Zoey loops her arm through mine as we walk out of The Bar.
“So what did you say to Nate?”
She gives me an innocent smile. “Just gave him a quick talk.”
“A talk.”
“Mhm.”
“Zoeyyy,” I whine. “Please tell me you didn’t scare off one of my newest friends here. He may not even call us friends yet. Not to mention he’s Matt’s bestie.”
“Hey, it’s not like I could lecture Matt! He bought me a first-class flight to come visit you. I just wanted to be sure I got the message across.”
I cringe. “What message?”
“The same message every best friend has the right to give. Hurt my BFF and I’ll kill you.”
“Zoey! I’m not dating Nate! Isn’t that message for boyfriends?”
“I know. I told him to pass it along to Matt.”
Great. “Then why’d he look at me like—”Goddammit.“Did you tell him about my mom?”
Zoey looks sheepish now. “I just wanted him to understand the gravity of my message.”
I sigh and tighten my arm around hers. What are best friends for if not to threaten the guy you’re dating through their friends?
Wait. I stop walking. “Is that why you wanted to go to The Bar?”
“To my credit, we got a free drink out of it too.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I mutter.
“I have never pretended not to be.”
I smile and drag her forward. “Let’s go eat, you maniac.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
ELLIE
I tiptoeout of my room, leaving a sleeping Zoey in my bed. It’s just after eleven and I have something I want to do before I fall asleep. I checked and it’s not a game day, so I’m hopeful he’s still awake and free.
I curl up on the couch and pull a blanket up under my chin, tapping Matt’s contact on my phone. He picks up on the second ring.
“Hi, baby.” The low timbre of Matt’s voice puts little butterflies in my stomach.
I’m never going to get sick of that sound. The excitement and comfort I feel hearing him is such a heady combination. “Hi,” I say, just above a whisper.
“Why are you being so quiet?”
“Zoey’s asleep in my bed. I snuck out to the couch to call you.”
Matt sighs. “I’m jealous of your friend.”
“I can’t believe you flew her out for me. I don’t know what to say.” I swallow. “Thank you.”
“It was nothing,” he says dismissively. “I’m just glad my agent found her number for me and she was able to come. It was a good surprise?”
