CHAPTER 29
Valentina
M y cheeks ache from the relentless smile as I stand among the crowd in the gym.
“Today marks a significant milestone in your journey, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.” Jason’s gaze sweeps over the students who fill the first five rows of folding chairs. “When I look at all of you, I see a room full of future leaders. You are at the beginning of a journey that will shape who you become, so the choices you make now set the foundation for your future.”
He shares stories of triumph from his own life. “Each story is unique, just like each of you. Your journey will be full of ups and downs, doubts and joys. Embrace them all. They make life rich and meaningful.” His gaze finds me in the back row. His voice falters as he adjusts the tie I picked out for him, paired perfectly with his blue button-down.
I pivot my head to the side. Clearly, he’s distracted by me.
“Ahem...” He clears his throat. “I’d like to leave you with some advice I’ve learned along the way. Use your voice. Communication is a powerful tool to help you make a difference in the world.”
His eyes meet mine again, locking in a moment of silent conversation. Butterflies flap in my stomach.
He then encourages the students to stay curious, embrace challenges, follow their dreams, and always be kind. “Build others up, and you, too, will rise.”
The applause erupts, breaking through his last words. I join in as the urge to shout my admiration from the rooftops spirals. He could have been spending his day with his buddies or children, but he’s sacrificing his time here, impacting young lives.
“Last but not least, remember success is not a destination but a journey. It’s not about the awards or the titles, but the impact you make and the person you become along the way. Congratulations, class!”
Thunderous clapping erupts, and I stand with others. I don’t stop clapping until I sit, blinking when he appears to sit next to me after the woman who had been there scoots over to an empty chair.
“Did you just swap chairs?” I whisper into his ears.
“What were you expecting when you left me on the front row with a bunch of strangers?” His hand slides around my waist, resting on my lower back, and awareness courses through me.
“Your speech was incredible.”
“You were distracting.”
The high-achieving student steps up for his speech. It’s Hugo, one of my ESL students.
“Ladies and gentlemen, teachers, friends, and family”—his English is clearer than I’ve ever heard it—“coming as an immigrant from Nicaragua and learning a different culture and a new language has been challenging, yet rewarding.”
As his words flow, I can’t help but swell with pride.
He expresses gratitude toward his teachers for their patience and to his parents for their unwavering support through endless homework nights. “I wouldn’t be giving this speech today if it weren’t for my English tutor, Miss Valentina Diaz, seated toward the back.”
My cheeks heat as heads turn. Jason pulls me close and kisses the top of my head while applause breaks out.
“There were moments of doubt, fear, and frustration. But these trials have taught me the importance of hard work. Like Ms. Diaz would say, ‘Challenges are not obstacles, rather they are opportunities to grow.’ Every time my family stumbled, we found a way to stand back up. Each failure was a lesson, pushing us to become better versions of ourselves. Ms. Diaz encouraged my family to, ‘Begin each day with a grateful heart and thank God for the good things He has done, rather than focus on what you don’t have.’ Which is something to remember because God is the giver of every good and perfect gift.”
Jason squeezes my shoulder, grounding me in this moment of shared triumph. I hadn’t even known I’d passed that advice on to some of my students.
Hugo spreads his hands to encompass his fellow students. “As we move forward into high school and beyond, let us also remember what Mr. Sterling said in his speech. Success is a journey, and it’s about the impact you make and the person you become along the way. Each curve on the road brings you closer to knowing who you are and where you’re trying to go.”
After the speeches comes a whirl of greetings and congratulations. I float among familiar faces—teachers and families of both past and present ESL students. With each introduction, I announce Jason as my boyfriend, delighting in their praise for his stirring speech. When I catch up with Hugo and his family, they reiterate their invitation for me to join their celebration next Saturday. Then I spot Leah’s husband, Malcolm, and I introduce Jason.
Malcolm offers a hearty handshake. “Leah has told me a lot about you.”
“I hope it’s all good things.” Jason’s gaze flicks to me before the two discuss Jason’s speech and their conversation flows to other topics.
I scan the crowd for Leah and find her smiling while pausing for a photo with a student. Once she’s free, she waves, and I gesture her over despite students awaiting their turn with her.
“Sorry, we have to get to the kids.” I apologize as I hug her. “Carlos and Anna took the kids to his buddy’s print shop for a T-shirt-making session, but we’re supposed to meet at Mami’s for lunch.” My brother and mother are getting their much-needed kid fix with Jason’s kids lately.
“I need to thank Jason for coming and giving the speech.” Leah’s eyes light up beneath the gym lights. She pivots, acknowledging the students and parents signaling for a photo.
“You’ll have time to thank him later.” I nudge her toward her awaiting fans. But Leah leans in, her breath warm against my ear. “He couldn’t keep his eyes off you during his speech. He even ditched his original seat at the front. Couldn’t wait for another fifteen minutes to get to you?”
My insides warm, but I only laugh and nudge her again. “You’d better get back to your students.”
She gives me a knowing look and rejoins the group. Leah knew about that initial kiss with my boss and our decision to stay professional afterward. I updated her on how things have changed.
Jason and I step out of the auditorium, hand in hand, and midafternoon light hits me with blue skies. He halts to face me. His blue eyes peer at me before he lifts our hands and his lips warm scant butterfly-like kisses on each of my fingers, making my knees weak.
