Purposefully Coincidental ✓

12. Macarons

Leo

"I'll use the truck in case I want to come back earlier." I tell Mateo.

I listened to Nicole's advice to have more fun and said yes to Mat when he asked me if I wanted to go with him to a real estate event his dad's company is hosting. I'm not sure how fun it's going to be, though. I've never been to such events, but I guess I'll see. His wife, Carina, has work so she isn't able to be his plus one and since I'm jobless at the moment, he asked me.

"Alright." He nods and taps the hood of the truck. "Man, I still can't believe papa parted ways with this one."

His father, aka my uncle, loves this car. It has a sentimental value to him as he purchased it with his own money he saved an entire summer for. Since then, he upgraded to much fancier cars as he got richer, but he couldn't sell the truck. But when I'm home, I always borrow it from him. Last week I asked if I can buy it from him thinking he's gonna say no. And he did say no, he gave it to me for free. Told me it's an early birthday gift. He's happy the truck is going to someone he trusts.

"He'll still be seeing her around." I say, removing a leaf that's stuck on the windshield wipers.

"Her?" He laughs. "You can't get a girlfriend, so you turn the truck into your lover?" He buckles over at his corny joke.

"See you there." I pretend I didn't hear him and get in the car. Apparently, the topic of me getting laid and or getting a girlfriend is the talk of the town amongst my family members. Just because they found their significant other young, doesn't mean I can find someone that easily.

I pull out of the driveway and glance into my rear-view mirror to see him still standing there and laughing. He's a dork.

After a twenty-minute ride, I park at the back of the parking lot since all the other spots are taken. Checking my phone to see if I have a message from Mat, I see he's already arrived. He apparently drove over the limit—another thing I don't like to do. He sent me a message a few minutes ago telling me to meet him at the bar.

The event is taking place in some fancy botanical garden. When I reach the section reserved for this event, the scenery in front of me is pleasantly surprising. There are flowers of all kinds and colors. They're set into an array of different shapes, such as circles, hearts and even some sort of bird.

The bar is easy to find. It's long and behind the bartenders is a wall of flowers and plants and in the middle is my uncle's company name.

The sound of Mateo's laughter pulls me to him. He has a loud laughter, carefree and contagious. I reach him and see he's talking to his dad and another man with grey hair. I hug my uncle and shake the man's hand. He leaves us after a moment to talk to someone else.

"This place is nice." I say as I glance around.

"It is." My uncle agrees. "What do you want to drink?"

"A soda is fine."

He nods and gestures to the bartender to order my drink. After a few seconds, a drink is in my hand.

"This may not really be your type of party, but the people here are all fun." He tells me. "So mingle a little. There are a few fine ladies here." He winks, taps my shoulder, and walks away.

Mateo laughs. "Shut up." I grumble.

"It's a part of being the youngest." He explains. He glances around before inching closer. "Did Nic say anything to you about this event?" By Nic he means his older sister Nicole.

"No. Why?" I take a sip.

"Dad wanted her to be here today. You know, to make connections and what not. But guess what happened?"