Page 78 of Pucking Your Best Friend

“Oh, that’s Barry McStein,” she responded lightly. “He owns a winery near San Diego. I introduced them.”

Of course she did. “And why would you do that?” he asked abruptly.

Nell shrugged. “Why not? I thought they were a good match. And it looks like they’re getting along, right?”

Matt narrowed his eyes as Maddie’s laughter drifted over to him. Shit. It did look like they were getting along. “He’s not right for her,” he said quietly.

“Oh, really? So, you know him?”

“No, but…”

“But what? Why is he not right?”

“Stop it, Nell,” he said, annoyed. “Don’t provoke me.”

“How could I provoke you?” She sucked in a breath in mock shock. “I mean, Matty, you’re just platonic friends! Don’t tell me you’re jealous!” She put a hand to her chest dramatically.

Shit. She knew. Shecouldn’tknow, but she did! “Nell,” he said warningly.

“What? Did I do something wrong? She’s always helping you meet women. Why shouldn’t she be allowed to meet someone?”

“She can meet anyone she wants,” he growled. “But that doesn’t mean you have to throw some winemaker in her lap.”

“But he’s sweet and nice. Do you mind?”

Groaning, he tilted his head back and rubbed his eyes. “Why are you torturing me, Nell? You already know what’s going on.”

“What do I know? That you’re having sex?”

“We’re not,” he pressed.

“So, you’re not platonic friends, Matty! Come on. Do you know Maddie flinches every time someone shoves you into the boards? At that hockey game we went to months ago?”

He frowned. She…flinched? “Nothing was going on between us, Nell. Back then.”

“Oh, please!”

“Yes, really.”

She snorted. “Matty. Why do you think I asked you to bring Maddie? And why do you think I told her I was trying to set her up? I thought I could give you a little help. But, obviously, you’ve already helped yourselves.”

He sighed heavily. “It’s not what you think.”

“So, you didn’t sleep together?”

“Okay, itiswhat you think. But it was only one time.”

“Iknewit!” She smacked him on the shoulder, grinning. “Harriet owes me ten bucks. Just friends, my ass.”

“But we were just friends, Nell,” he insisted quietly. “Really. There was nothing between us during the last year!”

“Seriously?” She raised her eyebrows, astonished. “But you were so sweet together the whole time.”

He groaned inwardly. “As friends, yes!”

“Okay. What’s changed?”

“I don’t know.” He looked at his hands hesitantly.

---