CHAPTER 12

The Arizona heat had started to settle into my bones, making it feel less like an enemy and more like an old acquaintance I was learning to tolerate. But after last night’s encounter with Nolan Sanchez, my mind was restless.

I wasn’t entirely sure why I let the incident occupy space in my thoughts. Maybe it was the way he looked at me—drunk, sure, but there was something else in his eyes that I couldn’t quite place. A sadness? A frustration? Either way, I had moved on. I had more important things to focus on, and I refused to let one foolish night of some stranger causing a scene throw me off balance.

Or at least, that’s what I told myself.

Until I saw him again.

I had just finished a meeting with Angela, discussing some expansion plans for the Hermosa Group’s luxury suites, when I decided to step outside the hotel for a much-needed breather. The sun was still relentless, but I welcomed the warmth against my skin.

And then, there he was.

Nolan Sanchez.

This time, he wasn’t stumbling around, nor was he causing any kind of scene. Instead, he stood near the hotel entrance, hands in his pockets, wearing a clean button-down and dark jeans that made him look like a completely different person from the wreck I saw last night. He looked…put together.

But I wasn’t about to entertain this. Not after the stunt he pulled. I exhaled sharply and made my way toward my car, deciding to ignore his presence altogether.

“Hey,” his voice came, deep and firm but not demanding.

I didn’t stop.

“Demi.”

That made me halt for just a second. How did he know my name? Probably from the whispers of the hotel staff after his little outburst. I turned to face him, crossing my arms.

“I don’t have time for whatever this is,” I said, keeping my tone flat.

“I just—I wanted to apologize.” His voice carried sincerity, and I hated that I noticed.

I sighed, glancing back at the hotel, contemplating whether I should just walk away. But he wasn’t moving, and he looked genuinely remorseful. Still, that didn’t mean I was obligated to care.

“You were drunk,” I said bluntly. “You caused a scene. And frankly, I don’t see why I need to be involved in your apology tour.”

“I get that.” He nodded. “And I don’t expect you to forgive me or anything. I just…I wasn’t in a good place last night, and I took it out on the wrong people. On you.”

I studied him carefully. He didn’t look like the type of guy who usually made a habit of apologizing. Something about his presence was confident, self-assured, like he was used to being in control. But there was an edge to him, a vulnerability he wasn’t fully masking.

I hated that I was curious.

“I appreciate the apology,” I said, keeping my walls up. “But like I said, I don’t have time for this.”

I turned to leave, but he wasn’t done.

“Can I buy you a coffee?”

I let out a dry laugh. “Excuse me?”

He took a step closer but still kept a respectful distance. “I just figured… I probably left a bad first impression. And I’d like the chance to fix that. Just coffee.”

I hesitated.

I should say no. I had work to do. I had a life to rebuild, and I wasn’t about to let some stranger slip into my routine, no matter how persistent he was. But something in his voice, in the way he wasn’t pushing but simply offering, made me reconsider.

One coffee wouldn’t hurt.

I exhaled. “Fine. One coffee. But if you say anything remotely irritating, I’m walking out.”

A slow smirk formed on his lips. “Fair enough.”

---

We ended up at a small, locally owned coffee shop just a few blocks from the hotel. It had that rustic, homey feel, with wooden tables and the smell of roasted beans thick in the air. The kind of place I would have enjoyed on a quiet morning alone.

Nolan ordered a black coffee, and I went for an iced caramel latte. We found a corner table, and for the first few minutes, there was only silence as we sipped our drinks.

“So,” he finally said, setting his cup down. “Let’s start over. Nolan Sanchez.” He extended his hand across the table.

I eyed it warily before sighing and shaking it briefly. “Demi Perez.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Demi.” His voice had a hint of amusement.

I raised a brow. “I wouldn’t call this ‘nice’ just yet.”

He chuckled. “Fair. But I appreciate you giving me the chance to apologize properly.”

I leaned back in my chair. “You seem like a completely different person from last night.”

He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, well…let’s just say it wasn’t one of my finer moments.”

I didn’t press for details, but I could tell there was more to the story. He looked like the type of man who carried weight on his shoulders, even if he tried to hide it.

“So what’s your deal?” I asked, sipping my drink.

He smirked. “My deal?”

“Yeah. Why were you at the hotel getting drunk and making a scene?”

His expression faltered slightly, but he didn’t shy away from the question. “Long story short? Business deal gone wrong. Let’s just say I put my trust in the wrong people, and it cost me.”

I studied him, trying to determine if that was the full truth or just a safe version of it. Either way, I nodded. “Well, maybe next time, don’t take out your bad night on strangers.”

“Noted,” he said with a small smile. “And you? What’s your deal?”

I tensed slightly, not expecting the question to be turned on me. “What do you mean?”

“You’re running a hotel empire, but you don’t seem like the type who always wanted to be in the business.”

I scoffed. “What makes you say that?”

“The way you looked around the hotel yesterday. Like you were still figuring out if you belonged there.”

I hated how observant he was. “I’m where I need to be.”

He nodded, as if accepting my answer even though he didn’t fully believe it. “Fair enough.”

Silence settled again, but this time, it wasn’t awkward. It was…comfortable.

I checked my watch. “I should get back.”

Nolan leaned back in his chair. “I won’t stop you.”

I stood, grabbing my cup. “Thanks for the coffee.”

He smirked. “Thanks for not walking out.”

I rolled my eyes but found myself fighting a small smile as I turned toward the door.

As I walked back to the hotel, I couldn’t shake the strange feeling in my chest.

Nolan Sanchez was unexpected. And something told me this wouldn’t be the last time I saw him.