Page 62 of Before Dawn

@mikkelsuarezofficial:I bet. Especially with all thoseboxes... What time did you finally finish?

Me:Around 9. I might sleep for a week.

@mikkelsuarezofficial:You deserve it after all that. Get some rest, cariño36 and text me whenever you’re up.

I reacted to the message, then translated what he said, and nearly fell off the bed.

Sweetheart.

He called me sweetheart.

I set my phone down to charge, Mikkel’s texts still lingering in my mind, a smile tugging at my lips. Curling up in bed, the soft sheets wrapped around me like a warm embrace. With thoughts of him drifting through my head, I closed my eyes, letting sleep carry me into a world where anything felt possible.

Chapter Fourteen

Mikkel

“Love is a meeting of two souls, fully accepting the dark and the light within each other, bound by the courage to grow through struggle into bliss.”

~ Unknown

The city pulsed with energy, the familiar hum of honking taxis and distant chatter welcoming me back. After landing and checking in on Emilia, I crashed for a quick nap before heading to Alex’s house.

“How was the trip?” Alex asked, lifting an eyebrow as he took a sip of his beer. “Arnoldo said you hit the Windy City.”

I leaned back, stretching my arms with a contented sigh. “Sacramento was good. Chicago? Even better. Secured all three key investors.”

His grin widened. “Look at you, making moves.”

I shrugged. “All in a day’s work.”

He let out a low chuckle. “Yeah, yeah. Like it’s nothing.” He studied me for a moment before smirking. “How’s your girlfriend?”

Heat crept up my neck before I could stop it. My lips twitched—too much of a smile, too fast. “She’s not my girlfriend yet.” I paused, as if saying it aloud would make it true. “But we’ve been texting. She had a headache earlier, so she’s resting.”

Alex leaned in, eyes narrowing slightly. “Does she text you every day?”

“Yeah,” I said, but it came out almost like a question, a shrug slipping in for cover.

“Do you guys flirt?”

I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head with a knowing smirk. “Yes.”

“Does she tell you what she’s up to?”

“Yeah.”

His smirk deepened. “Then she’s your girl.”

I huffed out a laugh. “It’s not that simple.”

“Are you gonna ask her out?”

This time, my answer came without hesitation. “Yes.” My voice was firm. “I’m waiting until she’s back to make my official move.”

Alex nodded, something unreadable flickering in his expression before it settled into approval. “I think this can be good for you.”

I met his gaze. “I think so too.”

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