Hailey's POV
"Leelee, are you ready to go? We're going to be late!" Christin yelled at me from the front door.
"Coming, one second!" I clasped the strap of my heel before racing to the door. Running in heels has become second nature to me. Oftentimes, I find myself running late and needing to sprint in a cute pair of heels.
"You can't make me late to the opening of the restaurant, I'll be a sous chef! Move it, woman." She pushed me out of the door, herding me like cattle towards the elevator.
"Calm down. We have plenty of time. Besides, it is right down the road. We could walk there if we had to." I waved my hand at her dramatics.
"We might just have to. There's a big traffic jam on the way to the restaurant." She held her phone up, showing me her traffic updates.
"I am not dressed for walking there." I shook my head. I may run in heels well, but even I get hurt by them when walking a mile. It's just not happening.
"Well, I can't be late, so I am walking. You and I both know I will get there before the traffic even starts to move."
"Okay, have fun with that. I will meet you there, eventually." I shrugged at her, causing her to roll her eyes at me.
"Thanks," she said sarcastically, stepping out of the elevator first.
"Ay, pues, fine. I'm coming, dammit." I could see how important this was to her and I'll be damned if I am not there for her every step of the way. She turned, smiling her Colgate smile at me, showing the happy twinkle in her eye. I know I'm going to regret this later.
We walked slowly, watching as the traffic moved slower than we did. It turns out my cousin is more nervous than I initially thought. She holds herself so well that I forget she can get nervous, too. I tried my best to ease her worries, joking around to lighten her mood. All was going well, until I got too ahead of myself, was stupid, and twisted my ankle. I didn't see the giant ass crack in the sidewalk that my heel fit into a little too perfectly.
"Are you okay?" She asked me, helping me up and trying not to laugh. We are both the same way. Any time someone falls, we can't help but laugh. It didn't mean we weren't concerned, just that we found it funny.
"Maybe?" I tested my ankle, having shooting pain sear up when I applied weight to that foot. "Nope, nope, nope. Not okay." I leaned against the building, sitting back down on the ground.
"The restaurant is two blocks down, think you can limp there?" She asked, eyeing the direction we needed to go.
"Just leave me to die here. Leave me behind and live your dreams out," I said dramatically, holding my hand out to be funny.
"Vamos {Let's go}, you can lean on me."
I nodded, letting her pull me up and drape my arm over her. We were going well until we remembered how rude people in New York could be. They kept bumping into us and causing us to almost fall back.
"Okay, look, you wait here, and I'll go get help. Don't move." She sat me at a table at one of the other restaurants nearby as she ran down another block to Dad's grand opening.
It didn't take long for me to see her return with Juan on her tail. For once, I didn't mind seeing him. He had brought the first aid kit with him that was kept in the kitchen. When they got to me, Christin had to return to the restaurant as they couldn't be down a chef and sous chef.
"I got her, don't worry," Juan assured her as he gently lifted my foot to look at my injury. I watched as Christin ran back, not sparing a glance. She was focused and I loved that about her.
"Leave it to me to get hurt just walking down the street." I tried to laugh it off, feeling oddly down in the dumps. Maybe because my mind was on Ian and I wished it was him and not Juan, who is currently helping me.
"I like your clumsiness, Hailey. It's cute and gives me a chance to help you." Juan smiled at me, trying to be charming.
"Thank you for coming to help, Juan. Especially since you left the restaurant on such an important night to do so." I held his gaze as I thanked him, feeling something stir inside me.
He had given up time away from something he loved for me. It hurt to realize, because it meant that Ian, who had spent so much time with me and who had slept with me, couldn't even give up a minute with Liv for me. Yet Juan, whom I kept avoiding and trying to dodge, gave up something important to come and wrap my ankle.
"How's that?" He asked once he was done.
"Better. Thank you."
I went to stand, but he stopped me, picking me up and holding me close. It was as if I weighed no more than a sack of flour to him. I blushed, feeling embarrassed and odd at the intimate action. He took me through the back entrance, probably trying to spare me from further embarrassment. I appreciated that greatly, as I have embarrassed myself a few too many times around my family.
"I'll let your dad and Christin know you're here and get you some food. Just wait here," he said as he placed me on the black leather couch in his dark office. I nodded, watching him leave.
A couple minutes later, Papi came in and checked on me. He gave me a tight hug and thanked me for coming before he had to go back out and mingle. Christin, of course, made fun of me, but she was glad I was okay. We hugged, and she got back to work. Juan came in as she left, bringing me a plate of delicious Cuban foods.
"Oh my gosh, thank you! I am starving."
"Any time." He smiled, seeming happy at my excitement. "I like having you in my office, Hailey. You make it brighter."
I coughed, slightly choking on my food at his comment. Juan was being a little more forward with his flirting tonight, and I wasn't sure what was spurring this on.
"Where's your boyfriend? Why couldn't he help you?"
