Page 47 of When Love Changes Everything

Lisa steps into the room, her blue eyes blazing with fury, the crisp winter air trailing her like an uninvited guest. Her gaze flicks over me, sharp and assessing, before she brushes past, her focus locked onto Marian with the intensity of a storm ready to strike.

"Marian," Lisa says, her tone calm but laced with razor-sharp edges, "what an unexpected… surprise. You do realize Davey lives in the main house, not here."

Marian’s lips curve into a smug smile, and she clutches her designer purse like a weapon. "I came to drop off my room key," she purrs, the words dripping with false sweetness. "Mateo needs his own copy for as often as he’s visiting."

Lisa’s eyes narrow, her head shaking slightly, as if weighing Marian’s words and finding them utterly ridiculous. "And when exactly would that have been?" she asks, crossing her arms tightly over her chest, her posture defiant. "I’d love to hear the timeline for your little fantasy."

Marian waves the key around carelessly, her fingers flicking it as though the situation is beneath her. "Oh, I don’t know," she replies with a casual shrug. "It’s hard to keep track."

Lisa’s eyes flash with quiet fury. "Your lies are starting to catch up with you, Marian," she says.

Marian’s lips twitch into a tight smile. "I see you're as territorial as your little friend, Lily," she retorts, her voice syrupy sweet. "I’m just catching up with Mateo. Old friends, you know. Friends with benefits, that is."

"Marian," I say, cutting in. "Please leave."

Marian’s polished exterior wavers, her eyes narrowing. "You really need to ask Mateo what he’s been up to on the nights he's not with you. I hate to remind you, but men like him don’t change, Lisa. And deep down, you know that."

"I know exactly who Mateo is," Lisa replies, "His flaws are no longer your problem. As his future wife, he's my problem now. I don't understand why you're trying so hard to write yourself into his story. What you're doing is desperate and embarrassing."

Marian takes a step closer, her heels clicking like warning shots. "You think you’ve won, don’t you? Let me tell you something. You might be marrying Mateo, but you’ll always have to share him with other women. Including me."

"Marian, get out," I say, holding the door open. "Before I lose every ounce of civility I have left."

Without another word, Marian storms out, the sharp click of her stilettos fading as she crosses the yard.

As the door slams shut, Lisa turns to me, her arms still crossed, her expression a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "That woman is unreal," she mutters, her gaze now narrowing on me, as if she’s just now noticing that I’m still half-naked. The corner of her mouth twitches in what could almost be a smirk.

"Well," I say, chuckling, suddenly feeling exposed, "I better put some clothes on. The party's about to begin."

Lisa’s gaze stays fixed on me, and the air between us thickens with unspoken intent. She arches an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smile as she steps closer.

"We’ve got time," she murmurs, her voice low and teasing.

"Time for what?" I ask, just as her arms slide around my neck.

Without thinking, I pull her closer with one arm, my other hand reaching behind her to engage the lock on the door.

Chapter 19

Lisa

After all the guests leave, and Lily and Noah head off to spend the weekend at the lake house, Mateo and I begin cleaning up after the party. Pink confetti is scattered everywhere, clinging to nearly every piece of furniture in the living room. We move methodically, gathering the remnants of the celebration, the comfortable silence between us a welcome reprieve after the chaos of the last few hours. Every now and then, our eyes meet, and I know we’re both thinking about what we shared in the guesthouse—the incredible moments that bound our hearts together forever.

After I toss the last paper plate and cup in the trash bag, Mateo ties it into a tight knot. His expression softens as he glances at me. "I got a call from my secretary while I was at the house," he says. "I have to go to Mérida next week."

"Next week?" I say, watching him closely

He nods, his tone apologetic. "I’d want you to come with me, but I know you just got back to work, and there’s still so much to do for the wedding."

I smile faintly, trying to hide my disappointment. "And I’m taking time off for our honeymoon," I say, teasing to lighten the moment.

"I can go and be back in a few days," he promises, stepping closer. His voice lowers. "I’ll miss you, though."

"I'll miss you too," I reply. "I'll use that time to decorate the house and attend my bridal shower."

"Have the girls already set a date for your shower?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "That was fast."

"Nothing is more productive than the last minute," I quip, flashing a grin.

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