Page 44 of Mateo & Nicole

The florist crooned as she nodded and wrote what he’d dictated. “That’s so sweet.”

“Thanks,” he said.

The last week had been strained. He wanted Nikki to know just how much she meant to him, no matter how tough things got.

Caroline had been persistent. She’d managed to track him down on social media and commented on several of his business posts for the ranch from different accounts. She’d private-messaged him and told him that she was going to be in town soon and wanted to meet up. He’d ignored every message. He had no interest in seeing her or speaking to her.

That woman was someone he wanted to keep in his past. She would have no part of his life or what he’d created from the ashes of her betrayal.

The florist handed him his card back along with the flowers. “I’m sure she’ll love them.”

He smiled. “Yes, she will. Thanks.”

Mateo stepped out of the floral shop, a whistle on his lips and a skip in his steps. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Nikki’s face when she saw the flowers he’d bought for her. He’d never gotten her flowers before, but he couldn’t imagine that she was one of those girls who would prefer something else.

Who didn’t love flowers?

Even if she didn’t like them, he’d figure out what she did like, and next time he’d make sure to get it for her.

He’d spend the rest of his life making sure she knew she was loved just like she deserved. No one deserved to be cherished more than Nikki. And no one deserved to feel as though they belonged than her amazing kid.

A woman collided with him just outside of the bookstore, and she gasped as the flowers nearly fell from his hands. “I’m so sorr—” Another gasp tore from her lips, followed by a sharp giggle. “Mateo? Oh my gosh, Mateo! I can’t believe we actually bumped into each other!” Caroline squealed her delight, her hands reaching out and grasping his forearms with both of her hands. She even jumped a little.

It was all overkill and reminded him so much of why he disliked her.

Mateo gritted his teeth until his jaw ached. He gripped the flowers dangerously hard as well. Seeing her brought back flashes of memories he had long since buried. And along with them came the debilitating pain.

All he could think about was how desperate he’d felt when he saw Caroline’s mother walk down the aisle with that look on her face.

Pity.

Apology.

He hadn’t realized why Caroline had abandoned him—not until a few hours later when word got to him that she’d left with one of her brother’s friends. They’d run off into the sunset with each other, not caring that Mateo was left behind to pick up all the shattered pieces of his wedding. It had destroyed him to the point that he couldn’t bring himself to speak of it after that day.

She squeezed his arms, and he tore away from her.

“There’s a reason I didn’t respond to your messages, Caroline. I don’t have anything to say to you.”

She pouted like she hadn’t ripped his heart from his chest and stomped on it. Then she flipped her hair and placed a hand on her hip. “I know I hurt you, Mateo.”

He scoffed, but that was all he could muster.

Caroline frowned, her expression dissolving into something that resembled guilt—or as close as someone like Caroline could get to it. “I wanted to clear the air.”

“I don’t need the air cleared. I’ve moved on. And I’m sure you have too.”

“That’s just it,” Caroline said, inching closer to him. “You don’t know how much I’ve agonized over what happened between us.”

Mateo hated how much that confession brought him satisfaction. This wasn’t him. This person who was callous and unforgiving. And yet, she was the woman who had turned his world upside down and left him in pieces.

She reached out to touch his face, but he jerked away from her. “Don’t.” His voice wasn’t as strong as it should have been. It was as if he’d used up all his energy simply reliving his past, that he couldn’t fight her off if he tried. He swallowed down the lump in his throat. “Don’t touch me.”

Caroline had the good grace to nod and look somewhat chagrined. “Will you get coffee with me? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I…” Her voice trailed off, and emotion filled it unlike anything he’d heard from her before.

It tugged at his heart in a way that made him feel sick inside. He shoved down that feeling and straightened, waiting for her to continue her plea.

“Please let me try to make this right.”

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