“My mother wanted me to be just like her.”There it is. And I’m not.Her chest tightened. “Work in the bakery, marry a nice Italian boy, and pop out his babies. But that’s not whatIwanted. So, I’m just a disappointment.”
“You don’t wanna make some babies?” He sounded hopeful. Would he be disappointed if she didn’t?
“Someday, I guess.”
“Listen to me,” he said, and lifting her to straddle his lap, Matt lowered his forehead to hers. “I think all that any parent wants is for their kid to be happy and loved.”
She shrugged.
He smiled.
“If your mom believes you’re truly happy, then she’ll be happy for you, too.”
I doubt that.
“Maybe.”
“C’mon, we need to get some food in your belly.” He kissed her lips. “You didn’t eat much last night.”
“I need to get home.”
With bands of steel wrapping around her, Matt held her to his chest. “I don’t want you to go.”
“It’s not that I want to…”
“I understand.” His lips brushed her forehead, and he loosened his hold. “It’s okay. I get it.”
God, I must sound like a child.
Rubbing his pec, Gina bit her lip and looked into his eyes. “I can come back tomorrow if you want me to.”
“There’s noifabout it, bunny.”
“Yeah?”
He kissed her. “Yeah.”
“I’ll cook dinner and then we can watch a movie,” she offered, her smile so wide her cheeks hurt. “Put that fancy kitchen of yours to good use.”
“Sounds good to me.” Matt grinned, his fingers pressing into her hips. “Plan on staying the night.”
“I will.” Gina grabbed his cheeks and smacked a kiss on his lips before clambering off his lap. “But for now, it’s time for me to take the walk of shame to my parents’ house.”
“You will not.” He took hold of her wrist. “I’m driving you home.”
“They’ll see you.”
His midnight-purple car wasn’t easy to miss. How would she explain it?
“So?” Cocking his head, Matt released her. “They have to find out about us sometime, Gina.”
“I know, but not like that,” she said over her shoulder as she padded into the en suite.
Their judgments, the arguments, and their inevitable disapproval could come later. Gina wanted to enjoy this carefree time with Matt without them knowing.
She walked into the bedroom, holding the torn remains of her once pretty white dress. “Shit, I can’t go home in this.”
“Sorry about the dress.” Matt sat naked at the edge of the bed, his boyish smile unapologetic. He took it from her, caressing the fabric between his fingers, then placed it beside him.
