Page 5 of When Love Changes Everything

"Where's your mother?" I asked, reminding myself of the reason why I was there.

“She’s still in bed,” Lily said. “She has a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”

“Do you think she’ll let me come with you?” I asked, hoping to be there, to give them my support.

I stayed that morning and made breakfast for everyone.

“You’re a great cook, Mr. Cruz,” Lisa said with a smile, spreading butter on her pancakes before pouring an impressive amount of maple syrup over them.

“Please, call me Mateo,” I replied, my voice low as I took a slow sip of coffee, letting my gaze linger on her a moment longer.

“No,” Lily interrupted, giving Lisa a sidelong look. “It's Mr. Cruz for any and all of my friends. Please call him Mr. Cruz.”

Lisa’s light, contagious laugh filled the room, then she stood and moved to the fridge to pour herself a glass of milk. My gaze followed her as she walked, drawn to her effortless grace. When I glanced over at Lily, I caught her studying me again, one brow raised in warning.

“Don’t even think about it, Dad.” she said quietly, her eyes sharp.

A chuckle escaped me, but I looked away, feeling not one iota of guilt.

***

Sophia was fading, growing weaker with each passing day. Her weight dropped, her breathing grew shallow, and within a month, she was gone.

At the funeral, I walked in to find Lily with Lisa by her side, her arm wrapped protectively around Lily's shoulders. Lisa's eyes were red and weary, her face etched with a sorrow that mirrored Lily's, as if she would willingly absorb every ounce of pain to spare her friend. That quiet empathy stirred something deep within me, and that became a moment etched in my memory that I carry with me to this day.

I pulled Lily into a hug, kissed her forehead, then, almost instinctively, reached for Lisa, drawing her close. That brief connection... it was intense, grounding. But the guilt followed, sharp and unforgiving—I was standing beside my ex-wife’s casket, yet there I was, feeling a profound attraction to another woman. A younger woman. Shame tore through me, swift and unyielding, like a flame I couldn’t extinguish.

A few days later, I left Boston, hoping the distance would erase my attraction to Lisa. But thoughts of her lingered, refusing to fade, and my feelings only grew stronger.

Shortly after Sophia's passing, Lily sold the house and moved into a condo with Lisa and another close friend, Laila, while they all attended college. I visited Lily several times a year, though Lisa was mostly and conspicuously absent—maybe intentionally so.

This summer when I saw her again, she was distant, more guarded. Yet, in her eyes, there was still that familiar spark—a quiet, unspoken invitation that reignited everything I tried to leave behind. After my affair with Noah’s ex-wife came out, I had no choice but to leave Cold Spring, to create some distance between myself and Lily's relationship with Noah. I was determined to prevent my colossal mistake from affecting their future. But in doing so, I also left behind the increasing attraction I felt toward Lisa—something that had become impossible to ignore.

I hadn’t expected to see her at the wedding, knowing she was supposed to be in California and wouldn’t return until the end of the month. But when she walked in, her presence took my breath away, filling the room with an undeniable energy. She approached me as soon as she saw me, and her gaze was electrifying. “How’s Lily?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“She’s nervous,” I said, smiling. “She’s upstairs with her bridesmaids, almost ready. Want to join them? I know she’d be thrilled to see you right now.”

“No, I’ll wait,” she said, her gaze lingering on mine. “I’ll go find a seat. But... let her know I'm here.”

"Lisa," I called softly as she turned to walk away. "I’m really happy to see you."

She paused, a flicker of reproach in her eyes. “You left without saying goodbye,” she murmured, the disappointment in her voice unmistakable. It was clear my absence had left a mark—one I hadn’t realized would matter so much.

"I’m sorry." I said, guilt creeping into my voice. "I made a mess of things here. Didn't Lily tell you?"

"You were with a woman you had no idea was married," she said, her tone softening. "The cruel twist of fate did you dirty, Mateo."

Regret washed over me. "I shouldn’t have left without seeing you first," I murmured, wishing I could rewrite that choice.

Her gaze was intense as she locked eyes with me. "You’re dangerous, Mr. Cruz," she said, a teasing edge to her words. "Your daughter warned me about you more than once, but I didn't exactly listen. I liked you, Mateo."

A smile tugged at my lips. "I like you too," I replied, charmed by her honesty. "Your candor is…endearing."

She tilted her head, her smile widening. "You used present tense."

"It’s true," I admitted, holding her gaze. "I like you."

She hesitated, allowing my words to sink in. "I’m going to go find a seat," she said softly. "But it was good seeing you again."

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