“There’s been a change in plans.” His words kiss my fingertips. “Your family has agreed to watch the kids for the rest of the day. I’d love to spend the afternoon with you. I don’t care what we do, but if it’s okay—”
“Yes, Jason.” My smile spreads as visions of a day together dance through my mind. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I just want to stroll through the streets holding hands and lose ourselves in conversation. “I enjoy spending time with you too, so yes to anything or nothing as long as I’m with you.”
He wraps his arms around me, and I slide my hands around his waist, savoring his warmth, his chest rising and falling against mine. Had he thought I might refuse? Him giving up an afternoon with his kids to spend time with me, speaks volumes of how he thinks of me.
Spontaneity has never been my strong suit, and Jason typically prefers everything planned due to the demands of his job. As we wander through Manhattan, we stumble upon an art exhibit and then enjoy a leisurely boat ride in Central Park. Each moment unfolds unplanned but perfectly aligned.
My stomach growls, a reminder of our missed meal as we step into a chic restaurant where Jason made reservations earlier. “Let’s get you fed.”
The hostess greets us, and he gives his name for the reservation. She scrolls through her tablet, pausing with a flustered expression. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Sterling. Your table isn’t ready for another hour.”
“What? Why?” we inquire in unison.
“Your reservation is for seven, and you’re an hour early.”
“I was sure I said six,” he mutters.
“I’ll see what I can do, but...” She gestures at the bustling dining room.
Jason’s brows dip, but then he bolsters up a resilient smile. “How about we do something different? Does pizza sound good?”
I can’t help but smile, relieved and charmed. “Pizza is perfect.”
“And you love picnics,” he adds as we step back onto the sidewalk, the daylight beginning to fade.
“A picnic this late?” I laugh. Talk about spontaneity!
“Who says it’s ever too late to do anything in New York City?”
Almost forty minutes later, we find ourselves atop the Family Sphere building, enveloped in the evening breeze and seated on a thick blanket. The city lights cast a magical glow over the buildings. A box of classic New York-style pizza separates us, and the scene feels almost surreal. I’m cocooned in one of Jason’s coats, which he grabbed along with the blanket from his office, and it’s a physical extension of his warmth.
I pray for our food, and we pry slices free from the pie, cheesy strings still clinging to each other. We reminisce about the day’s adventures, laugh at our quirks, and delve into our favorite books— mine, The Chronicles of Narnia, his, The Lord of the Rings .
“Can you believe I never read those books?” I admit as I take another bite of my pizza.
“Don’t tell me you watched the movies instead of reading the books?” He chuckles, pointing his half-eaten slice at me as if waiting for my confession.
“Unfortunately, it’s true.” I loop an errant string of cheese from my slice.
His dramatic groan sends me into laughter. “The books and the movie are very, very different.”
“Then I’ll read them if ”—I hold up a greasy finger—“you’ll join me for a movie binge afterward.”
As our laughter fades, the conversation shifts to the graduation ceremony. “The kid was good.” Jason swallows. “Something he said really resonated with me.”
“How so?” I wipe my mouth.
“God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Apparently, also something Ms. Diaz taught me and my kids, something about thanking God for the good things He’s done rather than focusing on what we don’t have.”
Admitting my struggles, I share how my faith wavered during my time with Austin. “Until recently. Being with your family has helped realign my spiritual path.” I’m grateful for the weight of my journey and the peace it’s brought me.
Jason sets his slice down, his gaze through dim lights intensifying. “If I haven’t thanked God for bringing you into our lives, then I’m saying it now with you as my witness...”
His words of gratitude and reflections on faith tighten my throat, and the bustling city blurs. The pizza in my hand feels heavy. I place it aside and reach for the water bottle we’ve been sharing. Perhaps a sip can clear my throat.
“Jason.” His name escapes. With the pizza box a barrier between us, I push it aside and close the distance between us. “Everything... someday, I’ll let you read my journal.” My entries have been filled with reflections on him and his family. “You’re so much to me, all that and more.”
“Someday,” he murmurs, his hand finding its way around my waist, pulling me closer. His lips brush my cheek. “I like the idea of being trusted with your secrets. I want to be better, not just as a father but also as a person, spiritually.”
“Always striving to improve makes you the best version of yourself.”
Our gazes lock. I’m stunned by how well we align.
He takes a deep breath, and I tilt my head to rest against his shoulder. “Would it be okay if I tell the kids about us? Before they figure it out on their own?”
“Are you sure?” Fear of the unknown almost clouds my thoughts.
“I like you—really like you.” He kisses the top of my head and pulls me closer as if we aren’t close enough. “Any reason I shouldn’t?”
“Not one I can think of.” My heart flutters, and warmth spreads through me as I peer up into his face. “I like you too. Eden will soon discover our secret if you don’t tell her.”
His hand moves up and down my back, sending a warm shiver down my spine. “I also have an event coming up. Financial donors at the company.” His arm tightens around me, betraying a slight tremor. “Daisy will be there. Her new husband is a silent partner.”
“You’re asking me to come with you?”
“I know it’s a lot to ask.”
“Not from your girlfriend.” I kiss his cheek.
His eyes search mine, relief flickering through them. “You’ll come?”
“I know what it’s like with exes in awkward—”
His lips press against mine, silencing my words.
I’m once again lost in the sensation of his touch, his taste mingling with the remnants of our pizza dinner. I respond with equal fervor, and the depth of my feelings consumes me. If I wasn’t certain about Jason before, I’m now confident I want nothing more than to be kissed by him for the rest of my life. Am I capable of letting that happen? Why do I fear something will tear us apart?