Page 137 of Lovers' Dance

Still protesting over his words, I went to retrieve the pair of shoes from its box, lovingly slipping them on, then wincing as my sore toes felt the pinch. Matt led me out of my bedroom. I stopped complaining when we hit the landing. I didn’t want Nathan and Bella knowing our private business. Wait.Was she wearing a ring on her left hand?I pushed past Matt and ran down the stairs, ignoring his surprised yelp at my actions. I hadn’t had time to pay attention, what with Matt ordering me upstairs like a drill sergeant, but I was certain something big and sparkly was on her left hand. Could it be?

I jumped the last two steps, risking a snapped heel, or worse, a snapped ankle, but I was excited. Nathan and Bella both regarded me with alarm as they stood up.

“Oh my God,” I squeaked, striding up to the brunette and grabbing at her hand like a freak. She shot Nathan a nervous glance, then beamed when she saw my intent.

I squealed. Yes, it was a squeal. Embarrassing, but couldn’t be helped.

“Are you guys engaged? Of course, you are. There’s a ring on your finger.” I was manhandling her hand, trying to get a good look at the rock. “Look at your ring. Oh my gosh. When did this happen? How did he propose? Did he go down on one knee? Matt. They’re engaged.”

I pulled Bella into a hug. We barely knew each other, but she’d been nice at the charity ball and I was excited.

“I know they are, poppet,” Matt drawled as he came down the stairs at a more sedate pace.

“Congratulations,” I said, stepping away from Bella, then reaching out to hug Nathan, too.

It was awkward. I shouldn’t have done it but sometimes I was over exuberant. Nathan stood stiffly, arms at his side as I thumped his shoulders. He uneasily patted me lightly on the lower back, to which Matt jokingly warned him to unhand his woman. Yeah, it was awkward.

“Thank you,” he said when I stepped back.

I turned my attention back to Bella. She held her hand out so I could fully appreciate the magnificent ring Nathan had shackled her with. I loved the thought of marriage, just didn’t see it happening with me. Come on, I was a tad neurotic. A man would need to have his own level of crazy to deal with my brand of madness. Matt definitely wasn’t that kind of crazy. Grumps’s words echoed in my head.

“Shall we go now?” Nathan asked Matt, with a questioning eyebrow raised as Bella advised me of the colour and clarity of her ring. The carat—Nathan must be as rich as Matt. It seemed he’d gone all out on Bella’s engagement ring.

Matt came over to ease me away from Bella. “Get your bag, poppet. We’re leaving.”

Grinning at Bella, I went over to grab my everyday bag and take out my cell, wallet and Oyster card. Once I’d transferred the necessities into a black clutch that had been lying unused on my desk for weeks, I was ready.

“What did you do with my keys?” I asked Matt, who was ushering Nathan and Bella to the front door.

“They’re in the kitchen. I’ve got mine. Let’s go.”

Biting back a retort, I went to get my keys. Couldn’t risk not being able to get in again.

Matt was impatiently tapping his foot as I hurried to the front door. “You have no real sense of urgency, do you?” he asked dryly.

I cocked an eyebrow at him. “Bearing in mind, I wasn’t planning on going out tonight and I don’t know where we’re going, I don’t think you should be complaining about my sense of urgency, Matt.”

He watched me for a second, then sent me a boyish grin. “God, I love you, woman. You’re bloody cheeky and, for the life of me, I can’t understand why I absolutely enjoy that trait of yours. Something I wouldn’t tolerate with anyone else, mind you.”

“Is it because I’m cute and chocolaty?” I teased as he locked up. I could start back being distant with him tomorrow. Tonight, I wanted to hold my boyfriend’s hand, maybe get to second base. He seemed serious about this dating thing again.A month?Seriously?

Matt checked the door was secure, then slipped a hand around my waist as we walked towards his car where Bella and Nathan stood waiting.

“You’re not cute,” Matt said firmly. “You’re exquisite, and the chocolaty comment makes me a bit uncomfortable, but it’s true nonetheless.”

“You enjoy mixing your milk with my coffee, Mr Bradley?” I whispered as we drew nearer to the car.

“Stop,” Matt said sharply. “I dislike you joking about this topic, Madison.”

I stiffened next to him, suddenly feeling like a reprimanded school child. It was a joke. Maybe tasteless, but a simple joke.

“Sorry,” I mumbled under my breath. He was like the wind. One moment playful, the next turbulent and cold. Might as well buy him panties and a box of tampons. Was he experiencing male PMS?

His hand constricted on my waist as he felt my stiffness. We were almost at the car.

Matt leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Forgive me, poppet. I’m being an arse again. Joke all you want—”

“No, you’re right,” I interrupted quietly as he pulled his car keys out. I gave him a small smile, then stepped away. We never talked about our differences in race. Not really. I’d make a joke and he would frown and tell me to stop showing my racist tendencies. Then I would laugh, and he would smile at me before changing the subject. It obviously made Matt uncomfortable. I made him uncomfortable. Grumps was right in a way: Matt was in a situation he’d never been in before. Grumps had said, once the novelty wore off, Matt would no doubt resume his old life with his old companions. Grumps was well aware of Matt’s prolific love life. He’d sounded—dare I say—impressed when advising me someone as experienced as Matt would eventually yearn for more than I could give him. It had grossed me out, having Matt’s granddad talking about sex with me. Eurgh.

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