Page 146 of Anything But Lonely

My lips part, but before I can come up with a response, Mateo’s smirk grows.

I blink, trying to think of something to say.

“No need to explain yourself,” Mateo says as he leads us through the parking lot. “I know it’s just a matter of time until I get those three words too.”

I gasp dramatically. “I didn’t know you could count.”

Mateo rolls his eyes. “Obviously I can count.”

We both laugh as we walk to his car. “Someone sounds jealous of a five-year-old.”

“Not jealous.” Mateo reaches to open the passenger-side door. “Just curious,” he says, stretching out the word.

I snort as I sit down. “Curious?”

“Yes. I’m just wondering where I rank.”

I shake my head. “You’re asking me to rank yourself against your son?”

Mateo scoffs. “I think we all know it’s clear where I stand when it comes to the two of you.”

“Good point.”

“But I figured I was next in line—unless it’s the cat.”

I stare at him. “She has a name.”

“What she has is a personal vendetta against me.”

“Dramatic,” I scoff.

Mateo leans down, his smile softening as he meets my eyes. The teasing, the flirting, the banter… It’s all just a distraction for what’s actually happening. “So…” His voice lowers. “Since Crew got his three words,” he pauses, “do I get mine?”

Mateo is giving me the opportunity to decide what happens next, waiting for me to show my hand, letting me be the one to either fold or go all in.

He’s been patient with me this last month. So incredibly patient as I’ve tried to figure out how to be myself again. He hasn’t rushed me. He hasn’t pushed for answers I wasn’t ready to give. He’s just been there—steady and constant, reminding me that I don’t have to have everything figured out all at once.

And just like he knows I love him, I know he loves me too.

He shows me in every little thing he does. In the way he brings me coffee in the morning without asking. In the way he sends me a text when he knows I’m having a hard day, not expecting a response, just reminding me that he’s there.

He shows me when he takes over with Crew so I can have a quiet moment. When he notices I’m getting overwhelmed and finds some ridiculous way to make me laugh before I even realize I need it. When he remembers the tiny details I don’t think anyone else notices—the things I like, the things that bother me, the things I casually mention once and somehow he never forgets.

He shows me in the way he never makes me feel like my grief is inconvenient. In the way he lets me talk when I need to and sits with me when I don’t have the words.

I’ve numbed myself, over and over again, just to escape the feeling of being alone.

And now, I finally know what it feels like to be found.

I press my lips to Mateo’s, wrapping my arms around his neck, and I think I catch him by surprise by the way his lips are taut against mine before he melts into me.

“I love you,” I whisper against his lips.

The words barely leave me before he’s kissing me again, like he’s been waiting his whole life to hear them. His hand slides to the back of my neck, pulling me closer, and I feel the smile against my mouth.

“Until my last breath, baby,” he whispers. “I’m yours.”

EPILOGUE