Page 144 of Before Dawn

“How’s your day?” I asked, glancing around at the busy room.

“Exhausting,” she admitted with a sigh. “How was your meeting?”

I shrugged. “Still at a standstill, so we’re waiting for updates. But we’ve got a plan to move forward once they’re back.”

She nodded, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. “Azzaria’s sleeping over tonight, by the way.”

“I remember,” I said with a grin. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay,” she said softly, her eyes shining as I leaned in for another kiss.

“Goodbye,mi reina,67” I murmured.

She smiled, watching as I turned and headed out, my heart lighter than it had been all day.

After the gym, I felt alive in a way I hadn’t in weeks. My muscles burned with that good soreness, my mind clearer than it had been in weeks. Getting back into the rhythm of lifting weights andfocusing on each rep had grounded me. It wasn’t just about staying in shape; it was about shutting out the noise, regaining control. And after months of being pulled in a thousand different directions, tonight, I found that balance again.

And it felt damn good.

On the drive back, my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. The group chat was on fire—as usual. These guys never knew when to quit. At a red light, I glanced at the screen, smirking as I read through the chaos.

Dill:Suarez, your woman stole mine tonight.

Me:Sucks for you.

Reyes:God, I hate lovesick men.

Luci:I’m in Greece with my wife. Life’s good, gentlemen.

Ro:and I’m at my hospital.

Everyone:As usual.

Alex:i’m nailing this whole dad thing. y’all should really try it.

I huffed out a laugh, shaking my head.Same shit, different day—someone whining, someone bragging, and Arnoldo pretending he didn’t care.

Reyes:Can we talk about how soft you all sound?

Me:Careful, hermano. You might be next.

Ro:i agree, Reyes.

Dill:Says the guy pining for five years.

Ro:Says the guy who fell for his intern.

Luci:Arnoldo probably googles “how to not catch feelings.”

Reyes:Ihateyou all.

The banter was endless, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Then my eyes flicked to the takeout bag on the passenger seat, and just like that, my focus shifted. Dinner for Abigail, and by extension, Azzaria, was just a cover.

The truth? I couldn’t spend another second away from her.

The drive to her apartment felt like a blur, my mind already racing ahead to the moment I’d see her. By the time I reached her door and knocked, I was already smiling.

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