Page 32 of Wasted On Us

“I talked to my dad the other day. He had some, uh… things to say about your father.”

There it is. We’re finally on the same page. Maybe now he’ll understand why I keep trying to push him away.

I sigh. “Do you get it now? Why I’ve been acting the way I have? We’re doomed, Mateo.”

“I totally get it. But I’ve also been thinking,” he continues. “We should go somewhere. Away. Somewhere we can spend some time together, without the constant threat of our families’ nonsense swirling around us and making everything miserable. I want to get to know you, Eden. It would just be a lot nicer if I wasn’t looking over my shoulder the whole time, wondering if one of our dads is going to try and kill me or not. I mean… we’re adults here. If we want to pursue a relationship with each other, who is to tell us we can’t?”

With a twist of my lips, I consider his offer and what it means. In theory, it’s all fun and games to buck your parents’ wishes on the back of moral superiority and the fact that their decades-long feud with each other is just plain ridiculous. But on the other? When my dad gives me that look—you know the one—it makes my guts flip over and the guilt rides me until I end up doing what he wants anyway.

I want to get out of the house, though, so what he’s asking me looks mighty appealing. If I don’t learn how to become independent and in charge of my own life, I’m going to wither up and die. But if my parents find out that I’m creeping around with the arch enemy’s son behind their backs, I’ll be out of the house, alright. Permanently. And not invited around for Thanksgiving or Christmas, either.

I know that Mateo isn’t the relationship kind, which might bother other girls. But after Rick chewed me up and spit me out like day-old focaccia, I’m not looking for a marriage proposal. I can’t open my heart up like that again. What would be so wrong with keeping things casual? The sex is good. Really good. And if that’s all he wants—then that’s fine by me. We fool around, have a few laughs, and then part on friendly terms before either of our parents ever find out.

Perfect. Piece of cake.

“Well?” he asks, not knowing how to take my long silence.

“Um.” I try not to look at either of my sisters, who are staring at me like I’m a zoo exhibit. “Maybe we could meet there. Wherever there is.”

“Maybe I could pick you up at work,” he offers. As much as I don’t want to get into a car with him smelling like a wet dog, it seems like the safest solution.

I ignore Elowyn’s frown. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Don’t worry.” His voice is so warm and reassuring that I start to melt. “Just focus on how much fun we’ll have.”

“We’ve got to make sure our parents don’t find out until we figure out how to handle them,” I stress, watching Ensley’s eyebrows raise high enough to disappear under her bangs as she mouths the word ‘fun’ and thrusts her hips. “Think you can do that?”

“I’m a vault.”

“We’ll see.” I want to trust him to keep this secret, but even I have to admit to myself that I don’t know him that well. This is a huge gamble. And honestly? That makes it all the more fun. “How long would we be gone?”

“A long weekend. We’ll come back on Monday.”

“So… not the little place by the Trevi fountain with the good tiramisu?” I tease.

“Probably not. What if I give you my card and you plan it? Surprise me, but keep it within driving distance,” Mateo proposes, his voice echoing through the speakerphone.

I glance at my sisters, who are trying to act like they’re not listening but failing miserably as their eyes widen into moons. My heart flutters at his offer, but a sharp pang of discomfort settles in my stomach. His generosity is overwhelming, but it feels wrong to take advantage of it.

“Mateo, that’s incredibly generous, but I can’t possibly use your money like that,” I stammer, trying to articulate the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

His voice is gentle as he reassures me, “Eden, I know it’s a bit unconventional, but I want this to be special for us. And I want you to be able to plan something you’ll enjoy without worrying about the cost. Think of it as a shared adventure.”

His words settle over me, warm and comforting, and I find myself swayed by his earnestness. I sigh, a mixture of excitement and trepidation bubbling up inside me. “Okay,” I concede. “But I’m going to be sensible about it. You’re not going to make me go crazy with your credit card.”

I can hear the smile in his voice as he replies, “I wouldn't expect anything less.”

His trust sends a thrill through me, and I can’t help but laugh, feeling a lightness I haven’t felt in a long time. “Alright, Mateo. You asked for it. I’ll plan something wonderful.”

I believe him. I believe in his intentions, his generosity, and the connection growing between us. It’s scary and new, but it feels right.

Then Mateo gets called away to dinner with his family and has to abruptly end the call. Ensley orders us another round of drinks while I fill them in on my plan. As ill-advised as it likely is, I feel myself vibrating with excitement, already googling nearby tourist destinations and bouncing ideas off of the girls.

“Look at you playing travel agent,” Elowyn coos, sending me a link to a rentable houseboat on a nearby lake. It’s cute, but not really my style. I learned in Venice that I have an unfortunate tendency to get seasick.

“I could do that. Is that a thing anymore?”

Ensley laughs. “I think thanks to all the apps, that job has been mostly phased out.”

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