The Wedding Favor

by Caroline Mickelson

  The hostess wasn’t at the podium so he waited in the entry way. Papagayos was a family owned Mexican restaurant that served authentic dishes that even his own mother had to admit were delicious. The interior color scheme was a riot of parrot green and bell pepper red with colorful serapes on the walls. Lush green plants dotted the floor, and colorful mosaic top tables with black wrought iron furniture surrounded an indoor fountain. Mateo hoped that Ava would like his choice of restaurant. He couldn’t help but smile. He was acting like this was his first date.

  “Mateo?” A women’s voice behind him called.

  He whirled around. The woman wasn’t Ava. It took him just a moment to place her. Jill. That was it. She had been a part-time speech therapist at the elementary school before she’d had her second child and left her job to stay home with her children. “Jill, hey, good to see you.”

  Jill smiled brightly and leaned in to kiss his cheek, her hand resting on his forearm. “Hi yourself. How have you been?”

  They chatted about her children and about school district news for several minutes. Suddenly remembering that a principal at a neighboring school was looking for a very part-time speech therapist, he mentioned it. When she said that she might be interested, he asked her to make sure to get her contact information to him so he could pass it on. Mateo resisted looking at his watch or at the door but he was relieved when she finally said she needed to be on her way. Jill had always been affectionate with everyone by nature, so he wasn’t surprised when she hugged him good-bye. As nice as it had been to cross paths with a former co-worker, he was relieved to see her go. The woman he really wanted to see was Ava.

  **

  After she entered the restaurant, it took Ava’s eyes a moment to adjust to the slightly darkened interior. But as soon as they did adjust she immediately recognized Mateo. She couldn’t say the same for the beautiful blonde with him. She hugged her handbag to her chest and took a deep steadying breath, grateful that Mateo hadn’t spotted her. It gave her a much needed moment to collect herself, to remember that this was a business meeting. To remind herself that she was a fool to think Mateo wanted to see her, Ava. No, he was here to see the owner of an empty residential property. Nothing less. And certainly nothing more.

  After the door closed behind his companion, Mateo turned and looked straight at her. She knew he recognized her, she could tell by the way his lips lifted in a slight smile. He didn’t move. Instead he took a moment to look her over so she did the same. He was tall, close to six feet, which was tall compared to her five four. His shoulders were broad and his waist trim. He wore a white Oxford cloth shirt, sleeves rolled up, and a pair of jeans as black as his cowboy boots. God, he was gorgeous.

  This is a business meeting, Ava, she reminded herself. Take control of it just like you would any other professional encounter. She squared her shoulders and moved toward him, holding out her right hand when she reached him. “Mr. Ortega.”

  A grin stretched across his face and he laughed softly. “It hasn’t been that long, Ava. Call me Mateo.”

  Her knees were weak, her throat closed up tight, and her heart hammered in her chest. Oh, heaven help her, she was in so much trouble because Mateo’s smile was every bit as captivating as she remembered.

  She nodded. “Mateo,” she managed to say, relieved her voice sounded semi-normal. “Thank you for being on time.” There, that sounded professional. Stupid, but more professional than the traitorous things her mind wanted her to say. Fortunately her pride saved her from mentioning his girlfriend that had just left. “Shall we sit and talk?”

  He didn’t answer her question. “It’s incredible to see you, Ava,” he said. He took a step forward but she quickly took one back which didn’t escape his notice. She saw him pull back a bit, and she was instantly relieved and disappointed at the same time.

  The hostess joined them, a welcoming smile on her face, menus tucked in the crook of her arm. “Bienvenidos a Papagayos. Do you have a reservation?”

  Mateo spoke first. “Yes, we’re the Ortegas.”

  Ava’s eyes widened but she didn’t say anything as she followed the hostess through the restaurant to a quiet table tucked behind several large potted palms. The plants gave their table a slightly private feel which was good for the quiet but, as Mateo pulled out a chair for her, Ava felt suddenly vulnerable.

