Page 45 of Bound to You

“You know Mom never wanted me to be a pilot, right?”

“What?”

“She said it was too dangerous, the idea of me crashing in the middle of the ocean was too much for her. We had so many fights when I went to aviation college. I spent so many nights having screaming matches with her whenever I’d go home for dinner.”

I had no idea.

“She always talks about how proud she is of you, how you’re so perfect and I should be more like you, get a job that they will be proud of me for.” I know I sounded like a brat, but that’s truly how my mom acts.

“Maybe that’s how she feels now, but she hated the idea when it first came up, but it’s what I wanted and I didn’t let her push me out of it, after a while she got over it.”

Tears slipped down my face as I leaned against the edge of the bathroom sink, trying to remember those times, I neverremember them fighting. Something switches in my brain realizing that Miles went through something similar to me, I always had it in my head that he became a pilot because he had a little an interest in it, but that Mom and Dad pushed him towards it. I felt a newfound comfort knowing that Miles didn’t have the easygoing start that I’d assumed.

“They think I should go back, take Brandon back and work at Dad’s firm. Brandon won’t stop calling me, I feel like my future is inevitable.” More tears fell. I haven’t really talked to my brother like this since he left, and I haven’t really said any of that out loud.

“Isla listen to me,” he put his serious voice on, the one he uses when he’s in professional settings, or telling me off. “You need to do whatever it is that you want, if that’s your painting, if that’s becoming a weirdo statue street performer that scares the living daylights out of people walking past, whatever. I don’t care what it is, but live your life for you, not for anyone else. Mom and Dad will come around, I promise.”

I nodded, not that he could see it.

“Oh, my room service is here, I’ve got to go but I love you Isla, we’ll talk soon?”

“I love you too.” And with that he hung up, leaving me looking in the big bathroom mirror with tear stains down my face and a shaky breath.

After coming back from the bathroom, Caio hovered for about half an hour before he completely disappeared from view. Marina, May and I are standing around a table with champagne in hand while May is grilling Marina about Leo. “So he’s from here?”

“Yeah, he used to live here when he was young, giving me another idiot to keep alive when I was only eighteen. He’s a dick but I love him.”

“He seems close with the guys. Why did he leave?”

“He started up his business in the city, and at first, he’d come back all the time. But then business picked up and things got really serious for him, so he rarely ever comes back now. He’s only been back a handful of times over the last few years, so seeing him here tonight is special.” Her eyes hold an appreciative glow as she looks over at him and Heath at the bar.

I forget about their conversation as my eyes land on the handsome man walking up the stairs onto the stage. I still can’t believe I’m staying somewhere where there’s a ballroom. With a stage in it.

The room quietens as Caio makes his way to the microphone with Rafael by his side, and it comes to my attention that I have no idea what this event is even for. I never questioned Caio about it, I just agreed. I couldn’t do anything else when he was looking at me so intensely that night in the pool. Paralyzed by the feeling rumbling in my chest at his proximity.

I thought avoiding Caio would work, but he keeps stepping into my path and walking alongside me. I don’t know how to stop it; I don’t know if I even want to anymore.

He probably thought I was an idiot the way I ran out on him, but I had to get out of his proximity. I nearly crossed the line that night, I nearly wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist in the pool. Nearly hit the emergency stop button in the elevator and kissed him senseless.

“Buona sera a tutti, good evening, everyone.” Caio’s smooth voice booms through the microphone, a grateful look in his eyes as he scans the room. “We are so appreciative to everyone that showed up tonight, it’s inspiring to see so many of you here.” He flashes a handsome smile.

“Many of you are familiar with the Ruby Cove Entrepreneurial Program and have been long supporters,” he catches the eye of a few people in the audience. “But those of you who are here for the first time tonight, Rafael and I extendour gratitude to you. We are so excited to have you on board to help our kids experience an amazing opportunity this year. You all know how near and dear Rafael and I hold this program so all of your support here tonight means more than you could know. Anyone that wants to contribute to the foundation tonight—whether it’s monetary form or you are interested in mentoring—please find Stefan before the night is over. Thank you again and please enjoy your night.”

Rafael steps up to the microphone. “And remember, canapés and cocktails are stationed by the entry door, please don’t insult me by leaving them there all night.” He winks as he backs away from the microphone.

The crowd falls into applause as the guys leave the stage and are immediately swept into conversation.

“They have a foundation?” I direct my question at Marina, but my eyes are stuck on Caio as he mingles his way through the crowd.

“Rafael and Caio have always been passionate about helping kids get a head start, and this program is how they do that.” She smiles with pride watching them.

I look again to where Caio is shaking the hand of a grey-haired man. This man intrigues me more with each passing day. There’s more to his character than I thought.

As if feeling my attention on him, his gaze flicks to mine. He quickly bids goodbye to his companion and begins in my direction, abandoning any networking he was doing.

“Care to dance?” He extends his hand in front of me, ignoring anyone else that has been vying for his attention.

“No one else is dancing,” I look around the room at everyone standing around tables. “Plus, this isn’t really music we can dance to.”

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