Page 97 of The Fiance Dilemma

“I’ll take the blame!” I exclaimed, turning immediately around.

I hadn’t seen Matthew since we’d parted ways after driving here. He’d picked me up at the house, just like every time we’d had to run errands. My cheeks heated at the memory of how he’d looked at me this morning when I’d walked through the door. Matthew never waited inside the car. He always, always leaned on the passengerdoor and watched me make my way to him, opening the door for me without breaking eye contact. A beat-up Prius had never made me blush like his did.

Like Matthew did.

Flashes of that day at Fairhill, in Stu’s deli, crowded my mind, making my breathing a little too labored for someone strolling around a farm. I doubled my pace, as an excuse to justify it, or as a result of the urgency and excitement bubbling in my belly. I… wanted Matthew. It’d be idiotic to deny it at this point. I wanted his hands on me. Again. I wantedhimon me, honestly. I wanted that kiss he wasn’t giving me. I—

I spotted the back of his head, right by the grassy section of farmland where the long tables for the rehearsal dinner would be installed. A tent to cover supplies and crates from the weather had been set up, and he was sitting there, next to it with someone else. A smaller head of messy brown hair barely contained by a French braid.María.I smiled to myself just as she moved, allowing me a glimpse of Pedro Pigscal.

Those two were totally hiding here, sneaking away from Bobbi, I was sure, and neglecting the long lists of tasks I knew she’d handed them, too. I chuckled to myself and approached slowly, wanting to catch them by surprise.

“Trust me on this, Mr. Matthew,” I heard María say in the distance. “I ran both your astral charts. She’s a gemini sunandmoon. And virgo ascendant. I’m very thorough with my work.”

Matthew’s laugh followed, the sound making my stomach swirl. “How old are you again?”

“Old enough for you to be smart and listen to me,” María answered.

Another chuckle traveled through the wind. “I like you, kid.”

“I kinda like you too, I guess,” María answered. “And it’s not because you have soul-mate compatibility with Miss Josie.”

María’s words brought my body to a stop. I hadn’t been planning on eavesdropping, but when María continued I couldn’t make myself move. “I’m only doing this because I think you can make her happy. And she deserves happy. So just listen to me,’kay?”

Matthew’s answer was solemn, “Okay, hit me. I’m listening.”

“Miss Josie loves all kinds of stuff,” María said. “But unlike most grown-ups, she thinks magic is real. Like me. And no, I’m not talking about Santa. I’m talking about real magic. Like witchy things, but also manifestation and all of that. We watch videos and talk about it all the time. Miss Adalyn doesn’t believe in that stuff, but that’s okay. That’s why she has us.” A pause. “Anyway, what I mean is that this will be important to her. You should tell her that you’re soul mates.”

I swallowed, my heart pounding strangely as I waited for Matthew’s answer.

“Why do you think she should know that?” Matthew asked, voice serious. “Besides her believing in magic.”

“Because I’d like to know,” María said, as if it was obvious. “You know, I was too little when Miss Josie was engaged to all these people everyone keeps talking about, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s going on. Adults think I don’t pay attention when they gossip, but I have two ears, just like them. And it sounds to me like those men could have done something about it, you know?”

“Something like what?”

“Like not standing there like a dummy while she ran, I dunno.” She blew air through her lips, the sound frustrated. “Maybe Miss Josie acted all strong after leaving those guys, but I’m sure she cries when she’s alone. Not always. But sometimes. Just like my dad does sometimes too, when he misses my mom. Miss Josie lost her mom, too, just like me. So maybe she runs because she’s scared. I guess Iwould if I’d had my heart broken. But I don’t know, I’m eleven and I’ve never been in love.”

My gaze fell to the ground, my feet itching to bolt if not for the fact I was rooted to the place, heart drumming in my ears.

Matthew’s voice was low, almost hushed. “You’re very insightful for an eleven-year-old, kiddo.”

“I know,” María said. “Here. Hold Pedro, it’ll feel nice. He’s warm. And you guys did a good job babysitting him the other day.”

I heard Matthew clear his throat. “Hey María? Do you think I can mend it? Her heart?”

She hummed in thought. “I guess? But I’m only a kid, Mr. Matthew. Maybe you should ask her. Or tell her you want to. That way if she gets scared, she won’t leave you too.”

That way if she gets scared, she won’t leave you too.

Before I could dissect how or why that made me so incredibly sad, or what followed those words, I was on the move.

My break probably hadn’t been the best idea anyway.

I set the last folding chair in its place with a shaky breath.

María’s overheard words had left me… a little rattled, to say the least.

I was also never folding or unfolding chairs ever again. In fact, I was getting rid of them after all of this was over. I’d ask Robbie to help me organize a nice bonfire, and we’d chuck them all into the fire and watch them burn.

---