“What are you doing here?”I ask, needing to break the silence.Needing to derail my train of thought.
Before I can stop him, he grabs the sheet of paper, looking it over quickly.“Well,” he holds up the incriminating evidence, “you clearly could use some help.”
“Thanks a lot,” I reply, swiping it from his hand as I round the counter.
“That came out wrong,” he says with a hint of apology.
“No, it’s exactly right,” I admit, taking down two dishes from the stack on the open shelf.
My stomach gives an appreciative rumble at the steam rising from the containers.The intoxicating smell of garlic, ginger, and something spicy fills the air.Matthew slides a tall wooden stool out with his foot and begins unpacking the white takeout boxes, setting them in a neat line.The glistening noodles and plump dumplings look perfect.
“I hope you like Chinese.It’s the only place open this late.”
“Yes, thanks.At this point, I’ll eat anything that is not liquid caffeine,” I confess, placing the plates down and sliding onto the stool.
Matthew takes the one beside me, chuckling as he arranges the containers between us, passing me a plastic fork and knife.
“No chopsticks, mister lawyer?”I cock my head with a half smile.
He beams at me while serving noodles onto his plate.“Your day has been challenging enough.”
I gawk at him.
“I’ll have you know there’s nothing I can’t pick up with these sticks.”I nudge his shoulder, making him laugh.
“Then I’ll come clean.I’m not big on chopsticks.Or Chinese food, for that matter,” he tells me, twirling his fork in the noodles like it’s spaghetti.
“I can see that,” I point to his plate, laughing as I reach for a dumpling.
My gaze suddenly catches on that almost imperceptible knot in the wood grain.
This spot.
What used to be our spot.
Where Mary, Helen, and I used to sit after locking up, sharing a bottle of Merlot and laughing about terrible dates and difficult customers.Helen perched right where Matthew is now, Mary behind the counter across from me.
Sitting here now, with Matthew beside me instead…
A bittersweet ache blooms in my chest.
“Everything okay?”Matthew asks, pulling me back.
“Yes, sorry, all good.”I give him a weak smile.
Matthew puts his fork down.“What is it, Amy?That dumpling has been sitting on your fork for the last couple of minutes.”
I inhale deeply and stuff the entire dumpling in my mouth in one go.Cheeks puffed out, I manage to give Matthew the biggest smile, making him throw his head back in laughter.But then my palm flies to cover my lips, struggling to chew.
“I’m so glad we didn’t stay to eat at the Statehouse last night.”He shakes his head, lips quivering and shoulders twitching as he holds back laughter.
My eyes widen.I press my palm tighter to my mouth, almost spitting out my food.
“My gosh!”I exhale in relief after finally swallowing.“You’re horrible,” I tease, my shoulders shaking with light laughter.
Matthew laughs and plops another dumpling onto my plate.
“Oh no, I don’t think so.”I shake my head and pick up the box of noodles.“I’m sticking to noodles for now.”
