4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Mateo
I’d forgotten just how incredible it feels to be a new father. The thrill is beyond words—a rush that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world and yet utterly vulnerable all at once. This tiny person relies on you for everything, every need, every comfort. It’s a responsibility like no other, and nothing compares. My love for Lily is boundless. When Sophia and I divorced, the hardest part was accepting being apart from my daughter. I learned to live with it, but it was a hollow, painful acceptance. I missed so many moments, so much of her life. And now, I don’t know if I could ever bear to put myself in that position again. Yet, watching Aaron and Loren bond with their twins stirs something deep within me—a quiet yearning to feel that connection again.
***
Lisa is silent the entire drive home. She stares out the window, lost in her own thoughts, while I grapple with the desire to reach for her and apologize. When we arrive, she thanks me before heading back to the guesthouse, not sparing me a single backward glance. I know what I told her wounded her, and the fact that I did it deliberately to keep her at arm's length gnaws at me. Knowing she’s just across the garden makes it nearly impossible to ignore our growing attraction. Lisa is beautiful, quick-witted, and so captivating that being near her is an exercise in restraint. If I let my guard down, it would only be a matter of days—hours—before I’d be tempted to close the space between us and claim her lips in a kiss. But I’ve forced myself to draw the line, as painful as it is, because what’s waiting on the other side of that line might be more than either of us is ready for.
When I step inside, I pull out my phone and call Lily, knowing I’m likely interrupting her honeymoon. But it's inevitable—the best thing I can do now is leave. Lisa can housesit, and I’ll go back to Mérida, where I belong.
“You can’t leave, Dad!” Lily’s voice bursts out, a mix of surprise and protest before I’ve even finished speaking. “Noah and I will be back in three weeks. You have to be here for the gender reveal party.”
“Lisa’s here,” I say, trying to sound resolute. “She can stay at the house until you’re back. And for the party, we can video chat. It’ll be just like I’m here in person.”
“It won’t be the same, Dad,” she murmurs, her disappointment thick and unmistakable. “What about Thanksgiving? Christmas? You promised, Daddy. You have to stay. Please.”
“When have I ever been able to say no to you, mija ?” I say, my resolve slipping.
“So, you’ll stay?” she asks, hope warming her voice.
I pause, wishing I could stand my ground. “I’ll stay.”
“Good, then it’s settled,” she says, her tone lightening. “See you in three weeks.”
“I love you, Carino ,” I say, hoping my voice can convey how much I love my princesa .
“I love you too, Daddy!”
***
The past few days have been agonizing, each passing hour a test of willpower to keep my distance from my beautiful neighbor. Five days—that’s how long it took for me to finally admit I need to see her again. So here I am, standing on her doorstep, my fist hovering over the door and my heart pounding a fierce rhythm in my chest. It’s only eight o’clock, and her car is in the driveway, so I know she’s here. If she doesn’t answer, I’ll know she hasn’t forgiven me.
“What are you doing here?” she asks the moment she opens the door, her voice sharp. The fresh, tantalizing scent of her perfume envelops me as my gaze sweeps over the natural beauty she possesses. The coral sweater she’s wearing hugs her curves perfectly, leaving me momentarily speechless.
“Mateo, what are you doing here?” she repeats, the impatient tone in her voice pulling me back from my wayward thoughts.
“Good morning to you too,” I manage to say, finding my voice again.
"I’m on my way out," she sighs, reaching for her purse. "I have to pick up my father from the airport in a few hours.”
“Have you had breakfast?” I ask with a hint of hope in my voice.
“I’m not a breakfast person,” she mutters, looking away.
A smile tugs at my lips. “I’ve seen you pour half a gallon of maple syrup over pancakes. You are a breakfast person. Let me take you out to eat before you leave.”
Her blue eyes flicker with hurt as she meets my gaze. “My mother always warned me to stay away from bad men.”
“I deserve that,” I admit, my voice low. “I’m here to apologize for what I said.”
She raises an eyebrow, a trace of bitterness in her gaze. “My mother used to say, ‘The truth will set you free, Sweetie, but first it’ll piss you off.’”
“I don’t think my words made you angry,” I say softly. “I think they hurt you. And for that, I’m sorry.”
She holds my gaze, her eyes unwavering. “Doesn’t change the fact that what you said was true. You’re not a good man, Mateo. I should keep my distance.”
“You really believe that?” I ask, even though I know she's right.
