Hector

He’d walked over to where she and his other chess teammates stood with one purpose only—to face off with her. Then to his surprise, she’d been nice, more than nice. Even when she congratulated him on his incredibly impressive win, it came off genuinely sincere. To make matters worse, she’d been playful. And if he weren’t mistaken, she was having just as hard a time of keeping her eyes off him as he was keeping his off her.

Hector knew he was treading dangerous waters here, and he could already feel it. If he got some time alone with her, even just a moment, he might do or say something he shouldn’t.

Glancing at Walter, who was listening to the exclusive announcement of Abel’s signing as the next contender for the heavyweight title, he was hit with reality again. Walter was making the first real effort in his entire life to get into shape, and he was doing it for Charlee. As hard and as embarrassing as Hector knew it had been for Walter, he bit the bullet and asked Hector for help.

The big guy had nearly collapsed yesterday from the workout Hector gave him. But he said he’d be back today to work out again alone before Hector’s fight, since Hector wouldn’t be able to join him. Surprisingly, Hector had seen him in there before his fight, pushing hard on the treadmill. Being a part-time trainer, Hector knew the enthusiasm a client has when they first start working out is what keeps the momentum going. Nothing would kill Walter’s momentum faster now than to stomp on his motivation.

Who knew? Maybe if Walter did drop a lot of weight, he just might have a chance with Charlee. The two did have a lot in common. Both were brainy and very good at chess. And while Hector couldn’t be sure, because he didn’t know too much about her, Charlee seemed a bit shy like Walter. At the very least, she was far more reserved than any of the girls Hector usually hung out with.

Unable to help himself even after he’d pretty much mentally made a case for why he should put any further thoughts of pursuing anything with Charlee to rest, he casually glanced in her direction. Like everyone else, her attention was focused on the front of the room where Abel was now speaking about next year’s bout for the title. Hector should really be paying attention to his brother. This was huge. But he already knew all about what Abel was letting everyone else in on, and at the moment he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Charlee’s dress.

It was a simple enough dark blue wrap around that came together at her small waist with a thick belt. It was similar to the one Leticia wore so boldly that same night. Only as he’d observed before, Charlee’s was far more reserved. While Leticia’s was shorter and tighter and boasted a plunging neckline, Charlee’s was a bit longer, and though it was snug enough to show off her cute but breathtaking little figure, it wasn’t quite as body hugging as Leticia’s.

The neckline of Charlee’s dress wasn’t nearly as low as Leticia’s, but it was low enough to indulge Hector’s probing eyes with a nice tease of her milky white skin. Visions of the perky bare br**sts just under the soft fabric of her dress inundated Hector. They’d be just as white and feel just as soft as he imagined the skin his eyes now traced from the open neckline up her delicate neck to that stubborn but sweet chin would be. His eyes stopped at her lips, the very lips he’d been so close to tasting yesterday, and he gulped. As his eyes traveled upward, they met hers. She was watching him size her up, and surprisingly, the corner of her lips curved ever so slightly.

Hector knew he should look away—at least try to save face. He had no idea how long she’d been watching him, but her tiny smirk was all too telling. She’d seen enough, and as cold as she’d been toward him up until tonight, she seemed amused. Was it possible that what he’d thought he picked up on earlier was actually happening? Was the ice princess actually coming around?

Noticing the tinge of pink that colored her cheeks, he broke their stare. He had to. Abel was done talking and the music was back on.

“I changed my mind,” Walter whispered, leaning into him.

“About what?” Hector asked, turning full circle and away from Charlee.

Walter rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “About asking Charlee to dance tonight.”

Hector had forgotten all about that. When they talked about the party yesterday and Hector mentioned ways of making the most of it, one of the things he mentioned was they’d have a D.J. and a dance floor. Hector had even demonstrated the simple two-step he could do to any tune. Now that the announcement was out of the way, the lights had been dimmed, and people were already making their way onto the dance floor.

Wondering if he should encourage Walter to what more than likely would be a letdown or embarrassment or both, Hector thought for a moment then felt a small but firm hand slip into his. “Did you forget about me?”

Turning to see Leticia’s smiling face looking up at him, he forced a smile. It was a strange and unfamiliar feeling, but he suddenly worried that Miriam was close behind. Typically he had no qualms about being seen with one or more girls. Tonight, however, his take on this was oddly altered. Walter had already made it clear what he thought happened with Hector and the girls Saturday once they all left together. He’d ribbed Hector about it the day he showed up at the gym. Hector hadn’t bothered explaining, letting him think whatever he wanted. What difference did it make?

Now he was glad Charlee hadn’t stuck around to see him leave with them. She already hadn’t been very discreet about her distaste for Leticia Saturday night. Hector was sure she wouldn’t have approved of what almost happened that night, not that he needed her approval. He just preferred her friendly demeanor to the indifferent one, and he didn’t want to go back to that.