Chapter 27
Kiss the Man
Holly
Ihug Reina and hook my arm through hers, guiding us a few steps away from my nosey brother and my too-good-for-me husband.
Reina’s eyes meet mine, her eyebrows pulled together. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t understand,” I mutter.
“Understand what?” Reina looks over her shoulder and winks at Alex before tugging me toward the refreshment table. She peruses the small treats but doesn't grab any even as I take a moment to gather my thoughts.
“Why does Mateo keep playing dumb? I know he’s smart and very capable of having intelligent conversations. Why is he letting people talk bad about him? He keeps playing dumb and then talking me up, giving me all these compliments. Why is he playing the part of country bumpkin?”
Reina turns from her perusal, grabbing both of my hands in hers. “Holly, have you seen the way Mateo looks at you? That man cannot take his eyes off of you. He’s very much in love with you.”
My heart leaps into my throat, and I freeze. “What? No way.”
Reina smiles softly and squeezes my hands.
“Girl, Mateo has always been protective of those he loves. He’s a genius and knows not to take dumb men’s comments seriously.
Mateo cares about you and wants you to look good.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s playing the part of a country bumpkin for fun as a prank, but also to help you shine. ”
I’m torn between laughing and wanting to cry. It’s such a sweet sentiment, but I hate it at the same time. “I don’t want him to play a part. I want him to be himself.”
Reina shrugs, her dark wavy hair falling over her shoulder with the movement.
She tilts her head toward me, and I can’t avoid looking into her kind eyes.
“Then you need to show him he's exactly what you want. Let him know that you want him to be himself, that you don’t want him to change for society. Tell him that you care about him more than the opinions of the people here. You do care for him, don’t you? ”
I shrink under Reina’s perceptive gaze and I lean my head back, wishing I was a turtle with a shell I could retreat into. “I care for him as a friend. We’re friends.”
Reina smirks and rolls her eyes. “Don’t lie to yourself, girl, you like him as more than a friend.”
I stand up straight, defensive, even though I shouldn’t be.
If there is anyone I know I can trust with my feelings, it’s Reina.
I at least know she thinks our marriage is a good idea, even if my brother doesn’t.
But I’m not ready to admit it to her, especially when I haven’t admitted it to Mateo yet.
“How do you know? You’ve only been here for the past few minutes!
We haven’t even seen you guys since the wedding. ”
Reina arches her eyebrows at me and drops my hands so she can fold her arms and glare.
I only last five seconds before caving. “Fine. He’s handsome and I might have a teensy tiny crush on him.”
Reina’s smile is radiant and giddy. Her hard posture immediately softens and she clasps her hands in front of her chest. “Have you kissed him yet?”
My cheeks heat. “We haven’t kissed since the wedding. I feel like that would be weird.”
Reina giggles. “You mean you think kissing your husband would be weird?”
I swat at her arm before covering my eyes. “Oh my gosh, Reina. Don’t say it like that!”
She laughs as if this is the best joke she’s ever heard. “What? That Mateo is your husband? You know most spouses kiss, right?”
“Yes!” I exclaim before dropping my voice to a whisper. “Reina, our marriage isn’t real.”
Reina smirks. “Well, if that look in Mateo’s eye isn’t real, then I don’t know what is.”
I look at Mateo. His eyes catch mine, and I can’t look away as he and Alex walk toward us.
I break my gaze away for a brief moment when Alex reaches Reina.
There is no denying Alex’s fierce love for Reina.
He looks at her with more love and tenderness than I’ve ever seen in any movie, or in real life.
I look back at Mateo, and it takes a second to realize he’s looking at me the same way Alex looks at his wife.
Mateo’s eyes are soft, a tender smile on his lips as he approaches.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I meet his gaze, and when his hand softly touches the small of my back, electricity races up my spine as it has every time he’s touched me.
I turn away only to see Alex kiss Reina. Reina melts into him, and though the kiss isn’t long, it’s tender and sweet, and my heart aches for something similar.
Mateo leans down, tucking a hair behind my ear before his lips brush the tender skin there as he whispers, “Should we kiss, too?”
Fire leaps to my cheeks, and I shake my head. I’m not prepared for the emotional upheaval that would cause quite yet.
Mateo chuckles and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into his side.
“Don’t worry, I don’t think we need to convince anyone our relationship is real with a kiss. Your blush is doing that just fine.”
I don’t think I’ll ever need to wear blush again.
I can’t help but snuggle into Mateo’s side, comforted by his warmth, presence, and the ever-present scent of wood. There’s a slight pressure on the crown of my head, and my heart thumps an extra beat as he pulls away from kissing my hair.
It hits me that I don’t feel like a third wheel around Alex and Reina tonight. As my brother and his wife drift off to talk to their own acquaintances, I stay tucked into Mateo’s side.
The man who has planted himself in my heart like one of his fruit trees he fondly talks of.