“I believe you have the power to hurt me if I let you."
“I won’t hurt you,” I say, my words heavy with promise.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she snaps.
“I’m sorry,” I say, cutting her off, the words spilling out. “I just… I want us to be friends.”
The look she gives me could melt steel, and I feel it right down to the concrete step beneath my feet.
“Okay,” she says, a smile touching her lips as she tilts her chin up. “Let’s be friends.”
But there’s something in her tone, a quiet edge that gives me pause. Why does this feel like a test I haven’t studied for, and a test I’m sure to fail?
***
At the restaurant, we're seated in a cozy booth by a window, where the stunning view of the Hudson River stretches before us, glistening in the morning light.
"Why does everything seem more beautiful when I’m with you?" I ask, the words tumbling out as soon as we settle into our seats.
The waitress, having caught my comment, clears her throat as she sets the menus in front of us, her gaze lingering on me with a hint of amusement.
"Thank you, Mandy," I say, smiling at her.
“You’re welcome,” she replies, flashing me a knowing smile. “Can I get you something to drink?”
We both order coffee, but the moment Mandy steps away, Lisa's gaze sharpens, suspicion flaring in her blue eyes. She leans closer, her voice low but pointed.
"Do you know the waitress?" she asks, one eyebrow arching in that unrelenting, inquisitive way of hers.
I swallow, realizing my blunder. “Mandy and I... we’ve gone out a couple of times,” I murmur, clearing my throat.
"I see," Lisa says, leaning back in her chair as if physically retreating from me. Her voice cool, her expression unreadable. “You also went out with Zoe from the studio. Hmm… did you happen to see Marian while she was in town, too?”
I draw in a breath. “Yes and no. Zoe and I went out once, but no, Marian and I didn’t reconnect.”
"Anyone else I should be aware of?” she asks, her tone laced with sarcasm.
“Lisa,” I begin, choosing my words carefully, “you and I... we’re just friends, remember?”
“Oh, I remember.” Her voice is clipped, her gaze sharp as ice. “I’m just asking.”
I hesitate, then finally admit, “I went out with Meredith Sanders.”
Her eyes narrow. “She’s a realtor at Linder and Morgan.”
I nod, not daring to say more.
“She’s the one who found my condo,” Lisa murmurs, almost to herself as if she’s piecing something together. “So why aren’t you still seeing any of these women?”
I exhale. “I date casually, Lisa. I haven’t been in a serious relationship since—”
“Since Sophia,” she finishes for me. I watch as her face shifts, the truth of my character sinking in. And with it, the last hope I had of ever tasting those beautiful pink lips.
Mandy returns with our coffee, setting the cups down carefully before taking our order. I can feel Lisa watching—assessing Mandy, assessing me.
“So, Mandy,” Lisa says smoothly, her gaze flicking back to me with a hint of mischief. “I can tell you’re dying to ask him something. Go ahead. Don’t mind me.”
Mandy’s eyes widen, her mouth parting as if to deny it, but she hesitates, glancing between us with a sudden, flustered look. “No. Me? No,” she murmurs, shaking her head.
Lisa glances at me with an easy calm before looking back at Mandy. “Really. It's okay. Mateo and I are just friends,” she says smoothly. “I’m his daughter’s best friend, that’s all.”
“Oh,” Mandy whispers, relief flooding her expression as her gaze darts back to me, her posture easing. “How long are you going to be in town?” She finally asks. When I'm slow to respond, she continues. “Give me a call—I’d love to get together and catch up.”
I open my mouth to reply, but Lisa jumps in, her tone casual. “I’ll have poached eggs and toast,” she says, her interruption seamless and deliberate.
Mandy blinks, offering a polite smile as she notes our orders and retreats without another word.
I turn to Lisa, narrowing my eyes. “I can’t believe you just did that,” I say, aiming for a disapproving look, though the spark in her gaze tells me she’s far from remorseful.
When Mandy brings out our food, I glance up at her, but she refuses to make eye contact with me.
