We move to the living room, the tension of the day melting away slightly. Pedro crawls onto Mateo’s lap and falls asleep instantly, trusting the strange humans around him completely. Mateo strokes the dog’s back, staring into space.
I watch him. Under the chandelier light, he looks tired. There are new lines around his eyes and a tightness in his jaw that wasn't there before. He strokes Pedro's back in long, slow passes, staring at nothing.
“You okay, Teo?” I ask softly, sitting on the opposite end of the velvet sofa.
He blinks, snapping out of his trance. “Yeah. Just... long day.”
“You work too much.”
“Well, there’s nothing else to do anyway,” he says with a sad smile in his eyes. “You work just as much,” he adds after a beat.
“Well, what else am I going to do? Lay here and spend your money?” I say.
“That sounds good to me.” He chuckles.
“Nah, I’m not homebuddy material,” I say, scratching the top of Pedro’s head.
“You’re going to be a terrible furmom,” he adds, trying to banter.
“Good thing I’m never going to be a real mom,” I joke, leaning back on the sofa. “You know, since you threaten every man who looks at me with bodily harm.”
Mateo sighs a long, heavy exhale that seems to rattle in his chest. He stops petting the dog and looks at me. His brown eyes are suddenly full of a sadness I’ve never seen before.
“I’ve been too tough with you. Haven’t I?” he says quietly, and I almostglitch.
“Huh? Did you hit your head at the gym?”
“You’re twenty-eight, Kat. You should have a life. A real life.” He looks down at his hands. “If... if I’m gone one day, I’d be happier knowing you have someone looking out for you.”
The air leaves the room, and my heart sinks.
“Gone?” I sit up straight. “Where are you going? Are you in trouble?”
“No. Nowhere. I’m just saying.” He avoids my gaze. “In our world... the people I work with... You never know. Life is short.”
“Don't say that.” I reach out and grab his arm, nudging him slightly before leaning on his shoulder.
His security company is the best in Argentina. He has a clientele full of business tycoons and politicians, whom he says are all bad people. Sometimes I do worry that he will get in trouble just by associating with them.
“Stop talking like you’re dying. We’ll grow old together. You’re stuck with me.”
He looks at me then, and the familiar look of love in his eyes is so fierce. He kisses the top of my head.
“You should date,” he says firmly. “Have fun. Go out. Just... don’t get caught up with the wrong ones. Promise me that.”
“I’m not into anyone right now anyway,” I lie smoothly, praying my face doesn't betray me.
“Good. God knows you always choose the wrong men.” He pauses, his expression hardening back into the brother I know.
“Shut up.” I slap his arm, laughing.
He’s not wrong, though.
After a long silence, I say, “By the way, I'm going out tonight.”
“Where?” he asks.
“Damiano invited me to the opening of his new club,” I say, then get up and walk towards my room. I could hear him grunt from where I’m standing.
