Authors: Caroline Mickelson
“I’m fine, except I’m a bit confused about something I heard.” There was a brief hesitation before his aunt spoke again. “Mateo, I’m not sure if it’s a side effect of the medication or what it’s related to, but Papa clearly insisted today that you told him you’re engaged. I tried to tell him he might have misunderstood but he insisted you told him so yourself. What do you think is going on?”
Mateo sat on the edge of his desk. “It’s not the meds, Tia. It’s true. I told Abuelo that I’m going to be getting married.”
“But we didn’t even know you were dating anyone, Mateo.”
He sighed. He was not perfect, nor was he a paragon of virtue, but Mateo did consider himself to be a truthful man. But now he was about to start a crash course in deceiving his family. He closed his eyes and dove headfirst into his first verbal crime. “I’m proposing to her tonight.”
His Aunt laughed. “Really? That’s wonderful! But you’re a scoundrel, Mateo, for hiding your lady love from us all this time.”
“I am, I know,” he conceded quickly. He was a scoundrel but his intentions were honorable. “But, Tia Sylvia, please don’t say anything to anyone just yet. Not until I can tell everyone at once. Promise?”
“I’ll promise only if you let me throw a huge engagement party for you, otherwise, no deal.”
“Sounds great,” he quickly agreed. “Thank you.” He glanced up the clock. “I’m sorry but I have a quick meeting before I can leave today so I have to run.”
“Okay, sweetie, but can’t you at least tell me the lucky girl’s name? Or where you’re going to propose?”
It was his turn to laugh. “And have thirty-five Ortegas show up to watch me propose? No way, Tia. Just wish me luck.”
He was going to need it.
Chapter Two
Ava felt like a jittery sixteen-year-old as she dressed for her dinner meeting. She’d gone home to shower and change. Not that her work outfit, a pair of black palazzo pants and a sleeveless white blouse, wasn’t nice enough for Papagayos. It was. But if the man who invited her to dinner to discuss buying the house was who she thought it was, she wanted to look at her best. Vain? Ava knew it was. But she hadn’t seen Mateo Ortega in over twelve years and she didn’t want to face him looking like the insecure, unsure girl she used to be.
She surveyed the clothes strewn across her bed. There had to be something decent here. Her income was steady and, although she didn’t over spend on her clothes, she did invest in a wardrobe that projected the upscale, confident, successful image she wanted to convey. She sat down on the edge of the bed and bit her lip. What did she want to convey this evening? Certainly not her nervousness. And she was nervous about seeing Mateo again after all this time.
She closed her eyes and a rush of memories came flooding back to her. She could see herself sitting on the front porch of her mother’s home, knees drawn to her chest, watching the Ortega boys outside in their grandparents’ yard playing football. She’d always had a book in her hands but had never really got much reading done. The book had been to duck behind in case any of the boys thought she was watching them. But even if they had noticed, they would just smile and wave. They’d all been kind.
And handsome, Mateo most of all. His dark hair was almost black, his eyes the same color brown as a cup of warm coffee, but it was his smile that used to make her heart race. His smile had reflected everything he was – kind, fun, energetic, caring.
Ava reached for a turquoise blue silk blouse with gold embroidery around the square neckline. Every time she wore it she received compliments on how well it matched her eyes. She also knew the color complimented her golden blond hair. She slipped the blouse on and reached into her closet for the skirt that matched it. She drew a pair of gold-tone sandals from the closet shelf, glad she’d had a manicure and pedicure two days ago. After much fussing with her hair, she decided to wear it in a French braid. This was, after all, not a date. It was meant to be a meeting about a piece of property and she needed to act accordingly. She slipped her tablet into her purse. She was ready for business. And so were the butterflies in her stomach.
**
Mateo arrived at Papagayos twenty minutes before he was due to meet Ava. He’d finished up his meeting, hit the gym, gone home and changed, and still he had time to kill. He ordered a beer and sat at the bar where he could keep an eye on the door. He wondered how much Ava had changed since he’d last seen her. Did she remember the last time they’d been together the same way he did? He could still remember that night on her mom’s front step, how bright the moon had been, and how insanely beautiful she’d looked. He’d wanted to ask her out but she’d been nervous and he hadn’t wanted to spook her. It was only a few weeks after her mother had passed away. Ava had been heartbroken at her loss and he knew she needed more time so he’d decided to wait until she was ready.