Lisa and I sit together, drifting through a lighthearted conversation about nothing in particular. But somehow, every word she says pulls me in, like it’s the most captivating story I’ve ever heard. I can’t look away, my attention caught on the way her eyes light up and her laughter fills the space between us. Even the smallest details she shares seem to matter, simply because she’s the one saying them. I sip my coffee, unable to take my eyes off her as she devours her breakfast with the enthusiasm of a teenager at boot camp. It’s endearing—and somehow, even now, she’s beautiful. Every movement, every smile, pulls me in. God, she’s breathtaking—even with that little furrowed brow of concentration as she eats. A crumb of toast clings to her lips, and the urge to lean over and kiss it away, to taste that warm laughter and sweetness, nearly overwhelms me. But before I can even entertain the thought of acting, she casually wipes her mouth with a napkin, completely unaware of just how close I am to letting my restraint slip. She has no idea the effect she has on me—how one simple gesture could push me right over the edge.
When she excuses herself to go to the ladies' room, I take the chance to wave Mandy over, still feeling a pang of guilt. “Mandy, I’m sorry about earlier," I begin. "I should’ve made it clear—I’m retired from the dating scene. I won’t be going out with anyone while I’m here.”
Mandy lets out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head with a wry smile. “Men!” she exclaims, crossing her arms. “You all think you’re so mysterious.” She gives me a playful look, but there’s a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I offer, looking into her eyes, hoping she’ll understand something I can’t quite comprehend myself. Why am I turning down an invitation from a beautiful, vibrant young woman offering me a good time with no strings attached? What is wrong with me? The question settles inside me, nagging and persistent.
“Don’t apologize,” she replies, her hazel eyes glinting with something almost wistful. “She’s a lucky girl.”
“Pardon me?” I ask, feeling a wave of confusion, questioning myself as much as her.
She chuckles. “Mateo, you’re as sexy as you are oblivious.”
“Oh yeah?” I lean in, my voice low, challenging. “Go on, then. Enlighten me.”
She arches an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and knowing. “You’re hooked, and she knows it. And if you don’t see it yet… trust me. You will.”
I spot Lisa making her way back to our table, and I immediately straighten in my chair. What the heck is wrong with me?
“Ready to go?” she asks, glancing between me and Mandy.
“Yeah,” I reply, tossing a couple of fifty-dollar bills on the table.
“Thank you, Mateo,” Mandy says, scooping up the money with a warm smile. Then, she leans in and plants a soft kiss on my cheek. “I hope to see you again before you leave.”
***
Lisa strides out of the restaurant ahead of me, leaving a palpable tension in her wake. I quicken my pace to catch up, the feeling gnawing at me. “What’s wrong?” I ask, hoping she’ll let me in.
“Nothing,” she replies, her tone clipped. “I’m just in a hurry. I have to pick up my dad in New York, and I’m running late.”
Before I can think twice, the words are out. “Want me to come with you?”
The second I say it, I mentally kick myself. She doesn’t need me tagging along.
She pauses, looking back at me with a mix of surprise and something unreadable. As she gets into her car and rolls down the window, I catch the glint of gold and turquoise in her clear blue eyes, and it’s like a punch to the chest. I could lose myself in those eyes—and I’m pretty sure I’d go willingly.
She turns the key. Nothing. She tries again. Silence. Her car is dead.
“Ugh, this can’t be happening,” she mutters, dropping her forehead onto the steering wheel, frustration radiating off her in waves. She turns the key one last time, her voice a desperate plea. “For the love of all that is holy, please, please don’t do this to me!” The car remains stubbornly silent, and her shoulders slump in defeat.
“Come on,” I say, pulling out my phone. Lisa steps out of the car and leans against it, arms crossed, impatience radiating from her as she shifts her weight from one foot to the other. I press a button and hold the phone to my ear.
“Hello, Carter’s Auto Repair,” a voice says in greeting after the first ring.
“Carter?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he replies.
“Hey, this is Mateo Cruz.”
“Mateo! I thought you were back in Mexico.”
“I'm here, at least until after the holidays,” I say, glancing back at Lisa. “Listen, I need a tow at Beacon Falls Café. It’s a late-model red Toyota Camry, license plate PRESTN99.”
There’s a pause. “Lisa’s car?”
The question throws me for a second. “Yeah… you know her?” I ask, locking eyes with Lisa.
“Sure do,” Carter replies, a casual familiarity in his tone. “We’ve gone out a couple of times.”
A strange, unexpected feeling twists in my chest. Lisa looks away, her patience thinning by the second, and suddenly, I feel a prickle of something uncomfortably close to jealousy.
"Thank you," Lisa whispers after I hang up the phone. "But that still leaves me stranded."
"Take Lily's car," I say, offering her the keys. "Just drop me off back at the house."