When Love Changes Everything (Linder Family #6)

18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Mateo

“How did it go?” I ask, as I watch Lisa walk through the door and hang up her coat. She moves with a tired grace, dropping her purse and keys on the coffee table before turning her full attention to me.

Her face betrays the weariness of the day, but there's something else—a storm I can’t quite read.

“We were in the middle of our conversation when Marian showed up,” she says, letting out a heavy sigh that echoes in the quiet room. She sinks onto the couch, her expression clouded with exhaustion and frustration.

“Marian?” My heart stirs with unease at the mention of her name.

"She was there to visit Davey," she murmurs. “But as soon as she saw me, she forgot all about him, and wasted no time in telling me you two... hooked up the last time she was here.

"We didn't." I exclaim, my tone defensive.

"No, wait," she says. "It gets better. She said she's pregnant with your child.”

I freeze. "What?" I mutter, my voice cracking with disbelief. "If Marian is pregnant, it sure as hell isn’t mine. Nothing happened between us."

I step closer, my gaze locked with hers, silently begging her to see the truth in my eyes. Slowly, I sit beside her, my fingers gently wrapping around hers. As I shift my weight to face her, her eyes drift over me—searching, assessing—and I feel it, that lingering shadow of doubt hanging between us.

“She’s beautiful,” Lisa whispers, her words barely audible. "You were single. Unattached. I don’t know... she seemed so sure of it."

Her words feel like a heavy stone pressing down on me, but I can’t let her think for one second that I’ve betrayed her. I shake my head, my voice filled with urgency. “Nothing happened, Lisa. You have to believe me.” I move closer still, letting the sincerity in my words sink in. “For the last six months, my every thought has been of you. I haven’t been with anyone—not even casually. And by casually, I mean not even a cup of coffee. My heart’s been yours, hermosa .”

She nods, but the hesitation in her eyes doesn’t disappear. I brush my thumb over her knuckles, trying to reassure her.

"I have no reason to lie to you," I whisper, my voice pleading. "Please... please tell me you believe me."

Her eyes search mine for the truth, and I can feel the tension between us. I need her to trust me, to see past the doubts and remember the love and commitment we share.

"I trust you," she finally says, her tone steady. "You're going to be my husband. The father of my children. If there's no trust between us, then there’s no future for us."

"I have never lied to you," I say, my voice filled with conviction. "And I never will."

Her lips twitch into a hesitant smile, but the doubt lingering in her eyes doesn't escape me. It weighs heavily on me, pushing me to prove every word, every feeling I have for her.

"How could I ever look at another woman?" I whisper. "When everything I've ever wanted is right here, with you."

"I believe you," she says, her gaze unwavering as it meets mine.

"Can I kiss you?" I whisper, wanting to confirm that the connection we've built remains intact.

"I'm your fiancée, silly," she says softly. "Of course you can kiss me."

I reach up, gently lifting her chin with my thumb. Slowly, I trace the outline of her lips, feeling the softness of her pout beneath my touch. I lean in and kiss her—lightly, savoring the sweetness of those lips.

When I pull back, her eyes flutter open, and there's a spark there—a mix of longing and reassurance. "Kiss me again," she breathes against my lips.

This time, I don’t hesitate. I kiss her deeply, thoroughly, as if trying to erase all the doubts and fears that have clouded the space between us since she walked in the door. "I love you, Annalisa," I whisper, my lips brushing against hers. "I will spend the rest of my life proving to you that I am a man for just one woman—you, hermosa ."

Her breath catches, and I feel it, the slight tremor in her chest as her hand comes up to rest against my heart. Her fingers curl into my shirt, grounding me to this moment.

"You’ve already proven it, Mateo," she whispers. "With every word, every look, every touch, you've shown me you're mine and no one else's."

Her words ignite something deep within me, a fierce need to make her feel how irrevocably she owns every part of me. I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing against her cheeks as I look into the sea of blue that is her eyes.

"I always have been," I murmur. "From the moment I first laid eyes on you, Annalisa, I was yours—long before I even realized it myself."

***

To make things easier, Lisa put her condo up for sale, and we paid cash for Philip's property—no banks, no delays, just a quick handshake, and it was ours. We got the keys two days ago, and the place already feels like home. Today, the furniture is being delivered, and the chaos has officially begun.

Noah, Adam and Aaron offered to help, so the four of us are here channeling our inner handymen, moving boxes, assembling furniture, and trying—and failing—to decipher the world’s most confusing instruction manuals. There’s a good dose of laughter and the occasional argument over which screw goes where—because apparently, everyone’s an expert until proven otherwise.

