CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
JADE
“I should have gone back to my room after that last drink... I should have said no when Julian asked me to come back to his.” - Clara Foss, Painted Inferno
Ellie
Girl, please don’t hate me, but I can’t make it tonight.
I’m behind on so much stuff with work and my boss is making me stay at the office late until it’s all done.
Istare down at Ellie’s two messages, feeling the disappointment and dread mixing together in the pit of my stomach. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter to myself as I look up at my reflection in the mirror.
Matteo sent me tickets for the game tonight. Tickets for the two seats he has for every game. His sisters or family normally take the seats, but tonight was open and he gave them to me after I finished writing my book.
This was a planned night and Ellie was supposed to be my emotional support human.
My lungs deflate with a sigh as I type a response.
Jade
It’s fine, I get it. Your job is definitely more important.
Ellie
I owe you mimosas for life.
My gaze rakes over my reflection once more. My makeup is subtle and I’m just wearing a simple sweater and jeans. It’s not too late for me to change into a pair of sweatpants. I could pretend to be sick and just tell Matteo I can’t make it.
Before I get another chance to think over my possible plan, my phone lights up again. I’m half expecting another text from Ellie, but instead, it’s Matteo calling me.
“Hey,” I say, answering on the second ring.
“Hey, Sunny,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice. “Is this a bad time?”
“No, no,” I sigh again. “Ellie bailed. She has to stay late at the office tonight.”
“Bailed?” His tone shifts and his voice is quiet, almost as if he’s hesitant to ask. “You’re still coming, though, right?”
I swallow. “I mean, yeah. But I feel weird showing up by myself and sitting alone.”
He’s silent for a second. “I’ll come get you. You can ride to the arena with me.”
My eyes widen slightly as I stare back at myself in the mirror. “I don’t want to trouble you. You have a game in?—”
“Two hours,” he interjects. “I’m walking out my door now. I have plenty of time.”
“Matteo,” I start, shaking my head to myself. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t,” he responds, his voice softer. “I want to. I’ll be there in fifteen.”
My heart kicks into overdrive as we end the call and suddenly, I’m moving like a whirlwind around my apartment. I wasn’t anticipating leaving just yet, so I quickly make sure everything is in place, double checking my outfit before grabbing my purse and heading down to the lobby.
I head out onto the sidewalk in front of my building to wait for him and he shows up in record time, pulling his dark SUV along the curb. The passenger door pushes open from the inside and Matteo is leaned across the center console, a smile tugging on his lips.
“You goin’ my way, beautiful?”
A giggle escapes me and my purse swings as I jog over to the car, hopping into the passenger seat. The car smells like him, woodsy and bold. He’s wearing a black sweatsuit with the logo for the Hillford Hawks over his left breast.