  Once they’d ordered drinks, an iced tea for her and a beer for him, silence settled in. Mateo, she couldn’t help but note, appeared far more comfortable than she felt. But he always had looked comfortable and confident in his own skin and that had been a great part of the reason she’d found him so…so what? So attractive? So desirable? Well, yes, but her feelings for Mateo back then had gone far beyond the physical. That was probably what had scared her enough to make her leave the street they’d grown up on and propelled her out into the world. Simply put, she’d always felt like a flower that couldn’t get enough light and Mateo had always felt like the sun to her.

  Ava raised her eyes to meet his.

  **

  Mateo smiled gently. Ava was nervous. He could sense it, just like he had all those years ago. She still had a slight skittishness about her that brought back a flood of memories. Memories of how much he had wanted to hold her, to protect her and to wrap his arms around her. Memories of how much fun they’d had when she’d been able to let her guard down. Her smile and the sound of her laughter had always felt like a reward when she bestowed them on him. He realized that he needed to slow down so he didn’t scare her away.

  “How have you been, Ava?” He watched a parade of emotions cross her face. “It’s been a long time.”

  She nodded but didn’t answer. It looked like she wanted to say more but it was as if she stopped herself, intentionally closing the gate to the past.

  “My realtor says you’re interested in buying the property on Miller Avenue,” she said.

  The property on Miller Avenue? What an odd way to refer to her mother’s home. He nodded. “I am.”

  “May I ask why this necessitated a meeting? My understanding was that you offered the full asking price so I’m not sure what there is to discuss.”

  Mateo took a long sip of his beer while he tried to decide how best to answer her question. “I wanted to see you.” He was as surprised to hear the words come out of his mouth as she appeared to be at hearing them. But he knew he was speaking the truth, he just hadn’t realized how much he wanted to see her until now. “I know through my family that you’ve recently listed the house. That surprised us. We always thought you might be coming back.” He reached out for a chip and dipped it into the salsa before taking a bite. He was trying to act casual, put her at her ease.

  “I’ve decided it’s time to let go,” Ava said after a long moment. “I need to move on.”

  Interesting. She’d said ‘need to move on’ and not ‘I’ve moved on’. He opened his mouth to ask her why now but the waitress appeared at their table to tell them about the specials.

  At first Ava declined to eat but between the waitress and his efforts, she finally agreed on a Tex-Mex salad. He ordered the fajitas and then, taking a chance that Ava still didn’t speak Spanish, asked the waitress to take as long as possible getting the food to the table. She simply smiled and nodded, probably assuming they were on a first date.

  Mateo decided to direct the conversation away from his offer on the house and onto more general subjects. As Ava began to appear more comfortable he told her that he was an elementary school principal. She laughed out loud.

  “Yeah, funny, isn’t it?” He grinned. “You remember all the times I got sent home from school?” He’d been older and several grades ahead of Ava but the Ortegas had few secrets and he knew his younger cousins had relished sharing the news of his misadventures.

  “Oh, do I ever.” She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table, fully engrossed in the conversation. “So what on earth possessed you to commit to a life time of school days?”

  He returned
her smile. She was growing more relaxed and, as far as he could see, beginning to enjoy herself. The thought pleased him. “My grandmother thought it was the perfect career for me. And you know, Ava, after I finished laughing at the idea and started thinking about it, I realized she was on to something. I loved the idea of being around kids and positively influencing their formative years. So I became a teacher and stayed in school to get my master’s in education. I’m working on my Ph.D. now, on a part-time basis.”

  Ava pushed away her salad and put her napkin aside. “How are your grandparents?”

  Ah, he wondered when, or if, she’d ask about his family. It was progress that she’d brought up the subject of his family before he did. “We lost Abuela almost three years ago.”

  “Oh, Mateo, I’m sorry.” Ava reached out to touch his hand. “How is your grandfather?”