Meanwhile, Lisa is at Lily’s, helping the Linder sisters get everything ready for this afternoon’s big event: Lily and Noah’s gender reveal party. I can already hear the excitement brewing over there, with balloons, streamers, and no doubt plenty of guesses about whether it’s going to be a boy or a girl. All I know is that by the end of today, the furniture will be in place, and the gender reveal will be the cherry on top of a whirlwind day.

***

I lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Noah wrestle with one of two coffee tables. He’s crouched on the floor, a tiny wrench in one hand and a scowl on his face.

“Whoever designed this thing,” he mutters, shaking his head, “clearly never had kids. One wrong move, and it’s a weapon.”

Unable to hide the smirk on my lips, I mutter. “You know, there’s no shame in reading the instructions.”

Noah glances up, arching a brow. “I’ll figure it out. Eventually.”

He turns back to the table, and I take a slow breath, trying to muster the courage to dislodge the words caught somewhere between my gut and my throat. I’ve been putting this off, but there’s no more time.

“Speaking of kids,” I begin, my voice coming out huskier than I intended, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

Noah freezes for a moment, his shoulders stiffening just enough for me to notice. “What is it?” he asks without looking up.

I shift my weight, stepping closer. “Lisa and I… we were wondering if Davey might be our ring bearer at the wedding.”

The wrench slips from his hand, clattering to the floor. He sits back on his heels, finally meeting my gaze. His expression is unreadable.

“Davey? At your wedding?” His tone is cautious.

I nod, swallowing hard. “I know it’s complicated, Noah. And if you’re not okay with it, I’ll understand. But… I care about him. He’s a great kid, and we’d love for him to be part of this.”

Noah’s jaw tightens, his gaze dropping to the coffee table as if it holds the answer. The silence stretches long enough to make me nervous. Finally, he drags a hand through his hair and looks up.

“Davey would love it,” he says at last, his tone reluctant but sincere. “He’s been asking me all week about wearing a tie.”

Relief rushes through me so fast it leaves me almost speechless. “So… you’re okay with it?”

He picks up the wrench, a faint smile forming at the corners of his mouth. “I’m okay with Davey being your ring bearer.”

“Thank you," I say, feeling the tension easing from my shoulders. "This means a lot.”

"He also asked us if he could call you grandpa," he says, his gaze lifting to meet mine.

I nod, choosing to let him finish his train of thought before responding.

"Lily and I figured that since the baby will know you as grandpa, it makes sense for Davey to call you that too."

The sensation I feel in my chest is immediate. My heart feels full of love and gratitude for the trust they’ve placed in me. It’s not just a word, not just a title—it’s a sign of belonging, a connection between generations, and the gift of a second chance to be the man and father I’ve always wanted to be. A tear pricks at the corner of my eye, and for a brief moment, the weight of it all almost overwhelms me. But I hold it in, because this moment, this family, is everything.

Noah averts his gaze, not wanting to see me getting emotional. He tightens the last screw on the table leg and stands, brushing off his hands. For a moment, we just stand there, the weight of the past lingering between us. Then, without a word, he extends a hand. I take it without hesitation; his grip is firm and steady. His expression is serious, but there’s something in his eyes—something like acceptance.

It’s not exactly forgiveness. But it’s a start.

And for now, it's more than enough.

As he lets go of my hand, he glances over at the unopened box for the second coffee table. With a resigned sigh, he mutters, “And I suppose I’m building that one too.”

I grin, slapping him lightly on the shoulder. “Well, you’re the expert now.”

He shoots me a mock glare, picking up the tiny wrench again. “Next time, get an ottoman. Less assembly.”

I smile, nodding. “I will. You have my word.”

We both chuckle, and the tension between us softens just a little more.

***

After we finish at the house, everyone heads off in different directions to get ready for the party. I make my way back to the guesthouse, moving quickly. It’s been my home for weeks now—a quiet, familiar place where I can unwind.

The moment I step inside, I strip off my work clothes and head straight for the shower. The hot water pounds against my skin, easing the tension in my shoulders. I close my eyes, letting the steam wrap around me as my thoughts drift to Lisa.

Her smile flashes in my mind, the way it softens the sharp edges of my personality, making me believe in things I’d long given up on. She doesn’t just light up a room; she lights up my world. I can’t help but grin, anticipation building as I think about going to the party together as an engaged couple.

I shut off the water, towel off, and wrap the towel around my waist. The door to the guesthouse clicks shut, and I step out of the bathroom expecting to see Lisa.

But it’s not her.

Marian is sitting on the bed, her posture casual, like she belongs here. She doesn’t. Dressed in a sleek black dress that clings to her like a second skin and a pair of stiletto heels that scream sophistication, she looks every bit the polished, calculating woman she is. The sight of her only fuels my anger, a stark reminder of the chaos she’s trying to drag into my life. My grip on the towel instinctively tightens.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I snap, my voice sharp.

