Chapter 30

Tablet in hand,Natalia returned to the lobby in search of stronger Wi-Fi. She settled into a cushioned rattan chair in the corner, shifting to avoid a stray beam of dying sunlight filtering through the palm fronds overhead.

With a few taps, she pulled up the latest draft script from one of her mid-level show-runner clients. The project was a sapphic romance set in a quaint bookstore at the center of a small fictional town obsessed with Christmas. Natalia started reading from where she’d left off at the end of the first act, making notes as she went.

After the first few pages, Natalia was fighting an eye roll. The dialogue was cloyingly sweet, the meet-cute contrived. She appreciated the appetite for light-hearted lesbian love stories, but couldn’t relate to such saccharine romantic fantasies.

She powered through the remainder of the script, editing and commenting in her most diplomatic tone. Natalia recognized the value of these stories existing, even if the cardboard characters and unrealistic romances weren’t to her taste. After a lifetime of tortured period dramas with miserable endings as the only sapphic option, she was glad more variety was emerging.

Even if disappointment was more true to life than unconvincing happy endings. Love required more than batted eyelashes and shared longing glances. It demanded a vulnerability she wasn’t sure anyone possessed anymore. Certainly not anyone her age who’d had their trust shattered by reality.

Her thoughts drifted to her own complicated story with Samantha, so much messier than these scripted fantasies. What they had was undefined and risky, constantly shifting between fiery passion and cautious reserve.

But the irresistible pull between them wasn’t some unknowable love — it was lust. Simple brain chemistry. Nothing mysterious or unknowable. It was the most honest kind of interaction people could have. Open and obvious and free of lies.

Natalia was just submitting the last of her script notes when a cheerful voice broke her concentration.

“You must be the famous Natalia!”

Alarmed by a strange man knowing her name, Natalia’s defenses shot up like spikes dipped in poison.

“Maybe introduce us first, darling,” the second strange man said with a playful smile. “I’m Ty,” the man said, his skin dark against the white of his beard and close-cropped hair. In a suit Natalia would guess was Tom Ford, he looked too handsome to be a stalker. “This is my husband, Tito.” He gestured to the bald man to his right. “We’re Sam’s uncles.”

“I guess I should have led with that,” Tito agreed, his olive skin flushing red from his neck to the top of his shiny head. “I should also add that of the many uncles, I’m the favorite.” He extended his hand.

Natalia blinked, surprise rendering her momentarily speechless. She shook Tito’s hand on autopilot. She’d expected to meet Samantha’s family, but hadn’t considered what it would be like.

“Blanca tells us you’re one impressive woman,” Tito continued enthusiastically. “And we did a little Googling of our own — you’ve accomplished incredible things! That LGBTQ talent agency you built from the ground up? Revolutionary!”

Natalia managed a polite smile, though praise often left her uneasy. “Thank you. It’s been a very rewarding endeavor,” she offered her standard response.

“I loved that movie. The queer heist with all the gorgeous specimens,” Ty added. “What was the name of it?—”

“Stealing Venus—” Natalia started, but Tito clapped enthusiastically, cutting her off.

“That one! It was like someone said Oceans 8, but make the lady-loving ladies part right in your face.” Tito laughed. “We loved it! And according to Google, it wouldn’t have been made without your top talent.”

Natalia was unaccustomed to being bombarded with warmth and praise. She looked for an ulterior motive, but her rum-dipped brain couldn’t find one. That didn’t mean that these men were being genuine. She just couldn’t guess what they wanted. Not yet.

“You must be brilliant to pull something like that off back when attitudes were so backwards.” Ty shook his head, voice low and velvety — a restrained contrast to Tito’s exuberance. “Such an inspiration for young businesswomen and entrepreneurs everywhere. Especially those just starting the journey of embracing their true selves.”

Flustered, Natalia nodded. How else was she supposed to respond to open admiration from virtual strangers?

“Forgive us for coming on a touch too strong.” Ty’s smile was so warm and genuine it was almost comforting. “We’re just pleased as punch that Sam met someone so accomplished and motivated. She needs that little extra spark, you know?”

“Oh, please.” Tito waved at his husband dismissively. “I’m sure she’s contended with worse than a couple of enthusiastic old queens.”

“Old?” Ty gave Tito a side-eye, but it was openly playful. “Speak for yourself. I’m vintage chic, babe.”

Natalia smiled at Ty, an unfamiliar sentiment welling within her. If the rest of Samantha’s family was a nightmare, at least she’d be able to find refuge in these two. Jesus, what was she thinking? These weren’t her friends. This wasn’t her place.

“Anyway, we’ll let you get back to work.” Ty guided a beaming Tito away. “So lovely to finally meet you, Natalia. We’ll see you at dinner!”

Staring after them, Natalia was struck by their simple display of affection. It awakened bittersweet longings she preferred to keep buried.

With effort, she shook it off and hurried to her room, bolstering herself before facing the outgoing Reyes clan again. Their easy warmth threatened her equilibrium — she refused to let it slip by her defenses a second time.

Natalia stepped into the villa, relieved to find it empty. She needed a moment alone to gather herself after the unexpected interaction with Samantha’s uncles.

This intimate family weekend had been a mistake — she resolved to get her own room after dinner and leave first thing in the morning.

Before she could strategize a subtle exit, the bathroom door opened. Sam emerged fresh from the shower, towel around her waist and damp hair slicked back. Natalia’s mouth went dry at the sight of all that exposed, toned skin.

“There you are!” Samantha greeted her with a megawatt smile. “I missed you this afternoon. How was the script?”

Natalia stared wordlessly, pulse kicking as she followed a bead of water running down Samantha’s modest chest. Visions of licking it away flooded her mind unbidden.

Get a grip, she commanded herself harshly. She forced her eyes up to meet Samantha’s, but that was a mistake, too. The open affection there cracked her composure all over again.

“It was fine,” she managed tightly.

“I hoped you’d be back before I finished in the shower,” she said with a wicked grin.

Natalia couldn’t find the words to tell her that she didn’t do that. It was beside the point and Natalia didn’t trust her words. She needed space. Needed to breathe.

“I have to shower,” she said before striding toward the bathroom and closing the door behind her.

Heart hammering like the one time she was tricked into taking a spin class, Natalia laid her damp palms flat against the cold marble of the double sink.

Get it together, Natalia, Jesus. It’s just one little family dinner. You survived a thirty-million-dollar box office flop. How bad could this be?

She didn’t spare a glimpse at herself in the mirror before peeling off her clothes and stepping into the shower, tiles still hot and thrumming with the scent of Samantha’s body wash.