Page 55 of Wasted On Us

“I do.” If Eden could be vulnerable enough with me to share her dream, then it’s my turn to share mine as well. I owe her that much. “This woman I’m madly in love with once told me to be careful who I travel with because it changes the entire experience, so I decided I’d only travel with her.”

Taken aback by my words, Eden’s eyes snap up to meet mine, her lips parting in surprise. “What did you just say?” Her voice is soft, hushed.

“I said, I'm madly in love with you, Eden.” The words roll off my tongue with an ease that surprises even me. But the look on her face makes me realize the gravity of what I've just admitted. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone, ever. And I know our parents, our pasts, make things complicated, but... but love should overpower it all, right? At least that’s what Abuelita’s telenovelas say.”

She gives a shaky laugh, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “You can’t be serious. Our families—”

“—are not us.” I cut her off, reaching for her hands. “We are not them, Eden. We’re not bound by their mistakes or their grudges. Their mistakes are not ours, so their punishments aren’t either. This is our life, our story. We can write our own ending.”

“But what if it's not enough?” she whispers, her gaze fixed on our interlaced fingers.

“What if it is?” I counter, lifting a hand to her face, my thumb gently caressing her cheek. “I love you, Eden. And I believe that together we can face whatever challenges come our way. We’re stronger than we give ourselves credit for.”

Eden looks at me, her azure eyes glistening with vulnerability. “I... I love you too, Mateo. So much that it terrifies me.” Her voice quivers with raw emotion. “But I’m scared... scared of what it could mean for us.”

“And we’ll face that fear together, Eden. Because love, our love, is worth fighting for. It’s worth every risk.” With these words, I know I’ve laid everything bare, my heart beating loudly in the silence that stretches between us.

Craving the taste of her promise, I pull her closer, my fingers tangling in her hair as I tip her chin upward. Her eyes lock with mine, the surprise slowly morphing into an emotion that mirrors my own. Heat rises between us, igniting the air until it’s crackling with intensity. Then, with a conviction stronger than any words, I press my lips against hers, sealing the vow in a kiss that speaks of unspoken promises and an unwavering hope in our shared future.

“I have an idea. We’ll all go to Italy. I’ll bring my father and my abuelita.”

The mention of my grandmother causes her immediate concern, her eyes the size of dinner plates. “How is Abuelita?”

“Much better.” She smiles at the news. I could barely believe it myself, that she managed to fall down all of those stairs and only have a sprained ankle and a few lumps and bumps. It didn’t even bruise her ego. I should’ve known it would take more than a tumble to knock Abuelita down. “Bruised. Not broken. Feisty and spry as ever. And wholly in our corner.”

Ever since she got out of the hospital, all she can talk about is how sad she is that things aren’t working out for me and Eden. She wants us to be happy, and she thinks that my father getting over this feud will make him happy too. Hearts aren’t meant to hold grudges for so many years.

“And I suppose I would need to bring my parents.” Opening the binder in front of her, she starts flipping through various maps and brochures. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. She might actually be considering this. “Mom always did want to go.”

“Dare I hope she’s on our side?”

Eden shrugs, still not tearing her eyes from the papers in front of her. “If it gets me out of the house, she’s all for it. And, of course, she loved you. You can be really charming. If there is a weak link, it’s her.”

I know it’s ridiculous since we’ve slept together, but Eden calling me charming makes me blush slightly. I take a sip of my coffee, trying to hide my face in the paper cup. A wholly unnecessary gesture, since she still hasn’t looked up from her book.

“Then sign the lease and let’s make this happen.” I slide the paper in front of her, on top of a map of Piedmont. I wait quietly for her to read.

She gasps. “There’s no price listed on this document, Mateo.”

“I’m not charging you,” I explain.

The idea of collecting payment from her just feels wrong. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I wouldn’t feel like a gentleman taking money from the woman I love. It’s my job to provide for her. Besides, it’s not like I need the money. The other tenants more than cover the operating costs.

“You have to,” she whines.

I take the paper back, making a show of scribbling in a few notations with my pen. I pass it back to her, and she rolls her eyes.

“One date per week, minimum,” she reads aloud with a groan, shoving the lease back toward me. “We’re not dating.”

“We’re dating,” I insist, watching a smile creep along her face. “People in love with each other date. Then they get engaged. Then they get married. Then they have babies. And I’m paying.”

“You must be the worst businessman alive,” she laughs, burying her face in her hands.

“You’re more of an investment than this office complex is.” I place a comforting hand on her shoulder, and she leans into my touch. “I see big things for us, Eden. Let’s make it happen.”

“Let’s just see how Italy goes. That will be the true test.” She pushes the chair back from the desk, crossing her arms in thought. “If our families can get past this ridiculous feud and mesh together well enough for just one vacation, then it’ll tell us for sure that we can be together without major stress. I mean… you just talked about babies, for goodness sake. We can’t bring kids into this world with their grandparents at war.”

Then, my phone rings. One of my bigger repeat clients has shown up today without an appointment and won’t see anyone else. I glance at the caller ID and then back at Eden, my face twisted in frustration.

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