Chapter 1

SOFIA

I walked into the Rivera family home for the time and my tummy felt funny. Daniels hand was on my back which made me feel a bit better. The house was really nice. There were lights, shiny floors and yummy food smells from the kitchen. Mrs. Rivera saw us. Came over with a big smile. She hugged me tight.

"Sofia! I'm so glad to meet you " she said. "Daniel has told us a lot about you. You're family now come on in!"

Mr. Rivera stood up from the table. Shook my hand. "Sofia Alvarez, welcome to our home. We're glad you're here. Daniel you didn't make her look any less pretty than the pictures."

I smiled. "Thanks, Mr. Rivera. I'm happy to be. Your house is beautiful. The food smells great."

Daniel pulled out a chair for me. "See? I told you they'd love you. Sit down. My mom made your foods."

We all sat down. There were already plates and silverware, on the table. Mrs. Rivera started passing food. Con pollo, plantains, salad and warm bread. "Eat much as you want Sofia. I made the chicken spicy because Daniel said you like a heat."

I took a bite. It was so good. "Mrs. Rivera this is amazing. Can you give me the recipe sometime?"

She laughed. "Of course! I'll give it to you. Daniel told us you're really kind and support him when he works late."

Mr. Rivera nodded. "That's great. Daniel still talks about you like its the day they met. Sofia what are you studying again? Literature?"

I nodded. "Yes I'm getting my Masters. I love reading about women."

Daniel squeezed my knee. "Shes being modest. She got an A-plus on her paper. Sofia keeps me balanced."

Mrs. Rivera clapped her hands. "That's great! A good partner makes you better. Sofia you fit in already. Pass the salad to her Daniel. How did you two meet again? Daniels story is always short."

I laughed softly and took the bowl. "It was at a campus coffee shop. I spilled my latte over my notes and Daniel helped clean it up. He bought me an one and we just… talked for hours. Best accident ever.”

Mr. Rivera chuckled. "Sounds like fate. We’re glad he finally brought you home. This is your time here and we want you to feel completely welcome. Eat up! There’s more where that came from.”

We kept eating and talking the laughter flowing easily. Mrs. Rivera asked about my family home. I told her how my mom always sends recipes and worries if I eat enough. Mr. Rivera shared a story about Daniel as a kid trying to fix the family car and ending up covered in oil. Daniel. Laughed along.

“Dad come on I was twelve!" Daniel said. "Sofia doesn’t need to hear about my moments yet.”

I grinned and took another roll. "Actually I do. Keep going Mr. Rivera. I want all the details.”

Mrs. Rivera leaned in eyes sparkling. "Oh there are plenty.. Seriously Sofia we’re thrilled you’re here. Daniel lights up when he talks about you. You make him smile more than anyone else ever has. Have some chicken—you’re too polite!”

I accepted the serving. Felt my heart warm. "Thank you. This whole evening feels special. I was nervous about meeting everyone. You’ve made it so easy. The food is perfect. The company is even better.”

Daniel smiled at me across the table. "Told you they’d adore you. Mom, Dad—she’s the reason I’m pushing hard at work. We talk about the future all the time.”

Mr. Rivera raised his glass of wine. "To Sofia joining the family table. May this be the first of dinners. Cheers!”

“Cheers!" we all said, clinking glasses. The wine was smooth and warm and I took a sip while everyone chatted about weekend plans and Daniel’s upcoming promotion.

After a while as we were going back for seconds Daniel checked his watch. "This is great. When is Elena supposed to get here? I told her dinner was at seven. She knew tonight was important—Sofia’s time meeting everyone.”

The table got a quieter. Mrs. Rivera. Set down her fork. "Who knows with your sister? She’s probably off on that motorcycle again doing who-knows-what. That girl never sticks to a schedule.”

Mr. Rivera shook his head. Cut into more chicken. "Elena’s always been the sheep. We love her. She makes everything harder than it needs to be. Tattoos, that bike staying out late with her friends—girls mostly. She doesn’t care about the family image we’ve worked hard to build.”

Mrs. Rivera nodded, passing me plantains even though my plate was full. "Exactly. Daniel was the one—good grades, hard work, a nice steady girlfriend like Sofia. Elena? She pushes every button. Psychology classes are fine. The rest of her life… well let’s just say she marches to her own drum. We hope she settles down one day. Tonight? Who knows if she’ll even show up properly.”

