Miguel considers Joshua's words. Reluctantly, he acknowledges that this young employee is the only one who bothers to offer advice when it comes to Thalia. Not that he confides in anyone else. It's a lonely, bewildering situation, and he fears this trip might be his last shot with her. She'll probably be out of the picture by the end of Spring, or maybe even sooner.

Miguel would rather not have that intel, though. Counting down the days and wallowing in a slow, self-inflicted death doesn't sound like a vibe he's going for. Totally not appealing.

After the hike, they hit up Banff National Park to give Linda, Lorenzo, and Baljit the grand tour around Lake Louise. Following lots and lots of picture-taking at the beautiful tourist spot, which is incredibly packed, the expedition rolls to Banff Avenue for some downtown retail therapy.

The memories of Thalia and Miguel's recent road trip resurface, causing both to feel nostalgic and down. Miguel experienced an epiphany back then after learning more about Thalia, the extreme guilt almost killing him. Yet, he still had an incredible time.

Because he was with Thalia, and they shared an intimate night that had left an indelible mark on him.

Unfortunately, Miguel can't say the same for the present moment.

In the late afternoon, the group finally gets their hotel rooms sorted. The even numbers work out conveniently, pairing them off: Rey and Sheila, Linda and Baljit, and Lorenzo and Joshua. No surprise, Thalia and Miguel get thrown into the same room, and negotiation isn't even on the table.

The two silently unload their bags in their designated room, tactfully avoiding any mention of the single-bed situation. Technically, they've shared a bed countless times, so this shouldn't be an issue, but things have definitely taken a turn for the worse. They can barely look each other in the eye, preferring to return to the days when they were simply the timid employee (as Miguel thought of Thalia) and the insensitive boss (as Thalia labeled Miguel). Letting their pretend relationship reach this point feels like a colossal mistake.

For the Spring season, the weather surprises everyone with its mildness, and the group lands on an Italian restaurant patio for dinner. Miguel and Thalia find themselves seated together as a result of both surrendering to the inevitable. They can't outmaneuver everyone, especially those keenly aware of their rift. Linda and Joshua have probably made some secret pact to handle the situation. Thalia is low-key surprised they haven't stitched Miguel to her side by now.

"Cheers!" Glasses clink, some filled with beer, others with juice. Thalia takes a sip of her raspberry fruit beer, the sweet flavor providing a much-needed pick-me-up for her dampened mood. She's dead set on sticking to just... Two glasses this time, though. No need to make a scene.

"Thanks so much for bringing us here, Sheila and Rey," Baljit says.

"Oh, you should be thanking Miguel. He's the mastermind behind all of this," Sheila responds, shooting her son a proud smile. "Rey and I were genuinely shocked when he suggested it. You know he's not interested in the store and the staff."

The staff keeps quiet, exchanging awkward glances, unsure if it's appropriate to comment. Miguel interjects, scoffing, "You guys can speak up. I know I wasn't that great before."

Joshua chimes in with a laugh, "Haha! That was until..." He throws a sly look at Thalia, who deflects the attention by taking another sip. "But I gotta say, I like you better now."

"Thanks?" Miguel replies, shaking his head.

"While we're all here, why don't you help us nudge Miguel into taking over? Sheila and I are retiring soon..." Rey suggests, a cunning segue to apply pressure on his only son once again. The desperation in his and Sheila's eyes is evident, lacking any backup plan aside from hoping for a change of heart from their only heir.

To their surprise, Miguel nonchalantly brushes off the remark and unveils the plan he's been brewing. "I am taking over."

The entire table falls into a stunned silence, even Thalia, who can't help but sneak a glance his way.

"It's not a big deal. It's just the natural order of things," he adds, giving a nonchalant half-shrug. Although his initial motivation might be gone, he's resolute about running the business, with plans to expand and make it more widely recognized. Considering the growing Filipino communities in Edmonton and the untapped market for their local produce, it seems like a viable plan. Coupled with his online presence, he anticipates that it'll keep him distracted and busy.

At least he won't be stuck in a directionless rut. His life seems to have more purpose.

Yeah, right. He'll drown out his sorrows and losses with more work. What a bright and fun future he has ahead.

Joshua hoots, "Awesome!"

"What made you change your mind?" Sheila asks, eager to dive into the details of what prompted the shift.

This isn't how Miguel has envisioned revealing his decision, but with the cat out of the bag, he can't fend off their curiosity.

"I have an MBA, and this business... It's stable. And I would like to keep serving our customers. Families rely on us," he mutters, keeping the response professional, straightforward, and a bit dull. The table, once more, goes silent.

"I'll say it. I know what everyone's thinking," Linda starts. "That's such a boring answer."

Joshua bursts into laughter. "Oh man, we were waiting for something juicier. Like maybe because you want to be around Thalia all day, every day. Imagine living and working together!"

Miguel's lips press together.

He hadn't considered that, even before when he didn't know that she was going to leave.

He had only hoped to give Thalia a solid backup plan, a chance for her to figure things out at her own pace. But now, that purpose has evaporated.

Miguel orders another glass of beer from the server, and no one sees his stoic expression faltering.

"Now that we're on this topic, any details about the wedding?" Sheila prods.

Miguel and Thalia share an internal panic, exchanging looks. Miguel opens his mouth to take the lead. "That's a... Secret. We're working on it, yeah."

"Why the secrecy? If you want us to chip in, you've got to let us in on the plans," Rey insists, raising an eyebrow. Sheila playfully nudges him.

"We'll contribute some funds regardless," she says sternly, contradicting her husband. "But I'm excited!"

The table buzzes with wedding chatter, marriage discussions, and, heaven forbid, talks about kids. However, the two supposed recipients of information are too caught up in their own thoughts, plotting their escape from the situation.

