Page 7 of When Love Changes Everything

Her eyes widen in shock. “What?!” She grabs her phone, glancing at the screen. “Oh my gosh, I have seven missed calls.”

I watch as she dials quickly, pressing the phone to her ear. “Katherine!” she exclaims. “Aha. Oh my! Okay. I wish I could be there. Okay, but… Yeah, you’re right. Okay. Let her know I’m thinking of her, and I’ll head to the hospital as soon as I finish here. Thanks. Love you too. Bye.”

She ends the call and looks up at me, a mix of excitement and wonder flashing across her face, only to be quickly replaced by a raised eyebrow. "Seriously, Mateo, where have you been?"

I hand her the paperwork, tangible evidence of exactly where I've been.

“You did all this?” she asks, incredulous, her eyes widening as she scans the pages.

“Aaron had to leave, so I—”

“Thank you,” she interrupts, her voice rich with emotion. “Thank you!”

Before I can respond, her arms are suddenly around me, her slim figure fitting perfectly against my own. I inhale deeply, captivated by her scent—an intoxicating blend of fresh citrus and vanilla that wraps around my senses. “You smell incredible,” I murmur, my arms instinctively encircling her tiny waist, drawing her closer. The world around us fades, leaving only the warmth of her body against mine.

She’s too young, too vulnerable in this moment. She’s my daughter’s best friend, just a couple of years older, and the weight of that reality presses heavily on my chest. Yet, as I hold her, I feel our heartbeats falling into rhythm, a quiet, shared pulse that deepens our connection.

And then, as if the floodgates have opened, she begins to cry.

Chapter 3

Lisa

Oh, no. This can’t be happening. I’m not a crier. I’ve never been a crier! But wrapped in his arms, I feel safe—protected, shielded from all harm, including the disaster that is my life right now. I melt into him, surrendering to the comfort he offers, and let the tears flow freely. I no longer care. Let them fall. A good cry never hurt anyone. They say it’s better to let it out than to bottle everything up inside. So what if I’m putting that theory to the ultimate test by letting tears and snot stain the front of his shirt? It's dirty anyway.

How can a man this grimy still smell so incredibly good?Hold me, Mateo, because I’m fully invested in this moment, and I can sense you are too.

I’ve never been this close to him before. This intimacy is new and exhilarating—thrilling, even. It feels out of this world amazing. He’s strong; I can feel the ripple of muscle in his backbeneath my touch. My fingers glide down his arm, discovering more of that strength, taut and defined. The man is stacked. He called me beautiful, but no, Mateo—you’re beautiful. Who am I kidding? I can say I'm not into older men until I'm blue in the face, but I am most definitely without question, without a doubt intothisolder man.Twenty years between us be damned, I'm way into you, Mateo Cruz, hook, line and sinker.

He pulls away slightly, looking down at me, his eyes filled with sympathy for my situation. But right now, all I care about is him and how desperately I want to hold onto this moment.

"Are you okay?" He whispers, his breath close, warming my skin with every word. "What can I do to help? To make things better?"

“I think a kiss would make me feel better,” I say, my heart racing.Oh God! Did I just say that out loud?!

“Lisa,” he whispers, his voice deep and thick with emotion.

“Bésame, Mateo,” I reply, using my limited but proficient Spanish. Okay, it's really the only word I know, but what other word could be as important, as vital, as meaningful as “kiss me”?

When I feel his lips gently brush against my cheek, I brace myself for what’s to come, filled with anticipation and longing for the kiss I’ve been waiting for and dreaming about since the day I met him.

But my phone rings, shattering the delicious spell we were both under. I mutter a curse under my breath, and he just smiles, turning away as he rakes his fingers through the roughness of his five o'clock shadow—a mindless gesture that makes my heart flutter. I’d been craving the feel of that stubble against my skin.Stop it, Lisa!

I glance at the name on the screen and clear my throat before answering, “Katherine.”

“They’re here!” she exclaims, her voice brimming with joy and excitement.

“Oh my gosh!” I reply, mirroring her happiness. "Is everyone okay and healthy?"

"Yes, mom and babies are doing great," I can hear the smile in her voice. "Loren is one tough woman."

“Well?” I urge, desperate to know the gender of the twins. "Tell me, tell me now!"

“It’s a boy,” she says, pausing for dramatic effect. “And a—”

“Tell me!” I exclaim again, my heart racing. “Is it a girl?”

“It’s a girl,” she announces, her voice rising with glee. “It’s a girl!”

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