Mateo stared at Elena, perplexed. She had just thanked him—actually thanked him for always standing with her and for accepting her just the way she was.
Well, of course he accepted her—though "embraced" would probably be a more accurate description. She was his best friend and while she may not be perfect, she was perfect to him.
Perfect for him.
Sure she was impulsive and sometimes reckless—it balanced out the way he tended to overthink everything.
She was passionate and hot tempered—it revealed to him the beauty in so many small things that he'd overlooked his whole life.
Mateo took a step closer and held her hands in his. Meeting her gaze, he smiled softly, and said quietly, "Of course, Elena, just as you have always stood by me and accepted me just the way I am—no matter what."