Page 66 of Mateo & Nicole

“You can’t help though, Sophia. This isn’t about you. This is about me and Mateo, and there’s nothing that can be done.” He wanted Caroline. He’d never denied it. And his actions had proved it.

Her friend squeezed her hand. “Look, I get it. He’s got baggage, but Mateo?—”

“I didn’t care about his baggage, Sophia,” she muttered with exasperation, tugging her hand free. “I cared about him. I…” Tears sprang to her eyes as the torrent of emotions burst out. “I loved him. He was everything to me. He made me feel…” She sucked in a shuddering breath. “He made me feel like I was the most beautiful girl in the world.”

She turned away, hating the embarrassment that came with that confession. The insecurities she’d dealt with for her entire life had been laid out for Sophia’s viewing pleasure, and now there was no hiding it.

“Nikki—” Sophia rounded the island, but Nikki stopped her.

“Don’t. Okay? There’s nothing to fix. If there was, it would have already happened. Honestly? I want to let it go. I’m tired of chasing something that isn’t meant to be.”

“You don’t know that,” she said quietly.

“But I do. You wouldn’t understand.” Nikki shut her eyes tight. Sophia was the epitome of perfection. She wasn’t a stick by any means, but she was slender and toned. Her work with the horses had made her someone who turned heads wherever she went. Coupled with her dark hair and perfect skin tone—Sophia could have been a goddess in another life. She’d never grasp what Caroline had put Nikki through.

Thankfully, Sophia didn’t argue. She simply pulled Nikki into her arms and held her tight. And for now, that was all Nikki needed.

* * *

Sophia:Hey, I got a new horse today. He doesn’t have a name. Think Paxton would want to do the honors?

It was getting late.Dinner had been cleaned up, and Paxton was coloring away in his book. Nikki glanced over at him and smiled. “Sophia has a surprise for you in the barn. You want to check it out?”

His head popped up, and his grin was the only thing worth living for. “Really? Is she getting me a horse?”

Nikki laughed, holding out her hand. “No. Sorry, bud, but we don’t have the money for something like that. But it’s close.”

He frowned with concentration. “What is it?”

“It’s a surprise, silly,” she poked him in the ribs, and he laughed as he held his stomach.

They walked hand in hand toward the barn, and Nikki glanced around them. She knew she shouldn’t be looking for Mateo, but she’d seen him only once today, and that was on her way to start lunch. She’d forced herself to look away before he caught her staring. Nikki was so over the embarrassment of longing for someone who would never want her in the same way.

She thought it would have been easier by now. But apparently her heart wasn’t ready to let go.

Paxton glanced up at her, and she squeezed his hand as she smiled back. He was her whole world now. She’d focus on that and nothing else.

Sophia waved them over, grinning broadly. “He’s over here.”

Paxton released Nikki’s hand and ran forward. “Who?”

“The new horse.” Sophia glanced at Nikki, and something in her eyes said there was more to what was happening. “I’ve already got him saddled for you. But you need to pick a name.”

Paxton stared at her with wide eyes. “I get to name him?”

She nodded. “You get to name him, kiddo.”

Paxton scrunched up his face with concentration after getting a good look at the chestnut horse. “Mmm. How about…” he drawled. “Dragon.”

Sophia laughed. “That’s quite a name.”

“It is,” Nikki agreed.

“I think it’s perfect,” a low, timbered voice uttered behind her.

Nikki jumped, and Paxton turned to smile at the one person she wasn’t ready to see up close. Mateo’s fingertips brushed against hers, and she sucked in sharply.

“What do you say I help you take him for a ride in the corral?” Sophia asked, her eyes landing on Nikki. She was going to be sorry for this.

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