And then she’d disappeared. No, not exactly disappeared. She’d packed up and moved out one weekend while he was out of town at a soccer tournament. Several of his aunts had begged her not to be hasty, they’d told him, but Ava had been insistent. Finally they’d said goodbye to her after she’d promised to come back to visit. But she never did.
“Another beer?” The bartender asked, his voice breaking through Mateo’s memories.
“No, thanks.” He pushed the empty bottle away. “Glass of water maybe?”
The bartender nodded. “Sure thing.”
Mateo nodded gratefully when a glass of ice water was set in front of him. He tossed the water back and popped a mint into his mouth before glancing at his watch. Ten minutes and counting. He pulled out his wallet and placed a ten dollar bill on the bar. He might as well wait at their table in case Ava came early.
The hostess wasn’t at the podium so he waited in the entry way. Papagayos was a family owned Mexican restaurant that served authentic dishes that even his own mother had to admit were delicious. The interior color scheme was a riot of parrot green and bell pepper red with colorful serapes on the walls. Lush green plants dotted the floor, and colorful mosaic top tables with black wrought iron furniture surrounded an indoor fountain. Mateo hoped that Ava would like his choice of restaurant. He couldn’t help but smile. He was acting like this was his first date.
“Mateo?” A women’s voice behind him called.
He whirled around. The woman wasn’t Ava. It took him just a moment to place her. Jill. That was it. She had been a part-time speech therapist at the elementary school before she’d had her second child and left her job to stay home with her children. “Jill, hey, good to see you.”
Jill smiled brightly and leaned in to kiss his cheek, her hand resting on his forearm. “Hi yourself. How have you been?”
They chatted about her children and about school district news for several minutes. Suddenly remembering that a principal at a neighboring school was looking for a very part-time speech therapist, he mentioned it. When she said that she might be interested, he asked her to make sure to get her contact information to him so he could pass it on. Mateo resisted looking at his watch or at the door but he was relieved when she finally said she needed to be on her way. Jill had always been affectionate with everyone by nature, so he wasn’t surprised when she hugged him good-bye. As nice as it had been to cross paths with a former co-worker, he was relieved to see her go. The woman he really wanted to see was Ava.
**
After she entered the restaurant, it took Ava’s eyes a moment to adjust to the slightly darkened interior. But as soon as they did adjust she immediately recognized Mateo. She couldn’t say the same for the beautiful blonde with him. She hugged her handbag to her chest and took a deep steadying breath, grateful that Mateo hadn’t spotted her. It gave her a much needed moment to collect herself, to remember that this was a business meeting. To remind herself that she was a fool to think Mateo wanted to see her, Ava. No, he was here to see the owner of an empty residential property. Nothing less. And certainly nothing more.
After the door closed behind his companion, Mateo turned and looked straight at her. She knew he recognized her, she could tell by the way his lips lifted in a slight smile. He didn’t move. Instead he took a moment to look her over so she did the same. He was tall, close to six feet, which was tall compared to her five four. His shoulders were broad and his waist trim. He wore a white Oxford cloth shirt, sleeves rolled up, and a pair of jeans as black as his cowboy boots. God, he was gorgeous.
This is a business meeting, Ava, she reminded herself. Take control of it just like you would any other professional encounter. She squared her shoulders and moved toward him, holding out her right hand when she reached him. “Mr. Ortega.”
A grin stretched across his face and he laughed softly. “It hasn’t been that long, Ava. Call me Mateo.”
Her knees were weak, her throat closed up tight, and her heart hammered in her chest. Oh, heaven help her, she was in so much trouble because Mateo’s smile was every bit as captivating as she remembered.
She nodded. “Mateo,” she managed to say, relieved her voice sounded semi-normal. “Thank you for being on time.” There, that sounded professional. Stupid, but more professional than the traitorous things her mind wanted her to say. Fortunately her pride saved her from mentioning his girlfriend that had just left. “Shall we sit and talk?”