  Mateo sucked in his breath. She’d handed him the perfect opening and if he was going to go ahead with this whole crazy plan it was now or never. The image of his grandfather’s delighted face when Mateo told him that he was engaged flashed through his mind. He could do this. He would do it for his grandfather. “I’m glad you asked, Ava, because that’s the reason I wanted to speak with you. I need your help.”

  Chapter Three

  Ava questioned her sanity all through the night and well into the next morning. She’d spent a fitful night tossing and turning, replaying her evening with Mateo over and over in her head. Seeing him again after a decade had been startling. He had grown up but so had she. Yet, in another way, in a more fundamental way, they were much the same as they’d been then. Heaven knew the chemistry was the same. At least on her end. Mateo Ortega, every sexy inch of him, made her knees weak. His warm smile and charming manner apparently made her mind weak too because she’d agreed to meet him over at the house on Miller Avenue first thing in the morning. But he wanted more than a walk through. He’d warned her of that much.

  He had a proposition for her, so he’d said. But that had been all he’d said, refusing to say more until she agreed to meet him again.

  Well, it was morning and she was on her way to view the property and hear his proposition. Did Mateo want to arrange a lease purchase instead of a straight out purchase? Why hadn’t he just asked last night? Or, for that matter, if that was what he had wanted, why not just speak with her realtor? She shook her head. He wanted something. But what?

  Ava turned the convertible off of Central Avenue and onto Miller. Her eyes greedily drank in the familiarity of the neat row of houses on either side of the street. So much had changed, most of the homes had been repainted, re-landscaped, and most likely, resold to new owners. But it still had the feel of a street where families lived. She slowed as she reached the driveway to the property.

  She turned off the engine and looked over the exterior of the house. The property management company had done a fine job of keeping everything well kept up. But still, there was an air of loneliness that pervaded it. She rested her head against the seat’s neck rest and closed her eyes against the wave of memories that assailed her.

  “Good morning, sunshine.”

  Ava jumped, her eyes flying open. “Oh, Mateo, you startled me.” She tilted her head back to look up at him. He stood by the hood of her car, his arms folded over his chest. He was wearing a red polo shirt emblazoned with the name of the local elementary school and a pair of khaki chinos. He looked wide awake, energetic and perfectly at ease. “Did you just call me sunshine?”

  He grinned. “Guilty as charged. What can I say? I’ve always been a morning person.” He opened her car door and she stepped out.

  She’d dressed casually, choosing a bright yellow peasant style blouse, white denim capris and white Keds not knowing what the condition of the house was going to be. It looks like she needn’t have worried. If the exterior’s upkeep was a clue, she knew she wasn’t about to be assailed by dust bunnies. Painful memories were going to be the bigger threat.

  She looked up at Mateo. “Okay, I’m here. What’s your proposition?”

  He grinned.

  How had she forgotten that dimple?

  “Sorry, I never conduct business without breakfast. Personal rule.” He turned and headed up the front porch steps, stopping only to wave for her to follow him.

  Ava stood staring after him for a moment. Mateo Ortega was so…so…so assured. So confident. So in control, almost to an annoying degree. It would serve him right if she got back in her car and headed off to her office to start her day. But one glance at him holding the door open for her told her what she already knew. Breakfast it was.

  She followed after him but hesitated on the top step. She suddenly was filled with trepidation at the thought of going back into her childhood home. House, she corrected herself. It was a house. Not her home anymore. She took a deep breath and stepped into the house.

  Ava stood next to Mateo and looked around. From the small entry way she could see into the living room. She pivoted around to get a look down the hallway that led to the two bedrooms. Her feet felt heavy but she forced herself to look into both bedrooms. Her old room was still painted the light purple she’d picked out when she was ten. The color had faded but her memories hadn’t. She could still see the girl she’d been laying on the bed, a stack of books always at hand. How many hours had she spent reading and how many words had she consumed during her pre-teen years? The books had kept her company when her mother was at work. She sighed.