"I am not sure he's my boyfriend anymore." I sighed, staring at my food as if it were my salvation. Food is my comfort, and I lean into it a bit too much when I am saddened.
"I am sorry to hear that." He sat on the couch beside me as he spoke.
"Oh, are you?" I knew he was lying. It was obvious from the mischievous smirk he had on his face.
"Maybe not as sorry as I should be. My feelings for you haven't changed, and I certainly haven't hidden them from you." He leaned closer to me, allowing his lips to graze my ear as he whispered. "I'll come back to check on you. I hope you'll be ready for me."
He left my head spinning with my tormenting thoughts. Maybe Papi was right and Juan is the guy for me. Why didn't I want to date him anyway? Just because Papi picked him? That's not right for him. Maybe I should just trust his judgment and finally give Juan a chance. Why does that hurt to think about? Because I want Ian, but he's not the one.
I kept myself entertained, scrolling through my phone and watching funny videos. I could hear them closing up and cleaning when Juan entered again. He gave me his charming smile as we locked eyes.
"I told Christin she could head home when she was done. I'll carry you to my car and take you home as soon as I can. How are you feeling?" he asked, looking at my ankle. I didn't like that he hadn't asked if I wanted him to take me home or not, but I guess that was his way of taking care of me.
"Okay, kind of peckish and bored."
"I can fix that." He wiggled his eyebrows, pulling out the small bowl he had hidden behind his back. My mouth watered, spreading into a smile as I eyed the arrow con leche.
"Ay, sí! I love you so much right now!" I said excitedly, using the phrase I often use, but I realized I probably shouldn't have in this instance.
"Oh, do you?" He walked over to me, sitting on the couch beside me. I took the bowl from his hands, eating a spoonful.
"You know what I mean."
"Do I?" He teased me, smirking as he leaned his face closer to mine. I knew what he was doing, but I wasn't sure if I should stop it. He had already proven to me that he would choose time with me over his greatest passion. What's holding me back?
"Maybe you don't." I stared at his lips, wondering if this was truly the wisest decision. The thought of being loved doesn't scare me right now. In fact, I would say that I wanted it. I wanted to find love, to love, and to be loved. But is this right?
His lips met mine, kissing me tenderly. It sent my stomach into knots- a feeling of guilt and pleasure mixed into one. The guilt eased away as I let myself go and focused on this moment. Pushing Ian out of my head, I let myself enjoy being kissed by a man who was willing to pick me. We kissed for a few minutes, but then his hand wandered up my thigh. I pushed it away, not wanting anything more, only to have his hand reach up again.
"Juan, stop." I pushed against him.
Only he didn't stop. His hand grabbed my thigh again, accelerating my heart rate further. Is this really happening?
Juan's hand on my thigh scared me as I realized what he was trying to do now. Maybe he hadn't heard me, or maybe he thinks I'm just playing hard to get. Deciding to try to get my message across again, I pushed his hand once more.
"Juan, I mean it. I don't want that." My voice came out serious and harsh, making sure there was no way for him to read any flirtation in it.
"No one's here, if that's what you're worried about. Everyone's gone home, except a couple of front staff, but they never come into the kitchen after closing. You don't have to worry." He said, kissing my neck as he grabbed my thigh once more. I pushed on his chest some, which he surprisingly complied with. He pulled back and stared at me for a moment.
"It's not that. I just don't- "
"Good, then there's no reason to hold back, Hailey. I've been waiting on you for far too long already. Don't make me wait longer when you've already given it to every guy that's asked."
I was so shocked at his comment that I found myself speechless for a second. That second allowed him to snake his hand into my dress and lick my neck. I sucked in a breath, feeling so disgusted. His touch made my body physically recoil, and I tried to sink my chest back to get away from him. My hands pushed hard against his chest, hoping, to no avail, that he would stop.
"I said stop!" I yelled this time, hoping someone would hear, but the kitchen was deadly quiet.
"Hailey, you can't be serious. I've taken care of you all night. You've seen me at your family dinners and your dad loves the idea of us together. Why are you trying to ruin this?"
"Ruin this? There is no this!" I snapped.
Juan decided to ignore what I had to say as he pressed against me further, placing most of his weight against me. He was trying to pin me down against this couch, but I wasn't one to just stop fighting when things seemed hopeless. I dare say that's when I fight the hardest. Somehow, I managed to knee him in the balls hard enough to be able to push him off me. He landed on the floor with a large thud. Not wasting a moment, I got off the couch and ran for the door.
With the adrenaline pumping through my veins, I forgot about having hurt my ankle. The moment I put weight on it, I fell over with my ankle giving way. Using the doorknob for support, I pulled myself up and hopped as quickly as I could. I was hopping along the kitchen now, feeling I might make it, when his hand grabbed the back of my neck. I was slammed against the cold silver counter as Juan had caught up to me already. I cursed my heels and the city sidewalk cracks. This would have been easier to get away from if I hadn't hurt myself.