I smile.That’s so Matt.
Jessica:Sounds nice. Would you say you prefer a big crowd or a smaller circle of close friends?
Matt:Small circle, for sure.
Jessica:You’ve developed a bit of a reputation for being… well, popular with the ladies. No offense. Any plans to settle down?
Matt:(laughs) None taken. I’m not opposed to settling down, if the right person came along.
Jessica:You’ve been linked to Jordan Demetriou previously over the years. Care to comment on her upcoming wedding?
Matt:Jordan’s a longtime friend. I’m always happy to see her doing well.
Friend.The word sticks out like a sore thumb.
I’m the one who made it that way, and the one who’s kept it that way, but still…
We’re so much more than that. We’vebeenso much more. He knows it. I know it.
I try not to dwell. I left. I got engaged. End of story.
Jessica:Ever been close to something serious yourself?
Matt:(chuckles) Almost.
Jessica:What happened?
Matt:Timing, probably. Or life.
I roll my eyes.Or maybe it’s you, Matt. Jesus.
Jessica:Would you call her “the one who got away”?
Matt:(smiles) I’d say she most definitely got away.
Jessica:Do we get a name?
Matt:No comment.
The one who got away?The words echo louder than I want them to. My stomach flutters. I run through his past girlfriends, coming up empty. He’s never been with anyone longer than three months—besides me.
Jessica:Last question. What’s the one thing you find most attractive in a woman?
Matt:Confidence. I like a woman who knows who she is and isn’t afraid to stand next to me in the spotlight.
Confidence.Yeah, that one stings. I’m a pretty damn confident woman, always have been, and it’s hardnotto feel confidentstanding next to someone like Matt. Sure, it can be intimidating, knowing people are looking, whispering, talking shit. Knowing thathechosemewas always enough to put the haters in a box and tuck them away for the night.
But the box was still there, and on hard days, it would crack open, and every word I’d heard or read came tumbling out, challenging the woman in the mirror. Tabloids are brutal. I learned a long time ago to stay the hell away from the comment section. That’s where confidence goes to die.
The one who got away…
Whatever. I close the magazine and force a laugh, pretending I don’t care, even if my racing pulse says otherwise.
Matt’s always been good at saying just enough to keep people guessing, even me. And the truth is, when Matt wants something, he goes after it. Relentlessly. He doesn’t let itget away.
I did.
More than once.
