Matthew’s gaze is zeroed in on me, as if he was waiting for me to show up; those brown eyes flaring slightly when they connect with mine. My mouth goes dry as I watch him. His face is clean shaven, and the bruise on his jaw colors his skin in shades of blue and purple. His hair is styled in that perfectly messy look that makes you want to sink your hands in it and tug at it as he kisses you.
Not that he’s going to kiss me.
Or that I would want him to kiss me.
Because this is fake.
As if he can read my mind, the corner of his mouth tips upward. The forest-green polo that he’s wearing accentuates the faint ring of green surrounding his pupils.
“Hi, Doc.”
“No. I changed my mind.”
Blinking, I shift my gaze back to my friend, just in time to see her start to close the door in Nico’s face, but he’s faster, his palm pressing against the hardwood.
“Don’t act like a brat.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to hold back my chuckle, as I stare at them.
Nico’s face is serious, but I can see a twinkle of amusement shining in his eyes as he looks at my fuming best friend.
Mae grinds her teeth as she tries to push harder against the door. “Who’re you calling a brat?”
Nico shrugs, not seeming in the least bit worried. “You, since you’re apparently determined to act like one.”
Mae’s mouth falls open, but she quickly closes it, pressing her lips together. “Well, then by all means, you can go back from where you’ve come from and avoid my bratty attitude, Mr. Oh-High-and-Mighty.”
He just lifts his brow. “And miss spending the night in your lovely company? I don’t think so.”
“I told you I’m not interested.”
My brows shoot up at that little tidbit of information. She never mentioned that particular part to me; then again, Maisie is apparently determined not to talk about Nico at all.
Mae lets go of the door and crosses her arms over her chest. “Hopefully after this, you’ll be done stalking me.”
“Stalking you? You wish.”
She eyes him from head to toe. “No, honey,youwish.”
His eyes narrow, the two of them locked in a staring contest.
“Are you kids done now?” Matthew asks, breaking the silence.
“No!” they say in unison.
He just looks between them and shakes his head. “At least you agreed on something.”
A soft chuckle bubbles out of me, which makes Mae turn around and shoot me a glare. “Oh, now you find this funny.”
“Don’t look at me. This whole thing started with your brilliant idea, so you don’t really get to complain.”
“Of-fucking-course,” Mae grumbles under her breath. “Because that’s just my luck. Ugh, let’s just get this over with already.”
Slipping out of the house, I lock the door. A shiny black Ford truck is parked behind my car, along with a sleek bike.
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Maybe we should just take my?—”
“No.” Matthew’s tone leaves no room for argument as he places his hand on the small of my back. I close my eyes, fighting a shudder.
