Page 29 of When Love Changes Everything

Adam grins, his confidence undeniable. "I looked at a lot of rings before choosing the Statton you have on your pretty little finger, Katie," he says, his smile widening as he winks at her. "I know my rings."

"You never cease to amaze me," Katherine says with a teasing grin before pressing a kiss to Adam's lips. The chemistry between them is palpable, a shared devotion that makes my heart flutter.

"I'll take the baby for a little stroll so you two can talk," Adam says, before nodding toward the kids. "I'll be back. Come on, kids!" He motions for Jon and Tori to follow, and we watch as the little group heads toward the playground, their laughter carried on the breeze.

"So," Katherine begins, her eyebrow raised in playful curiosity, "how are things going? Loren told me Mateo asked Aaron for his blessing."

"If I could've chosen any man on the planet to be my dad, I would've chosen Aaron," I reply. "Mateo knows that.

"I think it was a very romantic gesture on Mateo's part," she says. "I know Lily's concerns about her dad is something you'll have to address, but if he's got your attention, he must be pretty special."

"I love him," I confess, my voice more certain now than ever. "I’ve loved him for a really long time. I just didn’t want to admit it—especially to myself. The more I got to know him, the more I liked him and the harder I fell. He's sweet, gentle, kind. A complete gentleman—protective, funny, and a great cook."

Katherine laughs before lowering her voice and whispering, "I thought you were going to say a great kisser."

"That too," I smile.

"Have you two set a date?" she asks, glancing over to Mateo and Davey who are playing a game of catch football.

"I need to talk to Lily first," I murmur. "She's one of my best friends, and her rejection over this would devastate me."

I follow Katherine's gaze and take in the full picture in front of me—Mateo and Davey playing like father and son. I feel a shiver run down my spine, remembering that for a split second, Mateo thought Davey was his son. The unpleasant memory still makes me uneasy.

"Earth to Lisa," Katherine’s voice pulls me back from the fog of that memory—the moment when Lily told me Mateo had had an affair with Noah's ex-wife while they were still married.

"I'm sorry," I mutter. "I was just thinking about Davey's mother—how she lied about Davey's paternity to try and split Lily and Noah apart."

"Don't remind me," Katherine says, shaking her head. "That was insane. Thankfully, that's all in the past. As long as Marian keeps her distance, we can all breathe easier."

But a cold, foreign sensation coils deep inside me at the thought of Marian ever returning to Cold Spring. She's Davey's mother, and the idea that she'll stay away permanently is just wishful thinking on our part. She'll be back, and we all know it.

"I'm so happy for both of you," Katherine says, pulling me into a warm hug.

"Do you think I should call Lily or wait until she and Noah get back from their honeymoon?"

"I think you should wait," she says. "Let them enjoy their honeymoon without any distractions. And in the meantime, you can enjoy Mateo without any distractions."

***

"Davey asked me if he could call me Grandpa," Mateo says casually, unpacking the groceries.

"What did you tell him?" I ask, unsure how to untangle the emotions swirling inside me.

"I told him we'd have to ask his dad—and Lily," he replies, leaning back against the counter and crossing his arms.

"What about Marian?" I ask. "She might have some feelings about it."

The sharpness in my tone must have caught his attention because he glances over, his gaze searching. "What are your feelings about it,hermosa?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. "None of this involves me," I say.

"Of course it does," he replies. "You're going to be my wife. Though, I highly doubt you'd want him calling you Grandma."

I laugh out loud, and he joins in, pulling me close until we’re face-to-face. "Would it bother you?" he asks softly.

The fact that he's asking again tells me two things: one, he wants Davey to call him Grandpa; and two, he cares about having my approval.

"No, of course it wouldn't bother me," I say. "But the idea of you having any connection to Marian rubs me the wrong way. I’m not going to lie—thatbothers me."

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