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It’s not on me, I know that, but it doesn’t make it any easier. My old friends and the fans deserve better than this.

Still, leaving was the right decision for me and I don’t regret it. I’m happier and healthier and I have Lexa. God, I have Lexa. How could I ever regret leaving?

I shake it off and put on a warm sweater, jeans, and sneakers. When I get to the lobby, Raul is sitting at a table near the window, sipping his coffee. He waves me over.

“Hola, hermanita,” he says.

“Good morning, big brother.” I sit down across from him. He nods, then waves the waiter over. “What do you want?”

“Just a coffee, please,” I say. “Three sugars.”

“Another one for me, please,” Raul adds. “Black. She takes enough sugar for both of us.”

The waiter nods and goes to get our coffee. Raul looks at the dregs in his cup and I notice dark circles under his eyes.

Looking at him more closely, I can tell he’s lost weight. Between getting Sofia up to date with the restaurant, the team, and Alycia, he has a lot on his plate.

“You need to rest more,” I say. “You’re working too much.”

He shrugs. “I’m fine. I enjoy it.”

“Yeah, but you need to take care of yourself, too. And Alycia. How’s she doing, anyway?”

He smiles. “The baby is healthy, she’s healthy. She’s been amazing with the press and the sponsors.” The smile slips. “Declan was waiting at her car on Friday.”

“He what?”

“He wanted her back.” Raul turns his mug in a slow circle on the table. “She told him where to go. Then she came to lunch and said she was fine three times before the croquetas arrived, which is how I know she wasn’t.”

“I want to find Declan Woods and tell him exactly what I think of him, in two languages!”

A small smile tugs at the corner of Raul’s mouth. “I’d like to see that.”

“Alycia has been through a lot and she deserves some happiness. And so do you.

“How are you two?” I ask. “I mean, living together and having a baby. Most people get married first,” I tease.

He sighs. “It’s complicated. We’re not together, Val. We’re just getting to know each other so we can be friends. Friends who are going to be parents.”

I frown. “But you like her, right? You want more than friendship?”

He hesitates, then nods. “Yes, I do. But I don’t know if she does. And I don’t want to pressure her. She’s just out of a divorce, and she’s pregnant. I don’t want to add to her stress.”

I understand his point, but…Alycia is a strong woman and can handle herself. She wouldn’t let him do anything she doesn’t want. From the way she looks at him, the way she talks about him, and the way she smiles around him, I’m pretty sure she likes him too. She’s just afraid to take the risk.

But she should. He’s a good man.

“You only live once, Raul,” I say. “You should tell her how you feel. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“She could say no,” he says.

“Then at least you’ll know. And you can move on. But you won’t know if you don’t try.”

He gives me a skeptical look. “Since when did you become a relationship expert?”

“Since I found the love of my life,” I say. “I took a leap—a rather significant one—when I joined the Breakers and it worked out for me. You should do the same.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t want to lose her friendship,” he says quietly. “It means a lot to me.”