Page 25 of When Love Changes Everything

“Oh, one more thing,” Vivian adds, “I’ll need to confirm the valuation. Just a moment… Yes, here it is—fifty-five thousand dollars. If that amount is incorrect, please have him call me back so I can update the paperwork before his visit.”

I end the call, frozen in shock, as her words echo in my mind. Fifty-five thousand dollars?

Slowly, I lift my hand, staring at the ring on my finger, the weight of it suddenly feeling so much heavier than just a beautiful piece of jewelry. Fifty-five thousand dollars? The number swirls in my mind, and I inhale slowly, fighting to keep from spiraling into a full-blown panic attack.

His words to my father echo through my thoughts:"I wanted something as rare and extraordinary as she is."

Chapter 10

Mateo

I sprint along the river’s edge, the morning sun already high enough to cast a warm glow over the water. The day is awake—birds chirping in the trees, people out for their morning walks—but my thoughts are stuck in the quiet intensity of last night. Kissing Lisa wasn’t just a kiss; it was a promise. The sweetness of her lips against mine, the softness of her body melding with mine, the quiet sigh she gave when I pulled away—it was all the confirmation I needed to solidify what I already knew.

Come hell or high water, I will marry her. Let the skeptics doubt and the naysayers build their walls. No force in this world—no resistance from those who claim to know better—will stop me from making her mine.

As the last mile looms ahead, I spot Aaron Baldwin running at a steady clip, heading toward me on the opposite side of the path, just as I push forward in my own direction.

When he catches my glance, he slows his pace. "Hey, Mateo," he says, his breathing remarkably steady.

"Good morning," I reply as he stops in front of me. Lisa’s words flash in my mind: "Aaron for sure would kill you."

"How are you, man?" he asks.

"I'm doing well, thanks. What about you? Almost done with your run?"

"Not quite," he says with a grin. "I was planning to tackle the hill one more time before heading back."

"Mind if I join you? Then maybe I can treat you to a cup of coffee afterward?"

"Yeah, absolutely!"

***

"How are the twins doing?" I ask as I pull out a chair on the patio of a nearby café. The sun shines brightly, taking the edge off what would otherwise be a chilly morning. The outdoor heaters hum softly, efficiently keeping the space warm.

"They're keeping us busy," he exclaims, pride and happiness unmistakable in his voice. "We can't wait for them to start sleeping through the night. Elizabeth probably would, if itweren’t for her big brother—older by a minute and a half—who wakes up every two hours like clockwork."

"It's Aaron, right?" I ask, vaguely recalling that they’d named the boy after Aaron and the girl after Loren’s grandmother.

"Yes," Aaron confirms with a smile. "Loren insisted on naming him after me. We’ve already started calling him A.J.—Aaron Junior. And Holly’s taken to calling her little sister Ellie."

That’s great," I say with a smile. "Despite the sleepless nights, you look happy."

"I’m blessed," he replies, his tone rich with humility and gratitude. Then, with a knowing look, he adds, "So, you want to talk to me about Lisa?"

The shift in conversation catches me off guard, but I nod in agreement. "I’ve asked her to marry me," I say, watching his face closely for any sign of disapproval. Finding none, I continue, "She hasn’t said yes yet, but she hasn’t said no either."

I go on to tell him about Stan’s visit, his cutting words to Lisa, and how what began as a fake engagement has grown into something real—something we both want.

I watch as Aaron gazes off into the distance, as though drawing out an old memory. "The day I officially met Lisa," he begins, leaning back in his seat and absentmindedly folding a napkin with one hand, "she taught me all about oxytocin—the lovehormone. She boldly told me that she could tell I was in love with Loren because my eye color would change every time I talked about her." A hint of a smile plays at his lips. "I didn’t believe it at first, but then I saw it—in Loren’s eyes when she looked at me. It’s the same look I see in Lisa’s eyes when she talks about you. It’s been there for years. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s taken this long."

"And you're not opposed to it?" I ask, bracing myself for the truth.

"I'm Lisa's friend, not her father," he replies. "I fully trust that she can make her own decisions. She's a good judge of character, and if she’s fallen in love with you, she sees something in you worth loving. I’ll support her every step of the way." His tone is friendly, but his gaze is intense, filled with the fierce protectiveness he feels for Lisa. "Just don’t hurt her."

I nod, getting the message loud and clear. "Well," I begin, "there’s still the issue of our age difference, Lily’s reaction to the news, and the fact that I live in Mérida—and let's not forget the mess I created with Marian. All of these have been significant deterrents."

"No one blames you for what happened with Marian," he says, offering me a sympathetic smile. "Lily is pretty perceptive. I don't think the news will shock her. There’s a fourteen-year age difference between Loren and me, but the bottom line is, we make each other very happy. The only thing left is the fact that you live in a completely different country. How do you plan to make it work?"

---