Chapter 14
Diego
My heart sinks heavily in my chest.
I scratch the back of my head, trying to piece together everything we did yesterday—the laughter, the dancing, the way she looked at me like I was her whole world. It felt perfect. We were perfect.
So why did she leave?
That’s when I see it—a single note resting on top of the couch.
Diego,
I had the best time during a usually tough time for me and it was all because of you.
Unfortunately, I broke the one rule we promised not to break.
I fell for you.
I know you have to head to Chile for business, so I decided not to stay and make the last time I see you an awkward goodbye.
Thank you for an amazing week.
Mia
“What the actual fuck!” I roar into the silence of my empty suite, the sound echoing off the walls. I re-read her note again, the words blurring together.
How can Mia be so obtuse as not to see that I also broke that stupid rule too?
Without wasting another second, I call the front desk. ”Is Mia Martinez still checked in?”
The pause on the other end is short but feels like a knife twist.
“She checked out two hours ago, sir.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I hang up immediately and dial her number. Straight to voice mail.
“Shit.”
I try again, this time calling the bungalow, praying Carly answers.
“Hey, Carly. It’s Diego. Where did Mia go?” I ask hurriedly as I tug on shorts and a polo shirt.
“Good morning, Diego. Merry Christmas,” Carly says in a sugary tone that grates on my nerves. It takes everything in me not to lash out at her.
“Carly, I need to know where she is. Please.” I’m not above begging to find her.
“She left for the airport,” Carly says quietly. “I tried to convince her to stay for the last two days of our trip, but she said she couldn’t stay here anymore.”
“So she went to the airport?” I ask, pressing my fingers to the bridge of my nose, trying to come up with a plan to intercept her.
“Yeah, she found a flight to Raleigh. She’s boarding soon, I think.”
I hang up without saying thanks—something that might’ve made me feel guilty any other day, but not now. I’ll apologize later. Right now, I need to get to Mia.
Rushing to the elevator, I call the pilot to prepare the plane. Then I dial my secretary in Boston. After begging her to contact the Santo Domingo airport, I give her one order: ground Mia’s plane. At any cost.
By the time I reach the car, adrenaline has fully taken over. I drive like a man possessed—like an F1 driver chasing poll position—barely noticing the scenery flashing by.
My secretary assured me Mia was still in Santo Domingo, but I can’t breathe until I have her in my arms again.
When I burst into the terminal, I sprint like a madman to the airline counter, my pulse hammering in my ears. Before I can even open my mouth to ask for help, the flight board flashes: RALEIGH - DEPARTED.
I close my eyes, inhaling through my nose, my jaw tight.
I was thinking about giving my secretary a raise for helping me today. Not anymore. She lied. What the fuck is wrong with people?
Fine. If I have to fly to Raleigh—or that tiny town Mia calls home—before heading to Chile, then I will. Consequences be damned.
“Diego?”
The sound of her voice cuts through the noise around me.
No. It can’t be. I must be hallucinating.
I squeeze my eyes shut, afraid to look. Afraid she’ll vanish.
“Diego, what are you doing here?” The voice comes again, closer now, warm and real. A soft hand lands on my shoulder.
I turn.
And there she is—the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Mia.” I breathe her name, savoring the way it feels leaving my mouth.
Without thinking, I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her off the floor. She yelps in surprise, then laughs, that brilliant smile lighting up her whole face.
“I broke the rule too, Mia,” I say, my voice rough with emotion.
Her eyes widen, disbelief flickering through them.
“Why is that so hard to believe?” I whisper. “I’m in love with you, Mia Martínez.”
My lips find hers, and she melts against me, her body sagging with relief.
I kiss her slowly, trying to show her everything I feel and hoping like hell she’ll believe me.
“But I thought you had to go to Chile?” she asks once we finally come up for air.
“Well, yes,” I admit with a grin. “But that doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that I love you and want to spend the rest of my days with you.”
“What?” she practically squeaks.
“Yes, I do,” I say, starting to feel a little nervous. “Don’t you want to be with me? Did I completely misread the situation—am I making a fool of myself right now?”
Her expression softens immediately. She cradles my cheek with her small hand, her eyes glistening. “Oh, no. I’m sorry. I’m the one screwing this up,” she says, voice trembling. “There’s nothing I want more than to be with you. I just thought… I wouldn’t fit into your plan.”
I take her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “That’s on me, baby. I should’ve shared my plans last night, but…” I trail off, flashing her a smirk.
“Yeah, yeah,” she says, rolling her eyes with a grin. “Men and their one-track minds.”
I chuckle and steal another kiss. “Can you blame me? Have you met my girlfriend? She’s the hottest woman on Earth.”
She laughs, the sound is like music, and kisses me again.
“Okay,” I say, pulling back just enough to look at her. “We have a plane to catch. Let’s go.”
Mia frowns, though a smile tugs at her lips. “What do you mean, plane?”
“Yes, baby,” I say, taking her hand and guiding her toward the private hangar. “We’re going to Chile. I need to close this deal—and then I need to ring in the new year with you.”
Her fingers tighten around mine as we approach security. “I’m looking forward to this new, exciting life with you Diego.”
“Me too, bonita,” I whisper, squeezing her hand. “Me too.”
And right there, in the middle of a crowded airport, I know it with absolute certainty—breaking the no-falling rule was the best decision I’ve ever made.
Because a lifetime of chasing sunsets with Mia Martínez is worth more than all the money in the world.