Page 16 of The Brit and the Bridesmaid
“I have a feeling he’ll be sending me out for coconut korma on a regular basis now.” Matt smiled as he dropped to the sofa. “I would, of course, have to reward myself with a little dhansak for my troubles.”
“Of course.” Abby pulled her feet onto the couch next to her. “And if I was here, what you bring for me?”
He didn’t even hesitate. “Channa masala.”
Abby was impressed, but not surprised. Matt noticed little things like that. “What if we were having Thai food?”
“Chicken Pad Thai.”
Not bad. “What do I like on my hamburgers?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Nice try, Abby, but you don’t eat hamburgers. No red meat for you.”
Not bad at all. Her eyes darted to the entry table near the door, where her keys sat by her phone.
“What is on my key ring?”
He turned his head toward the door. Abby moved quickly, scooting over so she knelt right next to him and covered his eyes with her hand. “No peeking. We’ll see just how observant you really are, Matthew Carlton. What is on my key ring?”
“Your keys.”
“Very funny.”
He flashed her his brilliant smile. Even with her hand lamely covering his eyes, that smile was dazzling. She thought she’d become immune to it over the past weeks. Apparently not.
Completely unaware of how distracting the lower half of his face really was, Matt answered her trivia question with her hands still covering his eyes. “You have on your key ring a brass-colored bauble in the shape of the state of Oregon.”
That was absolutely correct. She dropped her hand away. “How did you know that?”
His deep green eyes met hers. “Why are you always surprised that I notice things about you?”
“Because you notice everything.” She wasn’t creeped out or worried—Matt was a nice guy, a good guy in a way she’d long ago decided didn’t exist anymore. “It’s like you’re...”
“Paying attention?” he finished for her. His smile tipped with amusement. “That surprises you?”
When she really thought about it, the attention he paid her was surprising. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had really noticed her. Dirk had only ever taken note of what she wore or did or said when she fell short of his expectations.
“Most people don’t notice the girl with dirt under her nails,” she said. “I work an unimportant job at a hole-in-the-wall nursery.” She was embarrassing herself, pointing out hershortcomings and yet could seem to stop the list from pouring out of her. “Why would anyone pay attention to—”
“Abby.” He set a hand gently on the side of her face.
Her heart jumped to her throat, pounding and pulsing. Heat poured into her cheeks. Matt had never touched her like that before. They’d brushed hands or arms a few times while working in Barney’s garden. They’d high-fived after scoring a goal during Sunday afternoon soccer matches. But he hadn’t ever touched her that way, deliberately and affectionately.
He said her name again, but slower and softer. He cupped her face in his hand, his thumb slowly brushing along her cheek.
Abby tried to hide the way his touch upended her. If he had any idea how quickly and fully she was falling for him, he would have all the ammunition he needed to break her heart. She wasn’t ready to feel that kind of vulnerability again.
“If you keep doing that, I’ll think you’re about to kiss me.” She tried to keep her tone light and joking. She could tell she didn’t entirely succeed.
“Maybe Iamabout to kiss you.”
Her heart flipped over. Every ounce of air slid out of her lungs. She couldn’t look away. Matt moved closer. She met him halfway. The space that separated them jumped and crackled with energy. Anticipation tiptoed over Abby’s skin.
I don’t know if I’m ready for this.Her mind warned her not to get in any deeper, but her heart pounded too loudly. She wanted Matt to kiss her, she’d wanted it for weeks, though she’d never admitted it to herself.
Why wasn’t he moving? Was he waiting? Had he changed his mind already? Abby lowered her eyes. If he was about to reject her before they even had anything between them, she didn’t want to have to see it on his face.
“I probably should go,” she whispered quickly.
