But then he got hit, and I was transported back in time, and all I could see was a much younger Matthew standing in my room in the middle of the night. His still boyish face was covered in bruises, but even they couldn’t extinguish the fire blazing in his dark eyes as they looked into mine, anger and pain shining in their depths.
“You totally checked him out,” Mae teases, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“D-did not.”
My weak protest has her laughing. “You’re a shit liar, Jessy.”
“Why does everybody keep saying that?”
Mae rolls her eyes. “Because it’s true? You cannot lie to save your life.”
“Well, there is nothing wrong with that.”
“I guess.” Mae shrugs. “It sure does come in handy, but I digress. I think he’ll be good for you.”
“Good for me?” My brows pull together. “The man drives me crazy.”
“Like I said, good for you.”
I glance at my friend. “How is that good for me?”
“It means that he rattles you. Makes you feel.”
My heart does a little flip, but I press my lips together, determined to ignore it.
“Feel the need to strangle him, maybe. And that can only lead me to one place. Jail.”
Mae smirks. “Does it include the man in question handcuffing you and taking you there?”
My mouth falls open, which only makes my best friend grin wider.
“You’re incorrigible,” I mutter, shoving her away. “Why don’t we talk a little bit about you and your reaction to Nico Rivera for a change?”
That has her sobering up. Mae frowns. “There is nothing to talk about.”
“Mmhmm… I cantotallysee that.”
“There isn’t. I don’t even know the guy. Not that I care to know him.”
The doorbell rings just then.
Mae and I exchange a look, and I’m pretty sure her deer-caught-in-the-headlights expression matches mine. The air in the room is filled with tension as the silence stretches.
“Well…” I nibble at the inside of my cheek. “I guess it’s showtime.”
Mae presses her lips together in a tight line. “You’re so lucky I love you.”
I grab my bag and hand Mae hers as we walk to the door. “The luckiest considering I know your no dating cops rule.”
Mae gives me a side-eye. “No dating anyone in law enforcement, more like it.”
“Well, look at the bright side, it’s fake, so… I guess that doesn’t count?”
Mae lets out a huff in frustration just as the doorbell rings again.
“We’re coming! Just hold your damn horses.” She abruptly pulls the door open and glares at Nico, whose finger is still hovering over the bell. “Of course it’s you.”
I look over her shoulder and find two tall frames standing on my porch.