She doesn’t flinch. Instead, she tilts her head, her lips curving into a smile I know far too well. "God, you're sexy," she says, her gaze slowly dragging over me from head to toe, lingering just a second too long. "Especially when you're cross with me."

I take a deliberate step closer, my jaw clenching. "Whatever game you’re playing, Marian, it stops now."

"Relax, darling. We need to talk."

"No, you need to leave," I growl, taking a step closer. "You had the nerve to tell Lisa that you're pregnant? What were you thinking? Are you trying to ruin my life?!"

"It was a joke," she says, feigning innocence. "I only told her that to get a rise out of her. The last time we were together—"

"Stop," I cut her off, my voice rising. "You think you can lie about something like that? You’re completely delusional."

She uncrosses her long legs and rises to her full height, her gaze locking onto mine with that signature, arrogant confidence I once found irresistible. This woman is as stunning as she is ruthless—a dangerous combination I should have avoided at all costs. Of all the mistakes I’ve made in my life—and there are many—getting involved with Marian ranks near the top. The only thing worse was cheating on Sophia—a choice that still haunts me every single day.

"I want you, Mateo," she says, her voice low and deliberate. "It really is that simple. You and I have unfinished business." I watch as she reaches into her purse and pulls out a hotel room key. She holds it out to me, her lips curving into a sly smile.

I take a slow step forward, meeting her gaze with cold, unwavering resolve. "No, darling," I reply, letting my voice drip with the polished edge of an exaggerated English accent. "The only unfinished business between us is a goodbye."

Without waiting for her response, I stride to the door, grab the handle, and swing it open.

Lisa stands there, her fist frozen mid-air, poised to knock. Her eyes dart from me, still clad in nothing but a towel, to Marian, who stands a few feet away holding the damning key.

My heart lurches, and I immediately soften. " Hermosa ," I whisper, the word laden with both relief and desperation.

Lisa steps into the room, her blue eyes blazing with fury, the crisp winter air trailing her like an uninvited guest. Her gaze flicks over me, sharp and assessing, before she brushes past, her focus locked onto Marian with the intensity of a storm ready to strike.

"Marian," Lisa says, her tone calm but laced with razor-sharp edges, "what an unexpected… surprise. You do realize Davey lives in the main house, not here."

Marian’s lips curve into a smug smile, and she clutches her designer purse like a weapon. "I came to drop off my room key," she purrs, the words dripping with false sweetness. "Mateo needs his own copy for as often as he’s visiting."

Lisa’s eyes narrow, her head shaking slightly, as if weighing Marian’s words and finding them utterly ridiculous. "And when exactly would that have been?" she asks, crossing her arms tightly over her chest, her posture defiant. "I’d love to hear the timeline for your little fantasy."

Marian waves the key around carelessly, her fingers flicking it as though the situation is beneath her. "Oh, I don’t know," she replies with a casual shrug. "It’s hard to keep track."

Lisa’s eyes flash with quiet fury. "Your lies are starting to catch up with you, Marian," she says.

Marian’s lips twitch into a tight smile. "I see you're as territorial as your little friend, Lily," she retorts, her voice syrupy sweet. "I’m just catching up with Mateo. Old friends, you know. Friends with benefits, that is."

"Marian," I say, cutting in. "Please leave."

Marian’s polished exterior wavers, her eyes narrowing. "You really need to ask Mateo what he’s been up to on the nights he's not with you. I hate to remind you, but men like him don’t change, Lisa. And deep down, you know that."

"I know exactly who Mateo is," Lisa replies, "His flaws are no longer your problem. As his future wife, he's my problem now. I don't understand why you're trying so hard to write yourself into his story. What you're doing is desperate and embarrassing."

Marian takes a step closer, her heels clicking like warning shots. "You think you’ve won, don’t you? Let me tell you something. You might be marrying Mateo, but you’ll always have to share him with other women. Including me."

"Marian, get out," I say, holding the door open. "Before I lose every ounce of civility I have left."

Without another word, Marian storms out, the sharp click of her stilettos fading as she crosses the yard.

As the door slams shut, Lisa turns to me, her arms still crossed, her expression a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "That woman is unreal," she mutters, her gaze now narrowing on me, as if she’s just now noticing that I’m still half-naked. The corner of her mouth twitches in what could almost be a smirk.

"Well," I say, chuckling, suddenly feeling exposed, "I better put some clothes on. The party's about to begin."

Lisa’s gaze stays fixed on me, and the air between us thickens with unspoken intent. She arches an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smile as she steps closer.

"We’ve got time," she murmurs, her voice low and teasing.

"Time for what?" I ask, just as her arms slide around my neck.

Without thinking, I pull her closer with one arm, my other hand reaching behind her to engage the lock on the door.