“I’m great. I’m more than great. How are you two?”
“Evidently not as great as you,” Marco says teasingly. “Wait, why are you so jumpy? You better not have tried another energy drink like you did last month because Irefuseto stay up all night again jogging in place and talking about who we dated in high school—though if you ask nicely, yes, I will repeat the story of Bobby Musgrave’s amazing prom-posal to me in the Dairy Queen parking lot that moved almost everyone to tears.”
“You know I love that story,” I tell him. “But I’m just all hopped up on this idea I have for my collection. I’m really excited about it.”
“Awesome,” Holly says happily. “You should come out with us to celebrate. We were just heading out for a quick drink.”
Heading out. Out into the hall where Matt is standing.
“How about we stay here instead? We can pop open that bottle of wine I bought the other day and have drinks out on the terrace.”
“Wasn’t that the wine you said you got for Daniella?” Marco asks.
“No, Daniella prefers red. So what do we think? Yes to drinks on the terrace?”
“I’m in,” Holly says with a content shrug.
“Me, too,” Marco adds. “Is it just me or does anyone else get an incomparable thrill when plans get canceled? Even when I want to go somewhere, I’m never happier than when I suddenly don’t have to.”
He and Holly head back deeper into the apartment, and I linger behind, looking around like I lost something.
“I’ll be right there,” I call after them. “I think I dropped my sweater in the elevator.”
They’ve disappeared from view and I whip around, swinging the door open and finding Matt leaning against the wall beside the door.
“Did I hurt you?” I ask him quietly, assessing him for signs of injury and thankfully finding no obvious gaping wounds. “If you experienced whiplash, I have a cousin who’s a chiropractor and she taught me basic maneuvers. I’m not board certified, but I feel like confidence is the most important instrument in any practitioner’s tool belt.”
“Yeah, I’m going to pass on any adjustments at the moment. It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s that suffering in silence is my default mode.”
I move to stand in front of him, resting my hands on his shoulders. “I’m sorry this didn’t go according to plan. I just couldn’t let Marco and Holly find out about...whatever this is we have going on. Marco would have a field day and Holly... Holly wouldn’t like it.”
“It’s fine,” he tells me. “I understand.”
“You’re more than welcome to join us on the terrace.”
Matt shakes his head. “I think I’m going to call it a night.” I’m disappointed but I get it. I lean forward and kiss him. It’s gentle and sweet and I want it to last so much longer than it does.
“Does even a little part of you wish we stayed at the pool?” he asks, our faces close. His eyes searching mine.
I mull the thought over in my head and am still convinced that I made the right decision as I lean back.
“Honestly, I get the mystique, but I think pool sex is probably better in theory than in practice. Like, I appreciate and respect the idea of flat-rimmed fedoras but when I try one on, I look like I’m wearing a witch’s hat that somehow lost its happy tip.”
“Can you not sayhappy tipright now?”
“I’m just saying, upon reflection, I’ve discovered that I’m more comfortable with land-based steamy time. Frisky pool activities are a no-go.”
“Point taken,” Matt says lightly. “From here on out, all our steamy encounters will be strictly land-based.”
I lean into him, placing my palms on his chest through his shirt. “I’m very much looking forward to those encounters.”
“Me, too,” he replies. He reaches up with one hand and tucks my hair behind my ear. His touch is soft and self-assured and I’m worried I’m starting to crave it. Part of me is hoping he won’t let me go. He could pull me forward. Kiss me again. But if he did, it would be near impossible for me to walk away, and unfortunately for me, I soon do just that. I head for the door and grip the handle, but then turn back at the last second.
“Can I just say one more thing about flat-rimmed fedoras?”
“Please leave,” Matt answers.
“Fair enough.” I open the door and begin to step inside. Still, I can’t help myself from stopping again, catching Matt’s eyes once more. “Thank you for a wonderful night,” I say. I mean it and he knows I mean it. He gazes back at me with a grin and a look that promises more nights like this. Nights like this that won’t include any interruptions.
