“There’s going to be a lot of eyes on us between now and then.”
“I know,” she said, biting her lip.
“Remember that thick skin Chloe said you’d need?” He tipped her chin up with his finger. “Well, get ready for the parasocial pariahs because here they come.”
How Matt wished he could shield her from all that hurtful bullshit. It was impossible, though. Like Chloe and Ava, she’d either have to learn to ignore them or just get used to it.
“I’m going to be okay, you know.” Those chameleon eyes locked on his, and Gina smiled at him. “They can’t hurt me.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Because I know who I am, and I know who you are.”
This girl. How’d he get so lucky?
Then, changing the subject, Gina popped a morsel of deliciousness into his mouth. “Now, eat some of this mushroom bruschetta before it gets cold.”
“Fuck, that’s good.”
“I know.” And with a tilt of her head, she tipped her chin. “Just make sure to save room for the chicken, okay?”
“Don’t worry, bunny. You know I’ve got plenty of room in here for dinner.” Patting his belly, Matt winked. “And dessert.”
“Jesus.”
“That was pretty bad, wasn’t it?”
Nodding, she giggled.
The sound of it warmed his insides. Gina had to love him a helluva lot to laugh at his offhand jokes.
“God, I’m such a dick.” Here he was stuffing his face with mushrooms with the smell of rosemary chicken roasting in the oven. “Why didn’t I think of it?”
“Think of what?”
“Bo’s on his own tonight, so he asked me and Kit to hang out and have pizza with him.”I fucked up. “I should’ve had them come here for dinner instead.”
“You should have. I made more than enough food.” She fed him another piece of bruschetta, then plated the rest. “You can still call them over, you know.”
He could. And before Matt could swallow the food in his mouth, he pulled out his phone and sent them a text.
“Bo said thanks, but he’s already got Rossi’s coming.”
“Course, he does,” she said, and pulled the chicken out of the oven. “What about Kit?”
“No response.” Matt shrugged. “Something’s, um, I dunno… something’s going on with him.”
“What do you mean?” Her gaze held genuine concern. “Is he okay?”
“Kit told Bo he had plans, and that was a lie.”
He knew it must sound nonsensical, but that was out of character for him. The dude was truthful to a fault.
“Maybe he just didn’t feel like having pizza.”
“Nah, he’s been… withdrawn lately.” With a shake of his head, Matt got himself a beer from the fridge. “I even called him out on it.”
“What did he say?”
