Page 76 of My Secret Bandit

“Jamie. Can you help me with my homework, please?” Amelia smiled the sweetest smile and batted a set of thick lashes at me.

Obviously, the Linx charm is genetic.

“Of course.”

Mateo gave a quick kiss to my temple before heading for the kitchen. I stayed with Amelia, who turned her attention to a half-completed worksheet. She kneeled next to the coffee table, and I sat on the couch beside her.

“Uh oh. She got you.” Amelia gave a big smile to her grandfather, then went back to her work.

“She did.” I chuckled. “She’s so precious I couldn’t say no even if I wanted to.”

“Oh, trust me. She knows.” He laughed.

Amelia worked through different math problems, only looking to me to make sure I came up with the same answer she did. Thankfully, Amelia was seven and not seventeen. Elementary word problems I can handle, but anything after algebra would definitely require the help of a more suitable adult like the teacher currently in the kitchen.

“Jameson,” Mateo called from around the corner.

Inside the kitchen, the aromatic scent of garlic and other spices welcomed me. “Oh, honey. Finally,” his mom said, moving across the kitchen. Shoulder length wavy brown hair, bright light brown eyes, and a soft, comforting smile skipped across the room to envelope me in her own tight hug.

“I’m Benny. Well, Benita, but only my parents call me that… or Thomas, when I come home with too many shopping bags.” She laughed, the sound of it so light and pretty it made the room look brighter.

“I’m so happy I’m finally meeting you. Mateo is taking good care of you?” Pulling away, she held onto my shoulders and eyed me. Her accent shone through as she said Mateo’s name.

My gaze shifted between her and her son, who nervously waited for my answer.

“Of course. He’s sweet and considerate, funny but serious when he needs to be. And extremely humble, which you probably know is rare for people with as much talent and charm as he has. He says it’s all thanks to you and Thomas. You raised a good one. The best one, actually.”

She smiled, and my eyes moved back to Mateo.

He smiled too, his cheeks glowing with a slight flush.

“Oh. Thank you, Jamie. From what I’ve heard, your mom raised a good one too.” She winked sweetly. That gesture filled with just enough emotion to suggest Mateo informed her of my parent situation. I was thankful to him for saving me from awkwardly moving through questions about them.

“Dinner is almost ready. Why don’t you two go relax, and I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

“You want a house tour?” Mateo asked.

“Lead the way.”

He grabbed my hand and together we headed up the stairs, stopping to look at pictures hung on the walls.

“This is Amelia’s room,” he said, opening the door to reveal a princess themed room complete with a glittery pink canopy draped over a beanbag in the corner.

Next was an office. Military regalia and Mateo’s old jerseys hung on the walls with pictures of the family and trophies accumulated through the years. We went into the guest room where Tom was building a reading nook. A bed sat in one corner and on the other side, against the window, were two shelves on either side of a half-completed bench. His parent’s room was the last one. We entered only to go out on the balcony; using the stairs that led to the backyard.

Enjoying the comfortable weather, we strolled around the side of the house, back to the garden and pergola. Mateo sat on the swing and I sat next to him, kissing his cheek before resting my head on his shoulder.

We weren’t out there long before Amelia came running over to us. “Abuelita said to tell you dinner is ready.”

“Don’t want to keep her waiting,” Mateo said, his smile as peaceful as I’d ever seen it. “Hey, Milly.”

Amelia turned, her face flashing with a mischievous grin as she finished his sentence. “I’ll race ya.”

She took off sprinting, her curls flowing behind her as she went.

“You better hurry. She looks pretty fast,” I teased, nudging Mateo.

He jogged after her, slowing down as they got closer to the front door.

---