Page 108 of Can't Kiss the Chef

“It’s been crazy. I came to the office early because I have to get some schedules finalized for next season by the end of the day and I didn’t want to miss Ruby’s sonogram this afternoon,” he says nonchalantly.

There is no missing the glow in his eyes at the mention of his girlfriend. She also happens to be Ivy’s sister, his nephew’s fiancé. The whole thing is a little incestual if you ask me. They are all so sickeningly happy that even I have a hard time giving them shit about it.

“Yeah, she is. We are expecting twins this summer.”

I jump from my seat and give Matt a hug. “You’re going to be the best dad. Are Caleb and Stella stoked for the new little editions?”

He smiles at the mention of Ruby’s kids.

“Stella has been begging for a baby sister since the day I was introduced to her. She is pissed that she has to wait until the birth to find out if she has a new little sister or not.”

I take the moment of levity to try and lessen the sting of my inevitable punishment.

“So about yesterday, I’m sorry for the scene I made in the cafeteria. I made an ass of myself and you know I normally hold–”

I’m cut myself off when I notice the confusion in his eyes, before the dawn of realization sparks in them.

“Yeah I heard about that.” He takes a deep breath.

“Look I’m going to let that slide because I know you are going through a lot right now. Don’t let this change your fun loving, carefree personality. You have a lot of people that care about you. Remember that.” His eyes meet mine in a caring plea. “If you ever feel like you’re going to have an episode like you had yesterday, seek one of them out, because I can’t overlook something like that again.”

I nod, thankful that he knows that’s not who I am.

“Wait. If I’m not in trouble then why am I here?” My mind is moving a mile a minute running through what could be happening.

“I talked to your mom when she was up here last weekend and she told me they were trying to get to as many games as possible. So I offered them my condo. I’m in the middle of moving into Ruby’s house and I was going to put it up for rent anyways.”

The tornado that’s swirling in my mind has slowed to a light summer breeze. My mind still can’t process what’s going on.

“I guess they haven’t told you yet.”

“No, they haven’t.”

“I could tell they didn’t know how to accept the offer. I just wanted you to know. Tell them that this is what you want too.”

I have to take a couple of deep breaths before I can talk.

“Thank you.”

I get up from the seat I settled on in front of Matt’s desk and walk over to him. He wraps me in a hug. I sag against the man that’s been like family for the last fifteen years.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

“You’ve always been family Byron and just know I’ll always be here for you.”

41

Lola

“It looks nice in here,” I tell Byron’s mom as we decorate with the little touches she brought to Westvale to make the condo feel like home.

Mr. Holloway left it fully furnished, so Byron’s parents brought some pictures and family heirlooms to make them comfortable for as long as they’re here.

However long that might be.

The amount of time has been the rain cloud pouring over us for the last couple of weeks. Byron and I haven’t really talked about his parents coming to live up here and how he is going to balance spending time with them, all the school work that comes with the semester ending and his hockey obligations.It’s obvious that he’s ecstatic that his parents accepted Mr. Holloway’s offer to stay in his condo. There’s been more one-on-one phone calls with his dad.

They’re starting to really understand each other now. Byron was almost giddy when he learned that they both have an unhealthy obsession with the Fast And Furious movie franchise. I was sitting on the couch in my apartment a couple of nights ago when he came flying in Mia on his heels, talking a mile a minute. When he finally spoke at a pace I could follow along with, I picked up that he and his dad were going to start the movies beginning the night they moved in.

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