“Well, at least your lawyer doesn’t seem like the heartless type,” she says, gazing at Matthew.
“Appearances can be deceiving.Besides, he’s not my lawyer.He works for Bancroft.”
“Maybe,” Helen concedes.“But just because he works for that heartless geezer, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a heart.”
“I hope you’re right.”I pick up the two mugs, steeling myself.“For all our sakes.”
I walk back to the table.Lou and Matthew look immersed in conversation.Apprehension wars with a sudden heat.Matthew’s expression is serious, yet somehow gentle.After yesterday’s curt dismissal, I hadn’t expected to see him again so soon.
“Sorry, I forgot to ask how you take your coffee,” I interrupt, setting one of the mugs in front of Matthew.
My fingers brush his.Electricity shoots up my arm.For a second, the world disappears, replaced by the warmth of his skin against mine and the sound of my own quickened breath.
“Oh, black is perfectly fine, thank you,” he murmurs.But it’s his eyes that capture my attention.
For a fleeting moment, I see a vulnerability in those light greens.A hint of the man beneath the lawyer’s façade.Then, just as quickly, it’s gone, replaced by a guarded expression.His jaw clenches.
I take the chair next to Lou, across from Matthew.The small table offers little room.As I settle in, my knee brushes against his.A jolt of awareness sparks through me.Matthew’s shoulders stiffen, his spine snapping straight.I shift, trying to create distance, but his leg remains where it is, a steady heat against mine.I try to ignore it, but the point of contact sears.
Persistent.Impossible to dismiss.
All the while, his gaze remains fixed on Lou, but his jaw works silently.His long fingers curl around the mug, thumb absently stroking the handle.Matthew’s gaze flicks down, ever so briefly, towards our legs, then quickly back up.He tugs at his tie, loosening the knot with a sharp jerk.He inhales deeply, his broad chest expanding.
I watch the movement, mesmerized.Then, I catch myself.
He’s the man hired to take away my livelihood.
But even as the thought forms, I can’t deny the pull I feel towards him.A pull that defies logic.
A vibration in my pocket breaks the spell.I pull out my phone and glance at the screen.A text from James:
Rejecting me last night was very shitty of you Mimi but I can’t stay mad at you.
A shiver of disgust runs through me.I quickly place the phone face down.
Matthew’s gaze falls on my left hand, lingering on the ring that now adorns my finger.I instinctively clench my fist, hiding the diamond from his view.The reminder of the tangled web I’m caught in twists in my stomach.
“I was just telling Matthew how when you first started working here, you were a timid little thing.New in town, new to the café.But now look at you,” Lou carries on, oblivious to the tension.“A confident businesswoman and the heart and soul of Maddy’s Place.”
I try to focus on Lou’s words, but it’s hard.I steal a glance at Matthew.Our gazes lock for a fleeting moment.A silent conversation passes between us, heavy with unspoken questions.But they are quickly pushed aside as dread engulfs me.I force a smile, my expression a mask.
“Sadly,” I begin, my voice catching, “my days here may be numbered.”I can’t keep the news from Lou any longer.“Matthew is Harold Bancroft’s lawyer.Bancroft wants the café gone, so he’s refusing to renew our lease.”
Lou’s eyebrows shoot up.“Why, that’s preposterous!”
Matthew shifts uncomfortably.He stares into his black coffee, avoiding Lou’s gaze.
“How can you represent a man like that?”Lou’s question is more of an accusation.
Matthew shakes his head and releases a long sigh.“Harold is a valued client at our firm.He’s been with us for years.”He steals another glance at me, and this time, his eyes linger, a shadow of an apology in their depths.“He’s just a businessman looking after his own interests,” he says, voice flat.
I frown into my coffee, his words stinging like a slap.Anger rises.I want to scream, to throw my coffee in his face, to do anything to shake him out of his lawyerly indifference.
“And what about my Amy’s interests?”Lou speaks up.
Matthew lets out an exasperated exhale.
“Don’t worry, Lou.”I reach across and cover his hand with mine.“I’m not giving up on Maddy’s Place.I’ll figure something out.”
