“I’d rather watch you enjoy it.”
The flirting, the grin, the glint in his eyes. It was like we were reliving the night we met.
This isn’t real. My father’s paying him to be here.
Only it didn’t feel fake, and that worried me. I couldn’t afford to fall for Matt and his playboy charm.
“We should-”
“Mr. Robinson, your table is ready.”
Saved by the hostess.
At the table, Matt pulled out my chair. No guy had done that before. My cheeks turned red as I awkwardly figured out when to put my ass on the seat.
“Relax, Madi.”
I nodded, embarrassed that I didn’t know how to handle the situation. “Thanks.”
After he sat, the hostess handed us our menus and said, “Your server will be right with you.”
“Thank you,” Matt said.
Matt looked at me over the small candle burning in the middle of our white cloth-covered table. “You’ve never had a guy pull out your chair for you?” Disbelief filled his voice.
Was it common? Did I have the bad luck of dating the few guys who didn’t? I didn’t think so. Most women complained that chivalry was dead, so I didn’t believe for a second it was normal behavior.
Your brothers do it. I told the voice in my head to shut up.
“Never.”
He was quiet for a moment. “They should have. You deserve to be treated like a queen.”
Of all the things I might’ve anticipated him saying, that wasn’t on the list. I didn’t like being treated like helpless royalty.So why is it different with Matt?
Because Matt didn’t ignore my intelligence when he told me I was pretty.
Because Matt put forth the effort despite my independence.
Because Matt made me feel seen, heard, and valued.
Why was Matthew fucking Robinson so good at dating?
I continued reminding myself this was fake and not to fall for his charm.
Matt reached across the cozy table for two and gently nudged my chin until I looked at him.
I cleared my throat. “Aren’t you just full of surprises?” I asked with a laugh that I wished hadn’t sounded maniacal.
“You shall see.” He winked.
Fuck me.Against my better judgment, I was dying to know what other surprises Matt had up his sleeve.
“Interested in an appetizer?”
“Sure. What do you want?”
He narrowed his eyes at me and grinned. “They don’t have mozzarella sticks, but the cheese plate sounds interesting.”
