Dangerous Love: You Are My One and Only Bride novel Chapter 1800

Mateo’s body immediately stilled. When he whipped his face upward to consider Melanie, his signature practiced grin was completely absent. “How did you… know?”

Melanie breathed a quiet sigh. She was relieved; it turned out that Mateo was not pining for her, and yet, she could not help but be simultaneously worried for the path her old friend seemed poised to tread.

“Your friend can tell, Teo. And unless I’m mistaken, our reunion in the supermarket wasn’t a coincidence at all, was it? You planned for it. I was never the reason that compelled you to come back; that had always been Arianne,” she said. “You knew Arianne’s my friend, so you used me to help make you closer to her. I don’t mind being used this way, Teo, but I think I should warn you—Mark Tremont’s wife isn’t someone you should set your eyes on. Ever.”

He curled his lips into a flitting, pained smile. “I know, I know. I’ve never harbored any funny ideas either, if this helps. But, seriously, how did you piece it together? Have I been acting so obviously?”

He was worried—worried that Arianne might have noticed, too.

Melanie patted his shoulders good-naturedly. “You haven’t changed since we were kids. Your habits and mannerisms remain as I remembered… Or maybe I just know you this well? See, I can tell from the way your eyes linger on Arianne, even if you do it unintentionally. Or that little priority you intuitively assigned to her back there when you were serving us tea. Or you freezing up when Tiffany was ribbing you about it. We were sitting next to each other, you recall. I could feel your muscles tense..”

Mateo’s lips thinned. “I’m sorry, Mel. I shouldn’t have used an old friend like this but… I confess, I eagerly got close to you not only because you are my childhood friend, but also because you’re good friends with Arianne Wynn. Can you please keep this a secret? Guard it from others? Especially Arianne. She… I… I’m worried that if she knows, she might never come back here again.”

Melanie nodded. “I’m a reasonable woman, Teo. I know better than to tell her about this. However, excuse me for asking, but what exactly do you plan to do? Honestly, how did you even know she loves Chinese food? I’ve been friends with her for a while, and she only picks Chinese restaurants sometimes when we hang out. There’s no sign showing she likes it in particular.”

Her inquiry was like a piper’s song drawing Mateo’s memories back to his university days. “It was when we were studying in the same university,” he murmured. “One day, I overheard her conversation with Tiffany—they talked about how much they love Chinese food, but wished it didn't make her sick whenever she had it too frequently. Ever since then, I decided that I’d learn Chinese cuisines and make dishes that would never make her sick no matter how many times she ate them…

“Mel, listen to me. I don’t necessarily want to secure a happy ending for myself. Neither do I wish to discombobulate her life with my baggage. You know me well, yes? Then you know I speak the truth…”