He didn’t answer her question. “It’s incredible to see you, Ava,” he said. He took a step forward but she quickly took one back which didn’t escape his notice. She saw him pull back a bit, and she was instantly relieved and disappointed at the same time.
The hostess joined them, a welcoming smile on her face, menus tucked in the crook of her arm. “Bienvenidos a Papagayos. Do you have a reservation?”
Mateo spoke first. “Yes, we’re the Ortegas.”
Ava’s eyes widened but she didn’t say anything as she followed the hostess through the restaurant to a quiet table tucked behind several large potted palms. The plants gave their table a slightly private feel which was good for the quiet but, as Mateo pulled out a chair for her, Ava felt suddenly vulnerable.
Once they’d ordered drinks, an iced tea for her and a beer for him, silence settled in. Mateo, she couldn’t help but note, appeared far more comfortable than she felt. But he always had looked comfortable and confident in his own skin and that had been a great part of the reason she’d found him so…so what? So attractive? So desirable? Well, yes, but her feelings for Mateo back then had gone far beyond the physical. That was probably what had scared her enough to make her leave the street they’d grown up on and propelled her out into the world. Simply put, she’d always felt like a flower that couldn’t get enough light and Mateo had always felt like the sun to her.
Ava raised her eyes to meet his.
**
Mateo smiled gently. Ava was nervous. He could sense it, just like he had all those years ago. She still had a slight skittishness about her that brought back a flood of memories. Memories of how much he had wanted to hold her, to protect her and to wrap his arms around her. Memories of how much fun they’d had when she’d been able to let her guard down. Her smile and the sound of her laughter had always felt like a reward when she bestowed them on him. He realized that he needed to slow down so he didn’t scare her away.
“How have you been, Ava?” He watched a parade of emotions cross her face. “It’s been a long time.”
She nodded but didn’t answer. It looked like she wanted to say more but it was as if she stopped herself, intentionally closing the gate to the past.
“My realtor says you’re interested in buying the property on Miller Avenue,” she said.
The property on Miller Avenue? What an odd way to refer to her mother’s home. He nodded. “I am.”
“May I ask why this necessitated a meeting? My understanding was that you offered the full asking price so I’m not sure what there is to discuss.”
Mateo took a long sip of his beer while he tried to decide how best to answer her question. “I wanted to see you.” He was as surprised to hear the words come out of his mouth as she appeared to be at hearing them. But he knew he was speaking the truth, he just hadn’t realized how much he wanted to see her until now. “I know through my family that you’ve recently listed the house. That surprised us. We always thought you might be coming back.” He reached out for a chip and dipped it into the salsa before taking a bite. He was trying to act casual, put her at her ease.
“I’ve decided it’s time to let go,” Ava said after a long moment. “I need to move on.”
Interesting. She’d said ‘need to move on’ and not ‘I’ve moved on’. He opened his mouth to ask her why now but the waitress appeared at their table to tell them about the specials.
At first Ava declined to eat but between the waitress and his efforts, she finally agreed on a Tex-Mex salad. He ordered the fajitas and then, taking a chance that Ava still didn’t speak Spanish, asked the waitress to take as long as possible getting the food to the table. She simply smiled and nodded, probably assuming they were on a first date.
Mateo decided to direct the conversation away from his offer on the house and onto more general subjects. As Ava began to appear more comfortable he told her that he was an elementary school principal. She laughed out loud.
“Yeah, funny, isn’t it?” He grinned. “You remember all the times I got sent home from school?” He’d been older and several grades ahead of Ava but the Ortegas had few secrets and he knew his younger cousins had relished sharing the news of his misadventures.
“Oh, do I ever.” She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table, fully engrossed in the conversation. “So what on earth possessed you to commit to a life time of school days?”
He returned her smile. She was growing more relaxed and, as far as he could see, beginning to enjoy herself. The thought pleased him. “My grandmother thought it was the perfect career for me. And you know, Ava, after I finished laughing at the idea and started thinking about it, I realized she was on to something. I loved the idea of being around kids and positively influencing their formative years. So I became a teacher and stayed in school to get my master’s in education. I’m working on my Ph.D. now, on a part-time basis.”