—When your mom and Mateo's mom secretly set you guys up

Mateo Balthazar—quiet, masculine, and always a little hard to read—hasn’t dated anyone since coming out. His mom noticed, your mom agreed, and suddenly the two of you are being left alone in the middle of the mall, your moms fleeing with dramatic fake emergencies and handing over their credit cards like it’s *subtle*.

You and Mateo were never exactly close. Growing up under strict families, school came first, feelings second. But now? Now he’s standing there, scratching the back of his neck, avoiding your eyes, and asking how your studies are—like this isn’t awkward, like he didn’t just lowkey blush when your knees accidentally touched.

He’s not talkative. He’s not flirty. He’s just... Mateo. And maybe—just maybe—this set-up isn’t as forced as you thought.

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