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“Please don’t do that. I need you here with me.”
“That’s the only place I want to be.”
We’re still standing in the kitchen with our arms around each other when Gladys and Mateo return. He’s wearing his swimsuit and arm floaties. He stops short when he sees us hugging.
“Ew, were you kissing?”
Nico laughs as he releases me. “We were about to, but then you showed up.”
“Gross.”
“You won’t always think so, pal. How about another swimming lesson before I go to work?”
“Yes!”
I give Mateo a pointed look. “What do you say to Nico?”
“Thank you, Nico.”
“My pleasure, buddy.”
Nico sneaks me a kiss. “Text me when you get to work, or I’ll worry.”
“I will.”
“Text me nonstop all night, or I’ll worry.”
“I will.”
We smile at each other and steal another kiss.
“Love you,” he whispers. “Can’t wait for tomorrow. It’s going to be so fun, and who needs to get out of town more than we do right now?”
“No one. I love you, too. Thank you for being there for me.”
“Always. Mateo, give your mom a hug. She’s going to work.”
He comes over and gives me the fastest hug possible.
“You can do better than that,” Nico says. “Hug her like you mean it.”
Sighing, Mateo hugs me again, as tight as he possibly can.
“Love you, boo.”
“Love you, too, Mama.”
“Be good for Nico and Gladys.”
“I will.”
I watch as they go outside, the man I love and the little boy who is my world.
“He’s a good man,” Gladys says.
“Yes, he is.”
If anything happens to that good man because of me, I’ll die. It’s that simple.
