Page 23 of Taming You

“Hey, Bug,” he says, and I swear my heart stops in my chest as my mouth opens slightly. Did he really call me Bug? He hasn’t called me that in over a decade. Why the hell is he bringing it out now?

“Bug?” Dean asks.

Matt grins bigger and comes to my side, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, and I must be fucking dreaming.What the hell is going on?

“Yeah, just a name I’ve had for Zo here since we were kids.”

Dean’s eyes bounce between the two of us, and he nods. “Ahhh. Well, it was nice talking to you, Zoey. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

I smile. “See you tomorrow.”

When Dean rounds the corner, I turn to Matt and slap his arm. “What the fuck was that? Bug? You haven’t called me that since I was like fifteen. Why are you bringing it back now?”

He looks at me with a blank stare and then shrugs. “I don’t know, but I’m thinking I should bring it back full time.” He’s grinning now. “What do you say, Bug? Ready for breakfast?”

“Can we not with the nickname?”

He shakes his head. “I forgot how much it bothered you hearing that name in public.”

“Yeah, because it’s a weird name,” I huff.

He throws his head back and laughs. “But it was so you.”

“No it wasn’t.”

He sits and pulls at the laces of his skates. “Whatever you say, Bug. How about some pancakes?”

My stomach growls at the mere mention of food, and he grins at me. He knows my weaknesses and it fucking sucks.

I follow him to his car, helping him get Jayden settled before we head to the restaurant.

CHAPTER 10

Matt

Ihave no idea why I’m pacing my living room, but I do know I’m anxious as hell. I can’t stop thinking about Zoey being on a date withDean. What could she possibly see in a guy like him? He’s got a few years on me, which means he’s got several on her. Zoey is smart and beautiful. Why would she feel the need to date someone so much older, and so… I nearly drop my phone when it starts ringing. Liv’s picture fills the screen and I answer.

“Hey, Liv.”

“Hey! What’s going on?”

I look around my apartment like a weirdo, as if my sister is watching me and knows I was just thinking about her best friend in ways I probably shouldn’t be.

“Nothing, just hanging out at home. You?”

“Same. I actually just got off the phone with Gi. We were thinking about doing brunch on Saturday and wanted to know if you wanted to join us?”

“Yeah, that should work,” I say.

“Oh, good. Josh said he can either take Jayden for you or I’m sure Mom would love to take him.”

“Josh is willing to take on two kids under one?” I ask, surprised.

“Josh will be fine with both of them.” I hear the smile in her voice. “Plus, if we’re going to have more, we’ve got to get used to it.”

“I guess…”

“Oh, stop it, Matty. Josh will be just fine for a few hours. We haven’t gotten together just the three of us in a long time. Indulge me, please?”

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