No one looks worried about Mateo and me getting married.
No one looks like Mateo is making the biggest mistake of his life.
But he is.
In what has to be less than thirty seconds but feels like eternity, my mind and heart are at war with each other.
Panic races through my limbs while peace emanates from my heart.
A heavy weight sits on my chest as I struggle to take in air.
Shouldn’tsomeonebe worried about this? Why is no one protesting?
Fingers squeeze mine, and the warmth from Mateo’s hand travels up my arm, chasing away the icy tendrils of panic and strengthening the warm peace in my heart. My eyes snap to his and he barely tilts his toward the officiant. His lips quirk and he winks at me before focusing on the officiant.
I’m supposed to respond, and when I look at the officiant he looks at me expectantly.
“I do,” I whisper with all the strength I have in the midst of my panic attack.
Time slows as the officiant concludes the ceremony. “You may now kiss the bride.”
My eyes widen.
We forgot to talk about this beforehand. Did Mateo talk to him about a kiss? I didn't.
How did I not talk to Mateo about kissing? Obviously that was a gross oversight on my part.
Seriously, how did I miss this plot hole in my plan?
A shiver travels up my spine as Mateo hooks his arm around my waist, gently pulling me against him. His cologne wafts over me, and I can’t help but inhale his scent as his hand comes up and cradles my cheek. His eyes never leave mine as our faces get closer and closer together.
“Mateo,” I squeak as my breathing quickens, my heart rate rivaling the fastest race car.
He smiles. “It’s okay, mi vida. Just this one kiss.”
I’m regretting not taking Spanish classes in school, but quickly forget my question about what he called me as he leans down toward me. Our faces are so close I can’t see straight. I close my eyes as his thumb softly caresses my cheek, goosebumps trailing behind his touch.
My hands tremble against his chest. How they got there: I have no idea, but they feel ready to wrap themselves around Mateo’s neck and pull him down for a kiss. The anticipation is killing me as tingles erupt from each spot our bodies touch and I lean toward him, closing the distance between us one millimeter at a time.
One question flits through my mind as soft lips touch mine.
Anticipation?
Chapter 13
A Rivera-Watson
Mateo
My lips brush against Holly’s, and all I can focus on is the softness of her lips and her sweet citrus scent that envelops me. It takes everything within me not to kiss her with the full extent of emotions I’m feeling.
I meant every word of our simple promise to each other.
A new goal cements itself in my mind: I’m going to woo Holly until she realizes we’re meant to be together forever, not just the next year.
I can’t help but linger, my lips caressing and softly pressing against Holly’s silky smooth mouth. She inhales a sharp breath and I don’t pull away for another second to see if she’ll respond.
This kiss needs to be special, not just for me, but for her, too. It’s our first kiss—and could be our last.