"...And, where's the ring? Why isn't there a ring?" Joshua teases, pointing at Thalia's fingers. She immediately tucks her hands away in her lap, panicking.

Miguel's teeth clench, remembering the small velvet box in his pocket. Between the beer and the endless hours of driving, he's not in the mood for all this pretentiousness.

And why has he been carrying the ring around like some kind of talisman? Why, deep down, is he holding onto the tiny ember of hope that he can still give it to Thalia?

It makes zero sense.

He's so irrational. A hypocrite. A coward. Can't even stick to one decision.

"I actually–" he begins, but Thalia jumps in, "We're practical. That's all."

Another round of raucous chatter ensues, and Miguel ceases to try to speak out what he's wanted to say—I actually have a ring in my pocket. It's yours.

******

"This is a total disaster," Thalia grumbles, arranging her sneakers in the hotel cabinet. Despite the alcohol seeping into her system, she can't forget the basics of indoor etiquette — shoes out, slippers in.

"I know," Miguel agrees. "You should do better sticking to Linda."

She whips her hair and places her hands on her hips. "Excuse me? How is this my fault? You were the one who didn't have either Lorenzo or Joshua sit next to you on the ride."

"You were late," he counters, peeling off his parka and hanging it up. "And don't you girls like to gossip or something? How about you tell Linda and Baljit not to push us together anymore? I'll deal with my parents afterward, but you have to deal with the staff now."

"Why are you making me do it?" she hisses, pacing to her luggage to grab her sleepwear. "You take care of it. You're the boss. Flex that authority."

Thalia tosses her stuff onto the nightstand and turns to face Miguel, who's suddenly only in a shirt and a pair of boxer shorts.

"Don't tell me you're going to bed in that," she speaks in a severe warning tone. "You have to take a shower."

Miguel is planning to. But to get a rise out of Thalia, he retorts mockingly, "I don't want to. I drove for more than five hours today. I'm tired."

"You're disgusting!" she seethes. "Thank God I'm not marrying—" she catches herself, yet a flicker of hurt still crosses Miguel's face. He lowers his head, digs through his backpack for a fresh set of clothes, and wordlessly heads into the bathroom.

The lack of a snappy comeback somehow slaps Thalia with remorse. Isn't that the reality, though? That they're no longer heading down the aisle? Why did he have to pull that face and make her feel crappy?

Miguel emerges from the bathroom after a few minutes, crestfallen, and Thalia receives another pinch in her heart. She takes her shower next, dragging it out a bit longer only to make sure Miguel will be out cold by the time she's done.

Another letdown.

When she comes out, Miguel is sipping on another can of beer, probably one swiped from the room fridge, as he chills on the chair by the window. Thalia combs her hair, still damp, and plops down on the bed. Her legs, covered in pajamas, dangle off the edge.

"Not rocking the lingerie tonight?" Miguel taunts, and a blush immediately engulfs her cheeks. She isn't ready for that opening line.

Thalia fires him a glare. So much for holding onto guilt.

"Nope. That's reserved for my fiancé's eyes. And surprise, surprise..."

"I am not," Miguel asserts, standing up and tossing the can into the bin under the TV stand. "But we're still really not doing a good job at breaking up."

"And that's on you," Thalia murmurs, her voice dropping low as Miguel strides over to her. "You're terrible at this breakup thing for someone who's done it before."

She isn't referring to herself but to Steph. Yet, he still takes offense.

"It's on you," he retaliates, now looking down at her, his eyes simmering with emotions Thalia can't quite decode. Anger? Frustration? The jury's still out.

Miguel squats down to meet her gaze, a hand caressing her back to draw her closer. She swallows, eyes dropping to the tip of his nose, to his clenched jawline, and to his parted lips. Her mind goes into overdrive.

Damn, it's been a while. She misses him... hates him, too, but she freaking misses him more and the way he can make her feel.

"It's your fault. And it's probably mine, too," Miguel confesses.

Thalia licks her bottom lip, giving it a thoughtful bite, fighting the urge to get a taste. A final taste. Things had ended so abruptly that she couldn't even get a touch in.

Bet he's feeling the same way. Regardless of love or not, she's a pro at turning him on, and she wants to confirm that's still in play.

"At least you're aware. Didn't have to be so stubborn about it," Thalia murmurs, grasping her hair and moving it to one side, revealing her neck.

Miguel grunts, his veins pulsating under his skin. The familiarity of this game irks him. "Jesus, you really want to have the last word."

She smirks. "Deal with it."

"Can't you just stop talking?" he mutters. He's unable to think straight when she smells so good, looks so fine, while her mouth is firing bullets like a machine gun.

What was he thinking when he proposed to her?

She'll drive him crazy every damn day. He won't ever outsmart her.

But even then, he wants Thalia. He wants to be selfish, keep her close, and give her another shot at life. A life with him.

"Why should I?"

"Just... Let me think."

Miguel's ability to suppress his true emotions is fading fast, and his tolerance for Thalia is wearing thin. With alcohol fueling his depleted courage, resistance to his desires has become futile.

"Well, you gotta try and shut me up," she dares.

"I will definitely shut you up," he growls, pupils dilated, his grip on her back tightening. "One more word, and you'll get what you're looking for."

"What am I looking for?"

"One more."

Relentless, Thalia opens her mouth, but Miguel fulfills his warning, sealing her lips with a blistering kiss.

******

A/N: Yes, I am admitting it now. I have definitely allocated more space for Miguel in this story. This is the very first time I've made the MC more visible than the FMC, so it's probably why we see more of his feelings for her than the other way around. On that note, do you think he likes her more than she likes him?