Page 57 of Mateo & Nicole
The confession was in her throat at that moment. She wanted to tell Caroline that they were together. Mateo cared for her, not Caroline. But her doubts restrained her. Maybe Caroline was right.
“No,” Nikki mumbled, shaking her head.
“You say something?”
Nikki glowered at Caroline. “You’re wrong. Mateo is nothing like you. He’s kind and sweet, and he doesn’t care about that sort of thing. We’re dating.”
Caroline snorted a laugh. “Oh,sweetheart. Is that what he told you?”
Nikki clenched her hands into fists, hating the way Caroline was speaking to her.
Her lower lip protruded again, and she shook her head with a cluck of her tongue. “Normally, I’d be jealous that he spent time with you. But what I really feel is pity.”
Pity?
Caroline sighed. “Don’t feel dumb, Nikki. We can all fall for the lies of someone when they’re good at weaving them. Don’t you see it? We’re both being played. Me, because he’s trying to make me jealous. You because…” Her eyes trailed up and down her frame again. “Well, you get what I’m saying.”
Nikki couldn’t believe it. She wouldn’t believe it. Mateo was nothing like Caroline. He wasgood.
And yet he’d lied.
Twice.
That lump returned to her throat. How could she believe Mateo when she’d seen with her own eyes that they’d spent time together?
“Here, let me get you a drink. You look like you need one.” Caroline edged out of her seat and headed straight for the bar, leaving Nikki to drown in her despair. Within a few seconds, someone settled into Caroline’s vacant spot.
Slowly, Nikki lifted her eyes and stared at a handsome cowboy. His sleeves were short enough to show off his muscular form. He had a charming smile, and he pushed a drink toward her. He must work at the bar.
Her thoughts were confirmed when he cocked his head and said, “This one is on the house. Your friend said you were in need of a pick-me-up.”
Nikki offered him a small smile, accepting the glass. Her fingers accidentally brushed his, and she snapped back. “Sorry.”
“No worries, darlin’. Let me know if you need anything else.” He winked at her, but it did nothing. All Nikki could think about was Mateo’s smile, the way he smelled, and the way she felt when he touched her.
Nikki stared at the drink, frowning at its contents. She needed to get back home. She couldn’t just stay here and let Caroline drag her into the depths of her own personal purgatory. She needed to talk to Mateo. Either they were going to work this out or they were going to be over. One way or another, she’d have her answer.
26
Mateo
Mateo’s world was crashing down around him.
This couldn’t be happening.
Not again.
He squeezed his eyes shut, an all-familiar numbness taking hold of his heart. No, he wasn’t numb. He was cold. His body had chilled from the inside out, and it felt like ice crystals were starting to fracture within his very soul.
Opening his eyes again, he stared at his phone’s screen.
Nikki was smiling. She was staring into the eyes of some stranger at a restaurant. The table had been set for two. It was a date.
His hand tightened on the device, and for a moment, he thought he might crack the screen with the strength of his grasp. With controlled fury, he placed the phone screen down on the counter.
Not again.
Why her?
