“No,” she says quietly. “I—I feel the same way, I guess. I’m not gonna deny that I thought about you a lot as well. I was wondering whether you’d actually show.” She smiles softly. “I’m glad you came.”
“Yeah?” I ask with a grin, stepping closer, breathing her in as best I can with so much space between us.
“Yeah.” She nods. My chest tightens in the best possible way, and I’m fucking aching to touch her, hold her,anything.
I slowly reach out my hand toward hers but drop it as soon as I see Vinny come back to us.
“Okay, I’ve got good news and bad news,” he says. “The good news is that they can make space for Matt at our table.” My heart speeds. I get to have a kind of date with Liza! Chaperoned by her brother, of course, but I get to see her and talk to her just the same.
God, I’m pathetic. But I’ll take whatever I can get.
“What’s the bad news?” she asks.
“The bad news is that the head of neuro at the hospital just called, and they need me to fill in for someone, so I can’t join you for brunch. I have to go.” Vinny kisses the top of his sister’s head and shakes my hand.
Not to sound like an asshole, but how is this bad news? It’s the most amazing news I’ve heard all day. All year, even. This is the best news ever.
“I’m really sorry, Liza. I’m not gonna be able to help you move today,” he tells her nervously. “Maybe we can find some last-minute movers to help? Or do you have any friends you can call that can manage heavy lifting? I’ll offer them some cash.”
“You’re moving?” I ask her, ignoring her brother.
“Yes,” she says sheepishly. “I, uh, used to live with my ex. Had to find my own place.”
Jealousy courses through my entire body, heating it, boiling the blood in my veins. I’m surprised by how much that little statement—the little “I used to live with my ex”—turns me into an irrational, green monster. It also hits me just how recent her break-up is.
Shit, am I a rebound??
No, I can’t be. There’s no way that I am. If she feels even a fraction of the connection I feel with her, there’s no way I could bejusta rebound to her.
“I can help!” I offer a little too enthusiastically, wanting to push away any more negative thoughts from my mind. “I mean, if you need help, I can help you. I have the afternoon off today.”
Vinny looks at me and nods. “Okay…well…I guess you’ll have Matt here to help you out. Thanks, man.”
“Great!” Liza says. I silently beg her to tone down the enthusiasm. I realize that we both want to spend time alone together, but she’s got to control it! He’s going to notice! “I’m sure I’ll be in good hands.”
“Right. Matt knows exactly what to do with his hands. And wherenotto put them,” he mutters, eyes like daggers, sending me warning signs.
Don’t you fucking dare touch her, Matt. Remember what we talked about.
I ignore him completely.
He kisses the top of his sister’s head again with a final warning glare in my direction, and we watch him walk out.
“Did he just subtly-but-not-so-subtly threaten you in front of me?” she asks, giggling. I’m glad one of us finds this funny.
“Kind of,” I laugh nervously. I really do care about Vinny. He’s a great friend and a smart guy, but I think he’s being unreasonable. And I don’t want to be sneaking around forever, just long enough for Liza and me to build a solid base so that we can go to her brother and show him…proof of concept? Like a start-up.
Yup, that’s what I need.
Sigh.
I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.
“Let’s get our table.”
I put my hand on the small of her back and guide her over to the host so that he can seat us.
The fact that I can touch her is almost as exhilarating as the action itself. I feel an electric current run up and down my arm. I’m in complete disbelief that we’re here, and my hand is there, and we’re so close I can smell the coconut scent of her shampoo in her hair. I lean over subtly and inhale, closing my eyes, and thank God she’s so short she can’t see me do it. I momentarily feel like a creep, but then I remember that I’m here with her because she wants me too, and I stop caring.
