy next to him. That leaves two empty seats directly across from us. Within minutes, Mr. McNeal walks in with his wife.
She looks to be in her early fifties—petite, with a sleek bob of blond hair, dressed in a fitted black dress and classic heels. They make a sharp couple, polished but approachable. Noah and I both stand to greet them.
“Good evening. It’s so nice to see you, and with your lovely ladies,” Mr. McNeal says as he gestures to his wife. “Let me introduce you to my wonderful wife.” He turns to her with one hand resting gently on the small of her back. “This is Melissa McNeal. Melissa, this is Noah and Esteban.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. McNeal,” I say, extending a hand for a shake. She smiles warmly and returns it.
Noah does the same, and then nods toward Josy. “This is my wife, Josy.”
Josy offers a friendly smile, and then it’s my turn.
“This lovely lady here is my fiancée, Eva,” I say, glancing at her with what I hope looks like genuine affection.
Eva beams at the couple, giving a polite wave. “It’s lovely to meet you both.”
Melissa smiles back at her, clearly charmed. “Likewise.”
Once we’re all seated again, the waiter returns to take their drink orders.
The conversation flows easily for the first half of dinner.
Mr. McNeal seems genuinely interested in the project, asking smart questions about infrastructure, local zoning, and material sourcing.
Noah handles most of it like the badass he is, and I fill in with logistics and timeline estimates.
Everything is going smooth, too smooth. Which means, of course, that the curveball is coming.
And it does.
“So,” Mr. McNeal says, leaning back in his chair with his wine glass in hand, “how did you two meet?” Thankfully he ask Noah and Josy first.
Eva stiffens just slightly beside me. I catch it before anyone else can. This is the moment we rehearsed, but now that it’s here, it feels more real than either of us expected.
I lean in, close enough for my lips to graze her ear. “Follow my lead,” I whisper, pressing a gentile kiss to her cheek.
It’s meant to look natural. Just a sweet, casual gesture between two people in love.
But it does something to me.
Her skin is soft, warm, and she smells like heaven; vanilla and something else I can’t quite name, something softer, feminine, and addictive. I want to linger, but I pull back before I ruin everything.
I don’t miss Noah’s reaction. He’s beside me, watching with narrowed eyes and flaring nostrils like he’s about to lunge and hit me in the face. But to his credit, he doesn’t say anything, and I almost smirk.
When it’s our turn to talk, I clear my throat and start, doing my best to sound natural.
“I’ve known Eva since she was a little girl,” I say with a grin.
“She’s Noah’s sister, so I grew up seeing her around the house every time I visited or at any family event.
But I wasn’t interested in her back then.
She was just the kid sister, you know? But one summer, she came back from college, and once I laid eyes on her… I knew I was done for.”
Eva glances at me with a soft smile, and I continue, this time letting a bit more of the truth slip through.
“She looked so different. Grown. Beautiful. And I couldn’t help myself—I fell. And I fell hard. We started a long-distance relationship while she finished school, and when she moved back, it just felt right.”
I turn to look at her fully, letting the smile on my face linger a little longer than necessary.
I know I just said what we agreed on... but somehow, it feels like I just confessed something real.
Because part of it is real. I didn’t grow up loving her, but the second I saw her again last week, I knew she was going to be trouble.
I’ve been a good friend. I’ve kept my hands to myself. But with every interaction, every smile, every little laugh, I want more from her.
A lot more.
Mr. McNeal chuckles and lifts his wine glass. “You two look good together. So, wedding plans?”
Eva doesn’t miss a beat. “I think I would love to have a destination wedding. Esteban is from Puerto Rico, and I’ve always imagined getting married on the beach there.”
Mrs. McNeal lights up. “Oh, that sounds wonderful. Sunsets, sand, and love. Doesn’t get more romantic than that.”
“Exactly,” Eva says, reaching for my hand and lacing her fingers with mine. Her thumb brushes against my knuckles, and I wonder if she even realizes she’s doing it.
I glance at her and smile, and for a moment, I almost forget we’re pretending.
Almost.
But this is the job. This is what we came to do. So I lean into it.
“Puerto Rico is beautiful,” I say. “My whole family lives there—grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles. It’s like a second home. Getting married there would mean a lot.”
I feel her fingers tighten slightly around mine, and I squeeze back, just enough to play the part.
Because that’s all this is.
Right?