Page 13 of Mateo & Nicole
“Wait, you do?”
He could have slugged Daniel for the third degree he was getting. “You said you heard the stories.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I heard about your history. I just heard about the girl who broke your heart, and she was friends?—”
“That’s history enough.” Mateo strode away, needing to end this conversation. He didn’t want to relive the past. And he had zero intention of writing a new future for himself and Nikki, so there was no reason to discuss this situation any further.
“Does that mean you’re not coming to the meeting?” Daniel called out.
“I’ll be there,” Mateo called back. Even if it was just so he could catch a glimpse of the girl he was quickly realizing he’d become enamored with.
* * *
The cafeteria smelled like heaven.The second Mateo entered the building, he had to stop to appreciate the blend of spices and herbs that she’d used in her recipe. She hadn’t been lying when she’d told him that she was experienced enough to be the chef.
Two men were in the kitchen with her, looking more out of place than ducks surrounding a swan. They wore their cowboy garb, complete with their hats and boots. Their responsibilities in the kitchen would be only part of the work they’d complete while on this ranch. During the time when they weren’t needed in the kitchen, they’d work to maintain the stables.
They were younger, just out of high school and definitely wet behind the ears. But they were also eager to learn.
Nikki was the last to look up when he entered the kitchen. Her eyes locked with his in a moment when the earth stopped spinning. In the corner at a small table, Paxton was working hard on a coloring book filled with horses.
The kid was made to be a cowboy. There was no doubt in Mateo’s mind of that, and for some reason, it brought him joy beyond measure. Paxton didn’t belong to him, and yet he couldn’t shake this feeling that he was meant to be here.
Shrugging off the strange feeling, Mateo returned his focus to Nikki, but she had returned to her task at hand.
“Mark, the gravy. You have to keep stirring it until it thickens or we’re going to end up with a lumpy mess. Jason, take the cornbread out of the oven. It’s going to burn if we don’t get it out right now.” Nikki hustled toward something on the stove. She dipped a spoon into the pot and withdrew what looked like some creamy mashed potatoes. She sampled it, then reached for some salt.
She’d successfully pushed him out of her orbit without a second thought. It was actually impressive—or proof that he didn’t affect her like she was affecting him.
Hmm. He had mixed feelings about that.
Without looking at him, she called out. “Is there something you need, Mr. Palmer? Or are you just curious how a kitchen works?”
He bit back a chuckle. He’d come in here with the excuse that he wanted to check on her, but deep down, he simply wanted to spend time with her. If she was any other person, he might tell her that, but this was Nikki, and something was holding him back. He needed to be professional.
Mateo shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Just making sure you have everything you need.”
She paused and tossed a look in his direction. A myriad of emotions flickered on her face, after which she gave him a short nod. “I’ve got everything I need, thank you. Will you be staying for supper?”
He grinned, and a flirtatious comment threatened to escape his tongue, but he refrained as he reminded himself that they weren’t alone. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Nikki gave him another curt nod.
Mateo wanted to stay, to linger and just spend time with her. He was tempted to move closer, to help her with the meal—any excuse to be with her. But she was busy. And clearly, she wasn’t interested in his company.
He took his leave, heading out to where the rest of the men were starting to spill into the room. Most of them looked in high spirits, and a sense of comradery spread between them. But Mateo didn’t have much time to survey his new employees before Jason, Mark, and Nikki exited through swinging doors with trays of food.
He found himself drawn to her as he watched her serving up the meals to the men. That smile. Those eyes. He couldn’t get enough. One moment, he was leaning against the wall, watching her work. And the next, he was beside her as she motioned for her helpers to get themselves something to eat.
“You certainly look to be in your element,” he whispered behind her ear, drawing a gasp from her lips. She stiffened but didn’t turn to face him.
“Yeah, well, I did tell you that I was good at this sort of thing.”
He moved even closer, standing directly behind her. “That you did.” His voice was so low that there was no chance the people in the room could hear him. “I should have known you would be an overachiever. You were always really good at raising the bar. It was something I always admired about you.” Mateo shifted until he was at her side and his arm brushed against hers.
Warmth sparked between them, sending tingles skittering along his skin until he had to stare at his arm to make sure nothing wrong was happening.
He almost missed the sharp intake of breath from her lips. Then again, maybe that had been his own. No one was looking. No one would know if he chose to go against his own better judgment and flirt with her.
