Page 135 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"Diana knows that now too," I say.

"Is that why she came today?"

"Partly. She came to apologize." I turn the mug between my hands. "And to tell me Diego wants to meet me."

Maddy's expression changes completely. "He does?"

"Yeah."

"Javier." There's something in the way she says my name this time. Hope. For me.

"He's been asking about me for months."

"When is he coming?"

"I don't know. Neither does Diana. He told her he'll come when he's ready."

"And what did you say?"

"I told her to tell him I'll be here."

Maddy nods. "Good." That's all. Good. Somehow it's exactly what I need.

I look down at my coffee. "Today I had to ask Diana what he's like." Maddy doesn't move. "He's twenty years old, and I had to ask somebody else to tell me about my own son."

Her eyes soften.

"She said he's quiet until he trusts people. Stubborn. Kind. Observant. Protective."

The corner of Maddy's mouth lifts. "Sounds a little familiar."

"That's what she said."

"What else?"

"He lives in Boston. He's studying mechanical engineering." I take a breath. "And she said he's like me. Very much like me."

The words still do something to me. I look toward the window until I can trust my voice again. When I turn back, Maddy hasn't looked away.

"I learned all of that today."

She reaches across the table. Her hand settles over mine. I turn mine beneath it and hold on.

"I'm glad you know now," she says.

"Me too." I run my thumb once across her fingers. "I should've told you."

"Yes."

I look at her. No anger. Just honesty. "I wanted to."

"Then why didn't you?"

Because I was ashamed. Because I was afraid she'd look at me differently. Because saying Diego's name makes twelve years disappear and I'm standing in an empty apartment watching my eight-year-old son leave all over again. But underneath all of that is something simpler.

"Because once I told you about Diego, you'd know how much losing someone can destroy me."

Maddy's expression softens. "I already knew that." I look at her. "Maybe not the details. But I knew." She glances at our joined hands. "I see the walls, Javier."