Page 35 of When Love Changes Everything

He nods, his gaze unreadable. “She said she wanted to see me. Asked if I could pick her up from the airport.”

“How did she even know you were still here?” I ask, my thoughts racing with a myriad of possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last.

“Davey told her,” he replies, his tone flat.

“What did you tell her?” I ask, desperate for his honesty, even if it stings.

"I told her the truth,” he murmurs, a smile threatening to escape. “I told her I’ve met someone. That I'm madly in love. And that I’m getting married.”

"Really?" I say, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face. "You told her that?”

He chuckles, a quiet, unguarded sound. “She hung up on me,” he admits, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Right after I told her not to expect an invitation.”

***

My father stuck to his word. As we stepped out of the attorney’s office, a taxi idled at the curb, its engine humming softly against the tense silence between us.

He turned to me, his expression as cold as ever. “You're going to regret marrying that man," he said. "Mark my word."

Then, without a hug, a kiss, or even a backward glance, he climbed into the taxi. The door slammed shut, and just like that, he was gone. No wave, no lingering hesitation—only the bitter finality of his departure.

***

“My dad left,” I say softly as Mateo greets me at the door.

“I know,” he replies, his voice gentle. “He handed me the keys to the car and left in a taxi, taking all his luggage. I texted you to let you know.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, shaking my head. “I didn’t check my messages.”

Mateo steps closer, his hand finding mine. “Are you okay,hermosa?” he asks, leading me inside, his concern written in the furrow of his brow.

“I am,” I manage, though my voice wavers. “I knew it was coming, but… it still hurts. He didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, wrapping me in a warm embrace. His arms are a refuge, his presence soothing the ache in my chest. “I wish there was something I could do to take away your sadness. Your father’s behavior is something I’ll never understand.”

I pull back slightly, just enough to meet his gaze. “Your presence is all I need,” I say softly, a heartfelt smile curving my lips. “You know, Lily is so lucky to have you as her dad. You’ve always been amazing with her. Honestly, I used to envy the bond she had with you. Before I met you, I’d tell her I wished we could be sisters—just so I could have a dad like hers.”

Mateo’s brow arches, surprise flickering in the depths of his blue eyes. His lips part as if to speak, but I press on, my smile deepening as I gently cup his face.

“Wait! It's not weird at all, I promise,” I add quickly, a teasing laugh bubbling up. “Because the moment I met you, that thought vanished. Completely.” I pause, letting my thumb brush against his jawline. “All I saw wasyou,Mateo. The man. The tall, strong, ruggedly handsome man with those incredible blue eyes—the man who made my heart skip a beat every time he walked into a room.”

My voice softens. “You’ve always taken my breath away, Mateo. Always.”

When his lips brush against my cheek, I close my eyes, breathing in his scent—cedar and spice. It’s a scent so familiar, so unmistakable, that it wraps around me, cocooning me in a sense of safety and tenderness. His fingers glide up my arm until they rest at the back of my neck. It’s hard to believe that hands this big, this strong, can be so gentle and loving.

As his lips meet mine, the world around us fades into nothingness. The kiss deepens, the intensity building with every passing second, leaving me breathless and weak at the knees. A soft, involuntary moan escapes me as he pulls back, leaving me yearning for more. His eyes search mine, as if desperately seeking the same truth I already see shining back at me—a love so real, so undeniable, it leaves no room for doubt. The intensity in his blue eyes sharpens, and his voice drops to a husky, pleading whisper. "I love you, Annalisa."

Chapter 14

Mateo

I notice that Aaron is unusually quiet during our run this morning, and as I slide into the chair across from him at the coffee shop, I can tell something weighs heavily on his mind. He looks at me intently, his coffee cup poised midway to his lips, before finally breaking the silence.

"Marian is here," he says, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Well," I reply, choosing my words carefully, "the fact that she hasn’t tried to contact me is a small relief. I'm sure she's here to see her son."

"I think that’s wishful thinking on your part," he murmurs.

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