For the first time in her adult life, she let someone see her cry, not a pretty cry either, but ugly and raw. Without a word, Rodrigo pulled her into his strong arms. For long moments, he just held her, stroking her hair as she wept against his shirt.
Finally, her sobs faded. Silence fell. With her cheek pressed against his chest, she could feel the steady, comforting beat of his heart.
“You didn’t fail them, Lola,” he said in a low voice. “You tried your best, when you were barely more than a kid yourself. You need to stop blaming yourself.” He gently kissed the top of her head. “You’ll hear from them soon.”
Drawing back, she said breathlessly, “You think so?”
“Definitely.” He gave her a crooked grin. “After the present you gave them, I don’t see how they could resist.”
Wiping her eyes, she gave a small laugh, like a sob.
Reaching out, he cupped her cheek. “And you have a new family now,” he whispered. “Jett.” His eyes met hers. “Me.”
Their eyes locked. “You’re my family?”
“I want to be,” he said quietly, then shook his head. “Obviously I’m not very good at it. But I’ve never had one before.”
“What are you talking about? You had parents. You were rich. You inherited a fortune—”
A flash of emotion crossed his hard, handsome face, but was quickly veiled. “Being wealthy isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.”
Rodrigo had been hurt, too, she realized. Somehow, in his childhood, he’d been hurt. Her arms tightened protectively around him in turn.
“We have to look out for each other,” she said. “Watch each other’s backs. Just like we used to, when we worked together. Do you remember?”
“You and me against the world?” She nodded, and his dark eyes flickered. “Remember what you said the first day you came to work for me?”
A whisper of a smile traced her lips. “I said you were a disaster and you’d hired me just in the nick of time.”
“It was true. Since you left, my company hasn’t done nearly as well. Neither have I.”
“You have Marnie,” she said, striving to keep the bitterness from her voice.
He shook his head. “She’s had to hire two extra assistants just to keep up with what you did on your own. She’s loyal and tries hard, but she doesn’t have your skill. People still ask for you. You always remembered everything.” Looking down at her, he said softly, “I miss you. I achieved more with you at my side.”
“I’m back at your side now.”
“You’re right,” he said slowly. He took a deep breath, then said humbly, “I have a business trip next week to Madrid. Would you come with me? You and Jett?”
Lola put down her arms, looking uncertain. “Madrid?”
Rodrigo tried to look modest. “I’m getting the award for CEO of the Year from the International Studio Guild.”
It was an incredibly prestigious award. She sucked in her breath in delight. “You are?”
Reaching out, he tucked a tendril of blond hair behind her ear. “You’re a big reason for it.”
She tried not to tremble at his touch. “Me?”
Rodrigo gave a nod. “You helped me organize and acquire a television network that now stretches around the Pacific Rim, from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska to Manila. You’re the one who convinced me to produce a film no one else wanted, which cost almost nothing to make but has now made almost half a billion dollars worldwide.”
Her eyes were big. “The Sapphire Sea?”
“Turns out that romance is back in style.”
Her lips lifted. “Who knew?”
“So will you be my date?”