Daniel. Reached for more rice. "Yeah she’s been distant. I wish she’d least try for Mom’s sake. Sofia’s here. It’s supposed to be a nice family night. But you know Elena.”

I smiled politely. Took another bite not wanting to step on any toes. "I’m sure she’ll come soon. Family’s family right? I’d love to meet her.”

Mrs. Rivera patted my hand. "You’re sweet Sofia. That’s why we already adore you. Elena could learn a thing or two from your nature. Here have some salad—you’re eating like a bird!”

We kept eating the conversation picking up again. Mr. Rivera asked about my literature classes. I told him about my favorite books. Daniel teased me gently about how I stay up late reading and Mrs. Rivera shared her own favorite old recipes from her mother. Laughter came easy more as Mr. Rivera told another story about Daniel’s first job interview and how he practiced in front of the mirror for days.

Just as I took the bite of cake the door burst open with raw energy. A gust of cool night air rushed in carrying the smell of leather and exhaust. I looked up fork halfway to my mouth and there she was—Elena Rivera striding into the dining room like she owned the place but didn’t care if anyone agreed. Her dark wavy hair was windswept and wild from the motorcycle ride falling messily past her shoulders. Sharp features caught the light—high cheekbones, full lips curved in a half-smirk and those intense dark eyes that swept the room in one quick fearless glance. Her olive skin glowed under the chandelier, smooth and warm against the leather jacket that hugged her toned body. The jacket was unzipped enough to show a tight black tank top underneath and her ripped dark jeans clung to long legs that moved with confident almost cocky purpose. Visible tattoos snaked across her skin: a fierce black rose with thorns wrapping around her forearm a small motorcycle silhouette on the inside of her wrist and what looked like delicate script in another language curving along her collarbone disappearing under the tank top. She was… hot. Like dangerously hot. The kind of hot that made my stomach flip in a way I had never felt before. My eyes traced her without meaning to—those tattoos, the way her muscles shifted under the leather the rebellious energy rolling off her in waves. She was nothing like Daniel’s charm. She was fire and trouble and something that made heat flush through my cheeks and down my neck.

The whole table went still for a second. Mrs. Rivera’s smile tightened. "Elena you’re late. Again. We started without you.”

Elena didn’t even flinch. She kicked the door shut behind her with the heel of her boot the sound echoing like a challenge. "Traffic was a nightmare Mom.. I had to finish up some reading for class. You know, psychology stuff." Her voice was low and smooth a husky from the ride. She dropped her helmet on the side table with a thud and walked straight toward us boots clicking on the hardwood floor. Her eyes locked on mine immediately and I swear my heart skipped. She scanned me slowly. Heat pooled low in my belly my skin tingling like I’d been touched even though she was still five feet away. What was going on? I thought, my cheeks burning hotter. This is Daniel’s sister. Stop it Sofia.

She stopped beside my chair close enough that I caught the scent of her. "You must be Sofia " she said, her voice dropping a notch as she extended her hand. A small silver ring glinted on her thumb. "I’m Elena. The infamous black sheep they probably warned you about already.”

I stood up quickly my legs a little shaky and took her hand. The subtle brush of her arm against mine sent an electric jolt racing across my skin to my chest. My breath caught. She was so close I could see the flecks of gold in her dark eyes and the way one corner of her mouth lifted in amusement like she knew exactly what she was doing to me. "Hi " I managed, my voice softer than I wanted. "It’s… nice to meet you Elena. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

She chuckled low still not letting go of my hand away. "All things I bet. Don’t believe everything they say. I’m not as scary as I look." Her eyes flicked down to my cheeks and back up again slow and deliberate. "You’re even prettier in person than Daniel described. No wonder he’s been hiding you.”

Mrs. Rivera cleared her throat loudly. "Elena, sit down. Eat something. You’re interrupting dessert.”

Elena finally released my hand. She didn’t step back immediately. Instead she leaned in a little her breath brushing my ear as she whispered, "Don’t let them scare you off Sofia. I don’t bite… unless you ask nicely." She straightened, flashed that smirk again and dropped into the empty chair across from me like nothing had happened.

What was that? I thought, pressing my thighs under the table. This was supposed to be a family dinner.. As Elena reached for a slice of cake and caught my eye again that same spark flared hotter. I was in trouble and I hadn’t even said more, than ten words to her yet.