Page 108 of Dream Chaser

Nova

December

The stage at the RevGlobe Grand Prix award show glowed beneath sharp blue, white, and gold lights. Voices rose and fell in bursts. Cameras flashed. Music pulsed through the space.

I stood offstage, equipment ready, taking in the sponsor logos scattered across the backdrop. The fact that we worked with some of those companies made the event feel even bigger.

Attendees slowly filled the rows of midnight-blue seats. My gaze paused on the front row. Kaia, Asher’s grandmother, and her partner, whom I’d met that morning, would be sitting there.

So would Alejandro. And me, once I could join him.

Longing tugged at my chest. Our night in the mountains was permanently etched into my thoughts. Despite keeping things professional, it was hard not to remember. Even harder not to wonder what a relationship with him would be like.

But we couldn’t. And I wouldn’t be the one to cross the line again. He’d been more distant, even though the warmth in his gaze betrayed him.

As I opened my phone camera to check the settings for the hundredth time, a man approached me. Older, maybe in his late fifties or early sixties judging by the streaks of gray in his styled hair. Dressed in a black suit with a white button-down underneath, he had the air of someone important. A sponsor? Discreetly, I glanced at his lanyard.

The badge said Ignacio Espinosa and Deportes Espinosa was written underneath. Must’ve been another sports agency.

He stared at me curiously as if trying to place me.

I shifted my weight.

He held out his hand, his smile wide. “Ignacio Espinosa from Deportes Espinosa.”

Some of the tension eased. “Nova Lockhart from the Guerrero Sport Agency.”

“You must be proud of your racer,” he said with a heavy Spanish accent, pointing at the stage backdrop with his chin. The champions’ photos were displayed on it now, and Asher’s was first. “Such a remarkable achievement, especially for someone so young.”

I nodded. “It is. He worked hard to be where he is.”

“Oh.” He laughed. “No doubt about that. Though I bet part of his success is thanks to you and Alejandro. I know him well. Ambitious. Hard-working. I guess he told you about me as well.”

“I don’t think he did.” The way he spoke about Alejandro hinted at history between them, but if Alejandro hadn’t brought him up, it must’ve been for a reason.

Or maybe I wasn’t important enough to tell.

A frown replaced Ignacio’s smile. “I guess it’s understandable after how we parted ways.”

“What do you mean?”

“He used to work at Deportes Espinosa.”

That must’ve been the job Alejandro had mentioned on the flight here. It’d seemed like a sore subject, so I hadn’t pried.

“What happened?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

“You know.” Ignacio waved dismissively. “Youth makes lots of mistakes.” Then, as if he feared I’d be put off by his comment, he added, “but I made my fair share too. I hope Alejandro doesn’t hold grudges, although he might after what I’m about to do.”

Ignacio retrieved a business card from the interior pocket of his jacket. “I’ve been following your work for a while, and I think you’d be invaluable to my team. If you ever think about changing jobs, I’d love to have you at Deportes Espinosa. We could negotiate a raise. I’m sure I can double your current salary.”

I stared at him. Did he just offer me a job right after talking about his history with Alejandro?

“I’m not looking—”

Another wave of his hand. “You’re not looking now, but nobody knows what’s going to happen later. If you ever find yourself wanting a change, my agency’s doors are open. Just give me a call.” He thrust the card into my hands. “My personal cell is on the back.”

His personal cell? I stared at the white cardstock with Ignacio Espinosa embossed in golden script, then shoved it into my purse.