Work had been so hectic that Vanessa hadn’t had time to stress over whatever it was that she and Enrique were doing. In fact, he must have been working on a project, because she’d barely seen him.

He did let her know that she was in her thoughts, by sending her random texts throughout the day. It was actually really sweet.

That was why, when she was sitting down with her team to discuss a new client, she was surprised to see him walk in and sit down at the conference table.

“Derek said that he wanted me to join your team for this one,” Enrique said with a surprisingly nervous look on his face.

Vanessa studied him for a minute, wondering what had made him that way. From the little that she knew of him, it seemed uncharacteristic. Maybe he felt awkward that Derek sent him in, rather than telling her that he was adding Enrique to the campaign. Although it did strike her as odd, she had no problem having another body to put to work, so she took it in stride and continued.

“Slater is one of the newest members of the Thunder, and their hottest bachelor. He recently got a DUI, and has been getting negative publicity … That’s where we come in. Sally, I want you to put a press release together. Slater’s mother died recently, so spin the drinking as a coping mechanism to that. He doesn’t normally go out and get drunk, but he’s trying to deal with the pain … You know what to do. David, Slater does a lot of work with the Boys and Girls Club in Miami, set up a day with The Herald to interview him at the Club and get some shots of him hanging out with the kids. Carl, this is the latest young actress to come out of Nickelodeon,” Vanessa said, sliding a photograph of a pretty, blonde, girl-next-door type, to her subordinate. “I’m setting up a fundraiser for him to attend at that new club opening downtown. Set it up so they go together, and make sure he has a bottle of water in his hand all night. Let everyone see that he can be in a club without drinking alcohol, and that he’s hanging out with this sweet, clean-cut starlet. I’ll want everyone there that night, blending in to the crowd, to ensure everything goes smoothly. There will be plenty of press. We just need to use them to our advantage. Any questions?”

She looked around the table, and when she saw Enrique, she added, “Enrique, you can help David.”

Enrique indicated he understood and turned to confer with David.

Satisfied that everyone knew their role in saving Slater’s image, Vanessa gathered her things and bid everyone a good afternoon.

She was almost to her door when a hand on her arm stopped her.

“Dinner tonight?” Enrique asked when she turned her head to see who’d stopped her progress.

“Seven,” Vanessa responded.

“I’ll pick you up.”

She discretely watched him walk away, anticipation coiling in her belly.

A few hours later, Vanessa was anxiously touching up her makeup as she waited for seven o’clock to come.

She should have asked him where they were going, so she’d know how to dress. Instead she’d tried on four different outfits before settling on a pair of dark jeans and a tunic-style blouse. It would have made more sense to just text him, but for some reason she felt silly doing so. If for some reason he showed up wearing a suit, she’d just take a minute to change.

“No big deal,” she mouthed to herself in the mirror before applying her shimmering gloss.

The doorbell rang, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. She looked down at her phone and saw it was exactly seven.

She could appreciate a man who was punctual. In fact, there hadn’t been anything about Enrique so far that she couldn’t appreciate.

Vanessa opened the door, unable to keep the giddy grin off of her face at seeing him again.

Enrique returned her grin and said, “You look beautiful, as always.” Then leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. “Ready?”

Noticing that he was wearing jeans and a button-up shirt, she nodded and said, “Yes, I’m starved.”

“Perfect,” he replied, then offered his hand to her. She took it, her stomach fluttering sweetly at the innocent embrace, and walked with him out of her building.

Enrique parallel parked on a busy street and took Vanessa’s hand. They strolled together down the sidewalk, the breeze that swept around them balmy, but not uncomfortable. When they came to a stop, she looked up, surprised to see they were standing in front of a food truck.

“I hope this is okay,” Enrique said with a sheepish grin. “They have the best Cuban sandwiches in the city.”

“I’ve never eaten at a food truck before,” Vanessa admitted, hoping she didn’t sound like a snob. It wasn’t that she’d never wanted to, she’d just never really thought about it, or made the effort to do so.

“Well, you’re in for a treat, I promise,” he assured her, squeezing her hand softly. “If you don’t like it, you can take me anywhere you want next time.”

Vanessa smiled. She liked the fact that he was already talking about there being a next time.

“Will you order for me?” she asked.

Enrique grinned, causing her tummy to warm. She liked pleasing him.

They chatted as they waited for their order to be ready, and Vanessa looked over the menu. Everything sounded good, maybe next time she’d order for them both. Maybe this could be their thing, their special spot.

Vanessa flushed at the direction of her thoughts. Suddenly, she was thinking of him as more than just a “hook up.”

When their number was called, Enrique led her to a bench. He unwrapped her sandwich halfway and handed it to her.

“Mmmm,” she moaned when the rich flavors hit her tongue. “This is delicious!” she exclaimed, then covered her mouth in surprise. She never talked with her mouth full.

Enrique just chuckled at her exuberance and took a healthy bite of his sandwich.

They ate in silence, both intent on enjoying their meals, as Vanessa surveyed the area. The truck had maintained a steady line since they’d arrived, and she wondered who did their PR. She watched as the door leading into the back of the truck opened, and a handsome man emerged. She was surprised when he looked their way and his eyes lit up.

The stranger headed right for them and when he was a couple feet away, Enrique must have sensed the other man’s presence, because his head came up.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming, hermano?” the man asked, pulling Enrique into a quick hug when he stood.

Vanessa jumped to her feet, curious as to who this guy was to Enrique, when her date turned to her and said, “Carlos, this is Vanessa. Mi Cielo, this is my brother, Carlos.”

Carlos’s eyebrows rose at his brother’s endearment to her, then his grin broadened and he pulled her in for a quick hug, shocking her.

“Um, hi,” she stammered when she was comfortably back in her own space. “Your food is delicious.”

Carlos bowed, just as charming as his brother, and said, “Gracias, we aim to please,” then he turned to his brother and said, “I’ve got to get back, but give me a call so we can hook up. It was nice to meet you, Vanessa.”

“You too, Carlos.”

He turned to leave, then gave his brother one last smile and said, “Ella esta que echa humo.”

“Si,” Enrique responded, then gestured for her to take her seat, before joining her back on the bench.

“What did he say?” Vanessa asked curiously.

“He thinks you’re hot,” he replied with a wink, causing Vanessa to blush.

She picked up her food, smiling to herself as pleasure suffused her. She was happy that Enrique had brought her here to meet his brother. It meant that he wanted to show her off, and that he was proud of his brother’s accomplishment.

The more time Vanessa spent with Enrique, the more she liked him, and as she moved her hand to cover his on his thigh, she wondered when he’d began to work his way into her heart.