Page 60 of Love on Tour
“A few shades,” Matt said.
“You look pretty darn handsome yourself.”
The quick break ended, and they took their seats for the remainder of the awards. Matt pointed to the empty one next to him.
“Isn’t Cait here?” Christine asked, trying not to sound hopeful or pitiful.
“I never bring dates to these events. I’m Austin’s beck-and-call guy, and that can be painful for a date.”
The table was built for six chairs, but they had squeezed in eight. This made for tight quarters, and despite her attempts to be proper, her arm brushed against Matt’s every time she reached for her drink. His thigh touched hers, ever so slightly, and after she pulled back twice, giving him distance, she gave into it when his thigh touched hers for the third time. She even relaxed into it, subtle as it was. He didn’t pull away. The touching heated her skin to the point where she thought of spontaneous combustion. Was that even a real thing? A few times, he leaned over to whisper something about the speech. Having his lips near her ear caused her to shiver.
“Are you cold?”
“No.”
“You shivered.”
She decided to be bold. “I have sensitive ears and you were practically kissing one.”
“Should I apologize?” he asked. “In this PC world, I don’t want to do anything unwanted.”
“No apology necessary. At all.”
He smiled. “Noted.”
The next time he whispered in her ear, her breath caught in her chest. She was afraid to move. She wanted to look at him, but at the same time, she didn’t want to.
He leaned in again.
“Christine?” His mouth was warm on her skin.
“Yes?”
“You can whisper back anytime you want.”
She closed her eyes and counted to five. Matt moved away and Christine turned to face him, eyes wide open. “I plan to,” she whispered.
Matt reached under the table and gently squeezed her knee before returning his hand to the top of the table.
Christine couldn’t focus. Had Matt and Cait broken up? Had they never been a couple to begin with? Was he just being playful and flirty? Christine was happy and confused all at the same time. She decided to just be happy and enjoy the moment, whatever it meant.
When the event ended, she reluctantly stood, ending their proximity.
“Let’s take some pictures,” Julianna said.
“I want one with my girl Chrissy,” Austin said, causing Phoebe to audibly gasp. Austin didn’t acknowledge it, but Julianna nudged Christine, who whispered, “Behave.”
Matt gave Christine her thrill of the night by handing his phone to Austin and saying, “My turn, bro.” Matt put his arm around Christine, and she prayed he couldn’t feel her tremble.
“Smile,” Austin said, and snapped the photo.
“Now one with my date,” Christine said, grabbing Julianna.
“And the fantasy continues,” Austin said, causing Phoebe to slap his arm. “What? I can take a photo of all three of you and add you to the fantasy.”
“No. Thank. You,” Phoebe said.
They posed for one group photo and called it a night. It would be a long week, and they still had the big night to go.
