Unknown:
Hey, this is Nick. Just wanted you to know that I keep my promises. Tabloids were going to go live with camera pics of you and Mateo last night. I was able to get those blocked and instead offered them somethingbetter. Our team’s photographers got some pretty nice shots of you two, and I had them retouching and editing them to what I hope is your liking all night. Those are the pictures you’ll see on the covers of every newspaper and magazine this morning. And I went ahead and took the liberty of planting some background info on you. Hope you don’t mind my being busy, because I made sure your book cover design business was name dropped. And in regard to your ex, I made sure his name was scrubbed from any association with you, although I should give you a heads-up and say that it doesn’t mean internet sleuths might not pick up on it. So just be ready if, later on, the connection is made. But I wouldn’t harp on that, since I’m sure this story is going to be the main attraction for weeks to come. Just realized the time and the fact that you don’t have my number saved. I texted the message above to Mateo so I don’t have an angry pitcher coming for me on Monday morning. Cheers -Nick Stonehaven
I spin in place, jaw dropped.
Mateo is already standing there with my brand-new iPad and the cover of the biggest magazine in the country pulled up.
And smack dab in the middle, barely making room for the headlines, are Mateo and me, wrapped up in one another as we kiss as much as our smiles will permit.
It looks like a cover of a rom-com movie.
It looks like the book cover of my dreams come to life. And somehow, it’s my love story.
I make grabby hands at the device like the adult that I am. “Gimme. Hand it over.”
Mateo chuckles as he lowers himself back to the bed, leaning on the soft headboard, and nudges me down to sit between his legs so he can read over my shoulder.
And within moments, I’m in tears.
Mateo silently kisses my temple as I read out loud.
“According to sources, Isabella Morales is the founder and CEO of Bella Covers, a Latina run small business that offers a multitude of services in the booming book cover design world.”
It goes on to say,“Morales, 25, seems to be the bright light in Martinez’s, 33, new life in the spotlight. Last night marked his first appearance speaking in his native tongue, as well as stepping out with a love interest. It seems like Isabella and Mateo are each other’s endgame, and we can’t wait to see how much of their happily ever after they decide to share with us.”
“It’s… they’re being nice. To me.” I turn, wrapping my arms around Mateo’s neck as I nuzzle into his chest. “It’s perfect.” I smile as tears continue to fall silently.
“You’re perfect.” He kisses my hair. “And I owe Nick a very expensive bottle of whiskey.”
forty-six
The next two weeksare extremely busy.
Just as Nick promised.
My work email has been flooded with book cover requests. And the book box company I was able to snag a deal with before my photos with Mateo went viral is offering me an insane amount of money to be their in-house cover designer. They want to give me a set salary for giving them a certain number of exclusive covers for the next year.
Mateo hovers over my shoulder, reading as many incoming emails as I allow him, like a proud stage parent. Going as far as flagging certain emails that praise the work posted on my Instagram page and requesting I print them. Creating what he calls the “my woman is a badass” folder.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take a peek inside every other day or so and pinch myself, since it’s hard to believe that this is my life now.
A life that includes family dinners, where my mom and Bethzaida go to town in Mateo’s kitchen as he and my dad get lost in deep baseball history conversations while setting the table and keeping Anna entertained. The house speakers are on most of the time now, having an array of music playing at all times. Though the moms usually take over that arena as well when they come over. “Matí, have you told Isabella how much you love Ednita Nazario yet? Oh and don’t forget Luis Fonsi!” Bethzaida once shouted over her shoulder as Mateo groaned from the couch.
But the most interesting thing happened this morning in bed.
When Mateo fired me.
Yep, that’s right. What was once my worst fear was now just plain rude.
“I didn’t even earn a strike!” I argued as Mateo laughed.
“You’ll always be there for Anna and me. I know that in my heart. But you got yourself a big girl job now that you need to focus on. I’ll worry about finding your replacement, if we even need one between you, me, and my mother.”
“My work schedule is flexible, and I work better early in the morning or late at night anyway. So I could still pick up and drop off Anna from school. I really don’t mind.”
“And if you can’t, my mother or I can step in. Ever since we decided to cut back on Anna’s extracurriculars, the scheduling has been easier to manage anyway.”
“Or my mom. She’s been glued to Anna’s side since the charity game.”
