I press my lips together. Encouraging his goofiness is a bad idea. It feels too much like flirting.
I shake my head. “That’s not what I said. I said youhavemuscles.”
He strips off his protective gear, throwing it at his workbench. “And you like them.” He steps forward, purposefully flexing his biceps as he invades my space by an inch.
My heart tries to leap out of my chest, and I force it back down. My cheeks feel hot, and the butterflies haven’t calmed. I take a step back. “What are you making?”
I let out a small breath as he takes a step away. “I’ve made a few custom orders. I have two nightstands ready for pick up, and a side table for a living room in the works.”
I run my hand over the smooth slab of wood, my fingertips picking up a dusting of wood shavings. “This looks a bit bigger than a side table or night stand.”
Mateo taps his fingers on the wood, catching my eye. “Well, I noticed you don’t have a dining table. I thought I could make you one.”
My jaw drops. “You’re making me a dining room table?”
He shrugs, a small smile on his face. “Yeah. I figured the little breakfast nook table and the counter bar stools won’t cut it if we’re going to have family come visit.”
My eyebrows arch. “What family?”
He laughs. “Alex and Reina, or if my family comes to visit.”
A jolt of shock runs through me and I straighten. “Why would your family come visit?”
He shrugs. “Nadia texted me telling me she wants togo to Disneyland again. I figured they could come stay in the guest rooms. I can take them to the park and the beach. Nadia specifically requested to go to the beach. She’s tired of going to the cold ones in Oregon.”
“But. . . why would they want to come visitus?”
Mateo shakes his head as if confused. Same buddy, same.
“Because it would be fun and they like us. Speaking of my family, my mami's birthday is in two weeks. Could you take a few days off so we can go visit them for a long weekend? My dad is planning a big party for her.”
I’m still stuck on the fact his family likes us. I mean, of course they love Mateo, but I just kind of thought they tolerated me. Then again, I’ve never had family who has wanted or needed to travel to visit.
Wait. I blink. Mateo asked me a question.
Can I take a weekend off in two weeks?
I picture the calendar on my desk, but it’s coming up fuzzy. I shrug and clasp my hands in front of me. “I’ll check my calendar, but I can definitely try.”
“Great! She’d really appreciate it. Cruz will be back for the weekend from college, and Mami is excited about the prospect of having all of her kids together on the farm for a weekend. It’ll be crazy.”
A big birthday party surrounded by the people you love and care about. I’ve never had one of those. My voice comes out as whisper. “That sounds like fun.”
Mateo smiles, his eyes looking distant as if picturing the small family reunion. “I’m excited.”
I take a step back, ready to escape from the temptation that is my husband.
Mateo stops me in my tracks with his next words. “Tomorrow you have another event. What do you need me to do while we’re there?”
“Just pretend to be my devoted husband,” I say as I head toward the garage door into the house.
“As you wish,” he says before I pass the tarp.
I pull it closed and bolt back into the house.
The problem is, my heart wants to stop pretending.
Chapter 26
