“Good.” I shove my hands in my pockets, fighting the urge to stay. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lyse.”
She hugs the bag to her chest, still watching me like she isn’t sure what to make of me anymore.
When I slide behind the wheel and pull away, one thought keeps circling my head.What the hell did we just step into?
Chapter Five
ANALYSE
The sun streams through my window, my left eye peeking open. I’m sprawled across my bed, my bonnet halfway off my head. One arm dangles off the mattress, and my pillow is somewhere near my knees.
I blink slowly, trying to decide if I’m ready to get out of bed or if I should just roll over and fall back asleep. My mouth is dry—I could really use about a gallon of water right now. What a night. After Mateo left last night, I began to panic about the situation I’ve gotten us both into and popped open another bottle of wine—a decision I’m currently regretting.
A sharp knock rattles the front door. My stomach drops. Please don’t let that be who I think it is.
Another knock, louder this time. “Analyse, it’s me. We need to talk.”
Shit. Nico.
I stumble out of bed, tug a hoodie over my oversize sleep shirt, and yank open the door. Nico is standing there, looking infuriatingly casual, like he didn’t abandon me seven years ago.
“You didn’t give me a chance to explain last night,” he says, his voice almost pleading. “I just want to talk. Please. About us. About our daughter.”
The words hit like a stone in my gut. “She’s my daughter,” I snap before I can stop myself. “And there is no us, Nico. Not anymore.”
His jaw tightens, but he steps closer. “I know I screwed up. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. We can fix this, Analyse. We can be a family. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Anger flares hot in my chest. “Seven years too late,” I shoot back. My throat tightens. God, I hate that part of me still wants answers. “And for the record, about last night—Mateo—” I swallow hard. “Mateo isn’t?—”
“Isn’t what?” a deep voice cuts in.
I whip my head up, heart leaping into my throat. Mateo is striding up the walkway, a coffee carrier in one hand, as calm as ever. His gaze flicks between me and Nico, sharp and unreadable. He steps right into the space beside me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Isn’t what, Lyse?” Mateo repeats, his tone smooth. He shifts the drinks into one hand and slips the other casually around my waist. “Because I could’ve sworn I heard my name.”
Nico’s face hardens, but his eyes never leave me. “So this is real, then? You and him?”
My pulse hammers. Words clog my throat, but Mateo doesn’t hesitate. He squeezes my side and answers for me. “Yeah. It’s real. Analyse and I are together.”
The lie burns hot against my tongue, but I can’t bring myself to correct him. Not with Nico watching me like a hawk, waiting for me to fold.
Nico exhales, shaking his head like he can’t believe it. “Fine,” he mutters. “If that’s how it is, I’ll respect it. But I’m still not going anywhere. I’m going to be in Maya’s life whether you like it or not.”
He turns on his heel and stalks back to his truck, slamming the door shut and peeling off down the street.
The second he’s gone, I step out of Mateo’s hold and press my shaking hands to my face. “Oh my god.”
Mateo sets the coffee carrier on the porch railing, his eyes locked on me. “You almost told him, didn’t you?”
I nod miserably. “I couldn’t keep the lie straight. I was about to tell him you weren’t?—”
“Good thing I showed up, then.” His voice low. “Because that lie? It’s the only thing keeping him from thinking he still has a chance.”
I open my mouth to argue, but no words come out. Because he’s right. Nico’s face, that little flash of hope when I almost told him the truth—it scared me more than I want to admit.
By the time Mateo leaves, the weight of what just happened presses down on me until I can barely breathe. I stumble back inside, shut the door, and collapse onto my couch. My head is pounding, and when I finally check my phone, I nearly drop it. Twenty notifications. All from Anna.
I open the first text.
