I furrowed my brow. “I don’t appreciate the insinuation. Besides, I would never do something like that, so it doesn’t matter. There is no reason I shouldn’t be able to share a house with Matt because there’s nothing between us. It’s strictly professional.”
“Oh I get it. So he’s not very good looking.”
I balked. “I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to,” she said. “It’s the only explanation there is. You’re a pretty young woman who loves kids and has recently decided to spread her wings and explore the world around her, and he’s a rich single dad who let you move into his amazing mansion. The only reason I can think of for you not being into him is that he’s not very good looking. What a shame.”
“First of all, when did you get so shallow? And second of all.” I sat up, as if to help prove my point even though Gina wasn’t there to see me do it. “Matt is actually very good looking, but just because he’s good looking doesn’t mean I’m attracted to him!”
“Huh,” Gina said.
“What?”
“I’m just trying to figure out how that works… How can he be rich, kind, and good looking, but still you’re not attracted to him?”
“Maybe because I am here to do a job, not to get a boyfriend.” I huffed. “Now, can we move on from this? You’re making me regret taking on the role as your back-up friend to Lily.”
“Fine,” she said. “I will back off. I didn’t mean to upset you, I was just having some fun.”
I leaned back against the headboard. “It’s okay. Just, promise me you won’t go around telling the girls that I have a crush on Matt or something. Even as a joke. Now that Lily is with David, anything we tell her could get back to all the Becker brothers, and I would really rather not lose my job because of some dumb joke.”
“Fair enough. I won’t make any insinuations, I promise.”
“Thanks.”
“The last thing I’m going to say is this—if you’re not into Matt Becker, then do you mind if I go on a date with him?”
I felt my bottom jaw fall open.
“I—uh—I—sure! Sure! If you want to go on a date with him, that’s fine. You don’t live here, so that could complicate things, but…” I trailed off.But what?
“I was just joking,” she said. “I just wanted to see what your reaction was. For someone who claims not to have a crush on this guy, you seemed pretty taken aback when I suggested that I was going to take a run at him.”
I scoffed. “I was surprised because I didn’t think a date between you two was feasible,” I said, making sure my irritation with her was audible in my tone of voice. “That’s it.”
“If you say so.”
“Gina—”
“I know,” she said. “I’m being a pain in the ass. I’m sorry. I just really want to know whether or not you’re going to start dating this guy because I’ve already lost one friend to the irresistible charm of a Becker brother. I want to be prepared in case I’m going to lose you next.”
“You won’t,” I said. “I promise. But listen, I do have to get going. I think I just heard Will’s voice down the hall. I should go see what he wants for breakfast.”
“Okay,” she said. “It was good talking to you. Sorry for being… well, like myself.”
“It’s fine,” I told her. “Call me anytime.”
“I think I will.”
We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. Then, I got dressed and went out into the kitchen where I found Will eating a bowl of cereal and talking to his dad, who was sweaty and wearing workout clothes. He must’ve just come back from a run. I tried not to look at his arms sticking out of his t-shirt, which was wet and clinging to his body.
“Oh, hi,” Matt said when he saw me. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Sorry. I should’ve come out here sooner, I just thought Will was still asleep.”
“That’s alright,” said Matt. “On Saturdays, you’re not technically on the clock until 9 anyways. Sorry about all the commotion. I hope the cleaning crew didn’t bother you too much. I forgot to mention someone was sleeping on the main floor. I’m still getting used to having the guest room permanently occupied.”
“It’s quite alright,” I said. “They mentioned you were getting ready for a dinner party?”