Page 43 of Mateo & Nicole
“See, Mom? I told you he’d like it.”
“You sure did, kiddo,” she agreed. “I’ll make sure I never question you again.”
Mateo ruffled Paxton’s hair. “Paxton was telling me all about how his collarbone is healed up and is as strong as ever. Looks like we’re going to resume our riding lessons.”
Nikki fought the urge to tense. After Paxton got hurt, she was nervous, to say the least. But as long as her son was willing, she wasn’t going to stand in his way. The look on her face must have said it all because Mateo turned to Paxton. “We’re not gonna be able to go riding today, but Sophia made some fresh lemonade. I bet if you ask real nice, she’ll get us some to drink while we relax on the porch before dinner.”
Paxton frowned, his impatience shining through. Surprisingly, he didn’t argue. He took another bite of his ice cream and turned to rush for the house. As soon as Paxton was out of earshot, Mateo leaned in close and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he stays safe.”
“You can’t guarantee that,” she said, her eyes following Paxton as he ran. “But it’s something I’ve grown accustomed to.”
He frowned, his touch tracing along her jawline. “You’re upset about something.”
Nikki blinked. Geez! Why was she so transparent? She needed to guard her emotions better. Mateo shouldn’t be able to tell from a single glance that she was struggling with something. “I’m fine,” she blurted.
Mateo arched a brow. “Is this about Paxton riding? Or is it something else?”
It was a culmination of things. Yes, she was worried about Paxton. And she was concerned about Mateo holding back from her. Then there was the message from Caroline. Nikki sighed. “Just thinking.”
“Good thinking? Or bad thinking?”
She wanted to laugh, to cover up her weaknesses. But he was being so totally sweet she couldn’t avoid what she said next. “Being a mom means being prepared for the unknown. The future isn’t promised, and all that. In a second, something can happen to change fate.”
“That sounds really dismal,” he said, his voice sad and contemplative.
“Not really,” she said, tilting her head and gifting him with what she prayed was a warm and reassuring smile. “We have to hold on tight to all of the good in our lives, enjoy it, and be grateful for each and every moment.” She lifted her hands to his face and framed it between them. “You’re one of my happy moments.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he rasped, and his words filled her with a scorching heat that ripped through her body, blasting all her doubts into dust. That was what it was like, being here with him like this. There was good and bad in every relationship. Eventually, he’d confide in her.Eventually, he’d trust her enough to open up and give her everything.
Life was too short to waste it on wondering and fretting.
She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “I know,” she whispered.
Her thoughts shifted to Caroline’s message. Life was too short to hold onto the pain of the past, too. If Caroline didn’t think there was anything wrong between them and was reaching out to rekindle something…
Well, Nikki didn’t have to become her friend, but she didn’t have to completely ghost her either. She could meet with Caroline and tell her that she’d moved on from their friendship. It didn’t cost her anything to be kind.
While that idea didn’t cause her inherent joy, it didn’t seem nearly as bad as she’d originally thought. Nikki was the better person, and she wasn’t going to let anyone—let alone Caroline—drag her down.
Mateo grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s get that lemonade. And you can show me those X-rays that Paxton is so excited about.”
She laughed. “Sounds like a plan.”
20
Mateo
“Did you find what you were looking for?” The florist standing behind the counter smiled brightly at Mateo, her eyes warm and sparkling. There was a lilt to her voice, one he was incredibly familiar with—one that he’d used frequently when winning women over.
That time of his life was over.
There was only one woman for him.
He nodded, pulling out his wallet to purchase the bouquet he’d picked out for the love of his life. “This is all I need.”
“Would you like me to write anything on the card?”
He considered it for a moment. “For the girl from my past, and the one I want in my future.”
