Page 182 of Before Dawn

I nodded, meeting his gaze. “This is more than enough.”

He studied me for a moment, head tilting slightly. “Are you sure? I haven’t seen you pick much.”

“I don’t need much,” I admitted with a soft smile. “Besides, what about you? You haven’t bought anything except the watch.”

“Today isn’t about me.” His chuckle was warm as he rested a hand against the small of my back, guiding me toward the next set of stores. “It’s about you.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes playfully. “You are something else, Mr. Suarez.”

“I’m fine being anything as long as it’s with you, Ms. Asher.”

Smiling, I kissed him softly before we wandered toward Mercado Little Spain. The air was thick with the aroma of grilled meat and spices, wrapping around us like a warm embrace. After ordering loaded barbecue chicken tacos for myself and birria tacos for Mikkel, we settled at a small window table.

Just as I was about to take a bite, his phone buzzed, stealing his attention.

“Who is it?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“Morison,” he replied, glancing at the screen.

My brow furrowed slightly. “Everything okay at the office?”

He nodded, but I could see the wheels turning in his head.

“He just reminded me about the big meeting we have later,” he said before taking a bite of his taco, his expression contemplative.

“The investors, right?”

“No, the Seattle acquisition.” He waved it off like it was nothing, but I caught the underlying tension in his voice. “We’re closing the deal today.”

A proud smile tugged at my lips. “I’m proud of you. You’re doing amazing, and I know the meeting will go great. Just promise me you won’t overwork yourself.”

His gaze softened as he reached over, placing his hand over mine. “Thank you,mi amor,and I won’t. I have it under control.”

After we finished eating, he took my hand, guiding me through the bustling food court and out to the car. The ride back was quiet, comfortablein a way that needed no words. Before I knew it, we were outside my apartment, and a wave of disappointment settled over me. I wished we could spend the rest of the day curled up on the sofa, lost in each other, but responsibility called.

“I’ll see you later?”

“Of course. I’ll be back after the meeting,” he assured me, running a hand through my hair. His gaze held a promise, one that sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Drive safe and have a good meeting.”

“Always.” He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips before pulling away and heading to his car.

I sighed, stepping inside and plopping onto the sofa. My gaze drifted to the shopping bags beside me, but instead of unpacking them, I got up to start laundry, Lana playing softly in the background. I thought about texting him but didn’t want to disturb him. As the day stretched on, exhaustion crept in, and before I knew it, I was curled up on the sofa, drifting into sleep.

A sudden knock at the door startled me awake. I blinked, disoriented, the apartment now bathed in the dim hues of evening.

Fuck, it was almost seven p.m.

Rubbing my eyes, I got up, wondering if I’d imagined it. But as I opened the door, my heart warmed instantly.

Mikkel stood there, looking as handsome as ever, his hair slightly tousled as if he’d come straight from his meeting. In his hands were several shopping bags, leaving me both intrigued and confused.

“Why do you have so many bags?” I asked, still feeling disoriented from sleep.

“I went back to the mall after my meeting.”

I looked up sharply at him. “Why?”

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