  “Ava, are you okay?” Mateo asked.

  She glanced up at him, appreciating his gentle quietness. She nodded wordlessly.

  “Good,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how hard it would be on you to be back.” He put a hand on the small of her back, his touch light. “Will it be too hard for you to see your Mom’s room?”

  She shook her head, a sudden lump in her throat making it hard to speak. Mateo understood. But that shouldn’t surprise her. The entire Ortega family had been amazing during her mother’s illness. Often, in the years following her mother’s death, she’d wondered how she’d have gotten through those dark days without their presence, without their help, or without their kindness.

  Mateo moved around her to open the door to the master bedroom and then he stood back to allow her to enter. Ava took a deep breath and stepped into her mother’s room.

  The blinds were drawn against the morning sun so it took Ava’s eyes a few moments to adjust to the lack of light. This room, like the others, was empty. Empty of furniture, and to Ava’s immense relief, empty of sadness. Nostalgia and relief hit her at the same moment. The memories she’d expected. But the lack of sadness was a welcome gift, and she was relieved that when she looked into her mother’s room that it didn’t feel like the sickroom it had been in the last few months of her mother’s life. Then the house had felt more like a hospice than a home. Now it felt like a vacant property. It was as if a weight she hadn’t known she was carrying was somehow lifted.

  She smiled up to Mateo. “Everything looks great. So clean, so well taken care of too.”

  “Tia Sylvia and Tio Oscar kept an eye on the place. If ever a single ocotillo or palm tree needed trimming, they were on the phone to the rental property company.”

  Ava smiled gratefully. “Please thank them for me.”

  Mateo looked down at her for a long moment. “You can thank them yourself, you know. They’re still your neighbors.”

  Ava shook her head. “They’re not. I don’t live here anymore.” Suddenly needing some space, she headed into the kitchen. Everything looked so pristinely clean and orderly. A little dated compared to her condo, but that was to be expected after more than a decade.

  “Come sit and have some breakfast, Ava.” Mateo was just behind her now, radiating a quiet confidence that she envied. He sounded so sure of himself, so comfortable in his own skin. But then, he always had.

  “There’s no furniture,” she said, but once she turned to face the breakfast nook, she realized she was wrong. A card table with two foldi
ng chairs sat squarely in the center of the small space. Fresh white daisies in a mason jar sat in the center of the table, along with two bright red plastic plates and cups. White plastic silverware lay atop red and white gingham paper napkins. She pointed to the table. “What is all of this?”

  “Breakfast,” Mateo said as he sidestepped around her and pulled out a folding chair as if he were the head waiter in the finest of dining establishments. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  She was, but that was beside the point. She couldn’t let him act like they were on a date without calling him out on it. Last night he’d done the same, and last night she’d fallen into a cozy, easy conversation with him and lost all track of time. But she was certain that making a habit out of it would be a very bad idea. “Don’t you have to be at school?” she countered. “Isn’t a bell ringing somewhere?”

  He laughed. “Even the principal is allowed to be tardy sometimes. I have a wonderful support staff, Ava. My kids are in good hands.”

  “Your kids?” She couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that you had been married.” He certainly hadn’t said a word about a wife, an ex-wife or children last night over dinner.

  “No, no wife, no kids. Not yet, anyway.” He motioned again for her to sit in the chair he held out. “I was referring to my students. They’re great kids and we’ve got a wonderful community of learners, educators and parents.”

  Ava digested this as she watched Mateo pull a layer of aluminum foil off of her plate. She glanced down at a slice of quiche and fresh fruit, surprised at how hungry she suddenly felt. She appreciated the effort Mateo had put into breakfast, even if she didn’t know why he wanted to meet with her. Or what he wanted to speak to her about. Then a thought struck her. “Mateo, how did you get a key to the house?”

  He settled himself in the folding chair opposite her. “Your realtor gave it to me.”