Page 22 of When Love Changes Everything

"I wish you’d told me you were coming," Meredith says, her voice softening as she tilts her head, giving me that familiar, flirtatious look. "We could’ve made plans to get together. It’s always so good to see you."

But this time, her gaze doesn’t spark anything in me. I offer a polite smile, aware of Lisa’s steady presence beside me, pulling me in a way Meredith never could.

“Your daughter got married, right?” Meredith says, slipping into the chair across from us without invitation, her curiosity unmistakable. “We heard all about it at the office—marrying Jon Linder’s brother, no less."

"Yes, it was a beautiful ceremony." My gaze shifts to Lisa, catching her warm smile as she listens quietly.

But Meredith’s gaze remains steady on me, a playful spark lighting up her eyes. “You know, if you’d called,” she says, leaning in just slightly, “I would’ve been more than happy to be your plus one.”

I chuckle, giving her a polite smile as I shake my head. “Guess I’ll just have to remember to send you an invite for the next one I attend,” I reply smoothly. Beneath the table, my fingers find Lisa’s, interlacing with hers in a gesture that feels both natural and grounding.

“Oh, yeah?” Meredith leans in, curious. “Is there another wedding coming up that I don't know about?” Her gaze darts between us, eager for details.

I smile and watch as Lisa lifts her glass, taking a slow sip of water.

Meredith’s eyes narrow, zeroing in on the brilliant sparkle on Lisa’s finger. “Lisa?!” she exclaims, her voice pitching higher with every word. “Is that… an engagement ring? Oh my goodness, of course it is! Look at that rock! I didn’t even know you were dating anyone!”

The silence that follows is almost deafening. Lisa and I exchange a soft, knowing glance, but neither of us says a word. Meredith’s expression falters, the gears visibly turning in her mind. Then,like a light switch, realization dawns. Her eyes widen, flicking between us as the truth sinks in.

“Oh,” she murmurs, blinking in stunned disbelief. “It’s you two. Wow.” Her gaze shifts to me, her brow arching. “Mateo, what happened to ‘I’m not one to settle down,’ or ‘I’m not looking for a long-term commitment,’ or—oh, and my favorite—‘I’m not a man for just one woman’?”

She turns sharply to Lisa, her shock morphing into curiosity. “And you, Lisa… wow. When did this happen? Wait—never mind. I guess it doesn’t matter.” She pauses, then shakes her head with a bewildered laugh. “Well, I guess congratulations are in order. Do you two have a date picked out yet?”

Lisa smiles, her cheeks flushing faintly. “Not yet,” she replies. “Mateo just proposed today, so you’re one of the very first to know. But…” Her tone almost pleading. “Can you keep it quiet for now? We’d like to tell our families and close friends ourselves.”

Meredith’s expression softens, and she grins. “Of course. Your secret’s safe with me,” she adds with a wink, her playful tone returning.

She gives us both a lingering look, then rises from her chair with a smile that’s almost too bright, leaving us in a slightly awkward but satisfying silence.

***

After dinner, we wander down Main Street, the crisp evening air carrying a hint of winter as it brushes past us. A quiet stillness blankets the town, broken only by the soft hum of traffic and the occasional chatter of late-night stragglers. Most of the shops are dark now, their windows shadowed, while a few linger in the warm, golden glow of the streetlights.

Lisa gazes at the shops we pass, her eyes catching the light in a way that makes them seem almost luminous, lost in some quiet thought. There’s something mesmerizing about the way she moves through the world—graceful, independent, and so effortlessly captivating that it takes all my willpower not to reach for her. To feel the comforting warmth of her skin against mine, but her hands are buried deep in her coat pockets. Shielded from the cold—and, it feels, from me. The distance is subtle yet sharp, like a door quietly closing between us.

"You got quiet on me,hermosa," I say, my voice breaking the stillness between us. The way her gaze drifts, the way she presses her lips together—it’s written all over her face. She’s holding back, but I know her well enough to know I won’t be left guessing for long.

She stops walking, turning to face me, her back resting lightly against the cool stone of the building. Her eyes meet mine. "Mateo," she says. "Why haven’t you ever kissed me?"

The question catches me off guard, and for a moment, all I can do is drink her in—the way the streetlights frame her face, the vulnerability in her eyes.

"I want to kiss you so badly it aches," I murmur, almost to myself, the words slipping out like a confession.

She pauses, her eyes widening just slightly. “Then why haven’t you?” she whispers.

“There are… several reasons I've kept my distance,” I say, my voice low as I step closer. “You’re my daughter’s best friend, and she doesn't think I have it in me to be with just one woman.”

"Do you?" She asks, her eyes searching for reassurance. “Have it in you?”

“You’re the only woman who hasn't only captured my attention," I say, my voice rough with honesty, "you've captured my heart. I'm not just attracted to you,hermosa. I love you.”

Her lips curl into a smile. “You said there were several reasons.”

I take a deep breath, the words tumbling out. "You’re young," I murmur. "I’m not. When Lily fell in love with Noah, I couldn’t stop harping on their age difference. It was a real issue for me. And now? Here I am, eating my own words, because I’ve realized age doesn’t matter. I don’t care that you’re younger or that I’m older. All I know is that I love you."

Her smile softens, a spark of mischief lighting her eyes. "I’m not into older men," she says, her tone playful, but the sincerity is unmistakable. "But you—you,Mateo Cruz. You’ve made a home in my heart. I simply don’t care about our age. All I know is that I love you." She tilts her head slightly, her gaze holding mine. "What else?"

“You’re like a daughter to Noah’s family. If I ever hurt you, there would be hell to pay. The men in that family don't play.”

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