“You can’t prove any of that.”
“You sure about that? The camera was smashed but still had an SD card,” I say. “Police have it. You sure you want to bet on what’s on it?”
Owen’s smirk falters for a second. He wipes blood from his mouth. “This isn’t over.”
“Yeah, it is.” I take Sadie’s hand with my good one. “Get off my property. And if you come near her again—if you so much as look at her—what I did today will feel like a fucking hug.”
For a long moment, Owen just stares at us. Then he gets to his feet and stumbles to his car.
We watch him drive away.
The moment his taillights disappear down the road, Sadie turns to me.
“Your hand—“
“Is fine.”
“Mateo, you’re bleeding.”
I look down. She’s right. My knuckles are split open, blood dripping onto the gravel. The adrenaline kept me from feeling it, but now that she’s mentioned it, the ache registers.
“Come on.” She tugs me toward the house. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Once in the bathroom, I lean back against the vanity. Sadie maneuvers around me to rummage through the cabinet for first aid supplies.
“I can’t believe you hit him,” she says, setting out antiseptic and bandages.
“I can’t believe I waited this long.”
She stands in front of me, close, gently taking my injured hand. “This is going to sting.”
I use my good hand to touch her face, swipe a thumb over her cheek, and tuck her loose hair behind her ear.
The antiseptic burns when she dabs it on my knuckles, but I don’t flinch. I’m too focused on her—the way she’s biting her lip in concentration, the gentleness with which she cleans blood from my skin, the fact that she’s wearing my flannel and smells like my soap.
“He’s right, you know,” she says quietly.
“About what?”
“I’m not exactly a prize.” She doesn’t look up, keeping her eyes on my hand. “I write books that half the town thinks are pornography. My family won’t talk to me. I can’t seem to do anything without causing drama—“
“Stop.” I tip her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Don’t let his poison in your head.”
“But—“
“There are no buts. Owen spent years trying to make you believe you weren’t enough. He was wrong then, and he’s wrong now. You’re incredible, Sadie. Nothing thatmamónsays will change that.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.” My pulse is everywhere—my throat, my wrists, the hand she’s still holding. “Because I’m in love with you,tesoro.”
She goes completely still.
“I’ve been in love with you for five years,” I continue. The words are finally out, and I can’t stop them now. “Since the first time you walked into my forge and asked about custom bookends. You smiled at me, and the world just started to make sense. For years, I’ve wanted so much more but didn’t know how to tell you.”
Tears well in her eyes.
“I love you too.”
