The limo snaked through the city streets of LA, crawling through traffic as Solana had predicted. Sandwiched between Jack and her abuela, in the back seat, Solana concentrated on holding her arms still, not on her flamed skin where the soft wool of Jack's suit pressed against her elbow and knee.

Ximena swept her fingers along the leather interior. "This is definitely the way to travel."

"You can use my car anytime you need." Jack crossed his legs, the small movement increasing the pressure of his hip against Solana's. The motion ricocheted in her lower region, and she shifted in her seat. Bees buzzed in her chest, and she buried her hands under her arm to hide their slight shake. "The bus is fine."

"Thank you, Jack, for the thoughtful offer." Ximena turned to him. "Your parents would be proud of you, helping an old lady like me."

A shadow crossed Jack's face, and Solana's heart ached. "Yes, Jack. This is very kind of you." Sky-blue eyes met hers and a hint of a smile graced his lips. Then he patted his jacket and pulled out his phone.

"Excuse me, I have to take this." He turned to the window and spoke in a low tone. "Yes... well, what's the temperature?"

Ximena sipped on her coffee and beamed at Solana.

"And the non-disparity clause?" Jack uncrossed his legs and his back stiffened. "Not acceptable. Have you scoped out any deal space?"

It was like Jack was speaking a foreign language. One he didn't particularly like because his face resembled stone.

"Pull this out of the weeds and get back to me when it's done." He hung up the phone and stared at the blank screen, a nerve in his jaw ticking. She wanted to run her finger along the pulsing point, ask it to relax. Instead, her fingernails dug into her palms.

Her abuela must have felt the same compulsion as she reached across the space and patted his thigh. "Is everything alright dear?"

Stone melted as he regarded her. "It will be. I always get my way."

Pompass Jack was back, and the tightness in Solana's chest diminished.

"Must be hard running that big company all by yourself," Ximena said.

"I have a board of directors to help."

"Yes, but they're not family. Flesh and blood have your back in a way no others do."

"Sometimes." Jack shifted, his knee bumping Solana's again, sending off another round of tingles to places she didn't want to think about. She squeezed her thighs together and concentrated on the view out of the windshield where the driver sat.

"The only living relatives I have left are more interested in spending my money than serving the company. So it's all up to me to manage." His phone dinged twice, and Jack's lips formed a thin line when his eyes fell to the screen. Without a word, he answered, listening to the voice on the other end.

"What are we hung up on, exactly?" He tapped his fingers on his leg and Solana became mesmerized by the digits tempo. It was odd to being attracted to a man's hands, but Jack's were impeccable. Long fingers, manicured nails, strong and capable. She remembered the feel of them on her bottom, how they cupped it perfectly. The collar of her knit dress prickled with warmth.

"Accommodate the pivot." Jack disconnected the call without saying goodbye.

Solana found herself asking him, "Have you ever had Arepa?" He cocked his head to the side. "It's a bit like Columbia's version of pizza. Except it's made from cornmeal."

"Can't say I have." An indentation formed between his eyebrows. "You're asking why?"

"This woman here makes the best Arepas in town." She had to try. Otherwise, when they got out of this limo there might not be a next time. He'd come to the hospital for her. It was her turn for a show of bravery. "You should stay for dinner, you know, to pay you back for the ride."

Ximena sat forward. "Oh, yes."

Jack folded his arms. "I told you, I don't need payback."

So defensive. Ire rose in her throat, and fire threatened to spew in a slew of insults. It was okay for him to offer kindness, but she couldn't return it. Instead, she bit her tongue and waited for the explosion to quell.

When it dwindled to hot embers, she tried a different approach. "Agreed. But a friend can invite another friend over for food, right?"

Jack's shoulders fell an inch, and the line ironed out. "Yes. That is what friends do."

"Then it's decided." Her abeula settled back in her seat, the matter complete. "You'll stay for dinner."

"Unless you have a better offer." Solana searched his face for resistance, hoping he wouldn't take the out.

His lower lip tucked under the top one momentarily. When a charming smile broke across his face, her insides lit up like a Christmas tree. "No plans whatsoever."

"Consider yourself busy then, friend."

A series of dings crashed through the moment. Jack cocked his head to the side. "Sorry."

Solana pointed to the phone. "Go ahead. I'll wait."

His eyes flashed with something and didn't leave hers as he raised the phone to his ears. "Yes."

This time she could hear a man's voice on the other end, short and firm. But Jack didn't turn away. He held her gaze. The way Jack looked at her, it almost felt as if he was sharing the conversation with her. Until his face soured, perhaps hearing something he didn't like. He closed his eyes, leaned back on the headrest, his body tensing. Then the tapping restarted, accompanied by a leg bounce.

Of its own accord, her baby finger brushed his, perhaps in an attempt to still the staccato. Embarrassed, she froze, unable to breathe. Maybe he was too distracted by his conversation to notice her blunder. She pulled away, but his finger caught hers, and entwined all of her digits with his. They were warm and soft. Firm yet gentle. The agitation swirling in her stomach ceased, his touch like a balm to her.

As they held hands, the hard angles of Jack dulled. The fidgeting stopped and his clipped voice lowered. He relaxed into the seat, eyes still closed, but his grip solid.   

Hey DL here. I was going for cute. Close?