“What are you doing here?” I manage to stammer out, completely caught off guard.
“What am I doing here? This is my house. What are you doing here?” Matt glances quizzically from my face to the envelope lying next to me.
“Well, I… I just meant, right now. What are you doing here in the middle of the afternoon, on a Monday? Don’t you have to work?” I start to stand up and Matt reaches down to help. I brush his hand away, wanting with every ounce of my being to touch him, but knowing if I do that it’ll be the end of my composure.
“I just got back from a business trip.” Matt cocks his head to a side, studying me. “That doesn’t explain why you’re trying to stuff mysterious envelopes through the mail slot.”
“Right! Sorry. Here.” I thrust the envelope into Matt’s hands and take a solid step back, wanting distance between me and the alpha male.
“What is it?” Matt asks as he starts to open the package. He shakes the envelope and the ring pours into his hand. “My great grandmother’s ring.” Matt looks at me, a stunned expression on his chiseled face.
“Yeah,” I say, hoping I sound relaxed. “Funny story. I guess I thought I’d had it on when the fire started, but it turns out I’d forgotten I’d taken it off earlier. I guess it’s been stuck in my jeans’ pocket since…” My voice trails off, but I finish the thought in my mind: since we were at the cabin.
Matt’s still looks somewhat shocked as he eyes me up and down, silent and foreboding. I pat my hair, embarrassed that I probably look like a complete mess. I touch my hands to my cheeks – they’re flaming hot with consternation and I can only imagine their bright red color.
So much for playing it cool, I tell myself sarcastically. Matt remains silent as he examines the ring absently. I shift foot-to-foot, unsure of what to do or say. Finally, I can’t take the awkwardness any longer.
“So anyways, I just wanted to bring that back as soon as I found it, because, well because of the insurance policy you have on the ring. And because it’s yours.”
Plus, I secretly hoped I’d run into you for the past two weeks.
But still, silence.
“Okay, well, I better get going. I may not travel for business trips but I have to get back to the store. We have this romance writer coming on Saturday and we have a lot to set up and organize, plus apparently she’s very particular about – ” I babble.
“How have you been?” Matt interrupts me.
“How – how have I been?” I stare at Matt, incredulous.
“Since…the last time we saw each other?”
Well, at least he looks uncomfortable.
I bite my lip, unsure what to say. On the one hand, I’ve been miserable, lonely, and continually nauseous for the last two weeks. On the other, I’ve been embarrassed about our tryst and unsure what to do about the situation. Worst of all, I’ve realized that I’m in love with Matt and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.
And now, standing in the elegant foyer of the Harrison mansion, I burst into ugly, uncontrollable tears, overwhelmed by emotion.
Matt immediately comes to my rescue, wrapping me in a tight embrace that only makes me sob harder. We stand this way for several moments – me blubbering against Matt’s broad chest while he strokes my back and murmurs soothing words into my ear. And for the first time in two weeks, I suddenly feel safe again.
More than safe. Complete.
Finally, I work up the courage to look up at his face, unsure what I’ll find or even what I’m looking for.
To my dismay, Matt looks troubled, his blue eyes dark and moody. I once again rest my head against his firm chest, wanting to cherish this embrace for as long as I can. Because I know, from his eyes, that any minute he’s going to tell me that what we did was wrong, and we will never be together.
Overwhelmed, my sobs start up anew, and I hold the man I love tighter.
17
Matt
I’m doing what I can to calm Cora down, but the woman is sobbing like her life is over.
I know the feeling, I think miserably while I stroke her back and try to soothe her. In response to my comfort, Cora only cries harder. I had thought she was going to stop for a minute there, but instead she’s holding me tightly, as if this is finally goodbye.
My own eyes mist up at the thought. Is this goodbye?
It can’t be, I think angrily. After everything we went through, after our time at the cabin. I shake my head and pull the curvy girl even more firmly against me, never wanting to let her go.