Page 117 of Hoax and Kisses
“Hey, Lols.”
Oh, right. His friend Lola, from the bookstore. The one who gave me the smutty book that had me wishing Matt would do to me what Jason did to Delia in chapter fourteen.
“Where have you been?” She hugs him, then Daphne, before pulling me close too. “You disappeared from the face of the earth.”
“That might have been my fault.” Cringing, I raise a hand. “I took him to Vancouver for a weekend, and I’ve been keeping him busy since.”
Lola’s eyes dance, and I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole. I didnotmean to make it sound as racy as it did.
“I’m glad my book recommendations gave you a few ideas.” She waves her fingers in front of us. “Whatever this is, I ship.”
“God, Lols, shut up,” Matt groans. “Where is James?”
She nods to her left. “Over there. Saved you a seat.” She turns to me. “Knock them dead, okay?”
“Thanks,” I say, lips stretching into a tight smile, nerves once again overtaking me.
“Give me two minutes,” Matt tells her. “I’ll be right over.” He nudges his sister, who’s now wearing her headphones. “Daph, go sit with Lola and James.”
With a wave, they’re off.
Matt waits until his sister has her nose buried in her book before he turns to me and takes my hands. “Your palms are sweaty.”
“Iknow. I hate it.” Leg bouncing, I slip out of his grasp.
With a tsk, he snatches my hands again, this time holding them tighter. “You know a little wetness doesn’t bother me, beautiful.” He smirks. “Quite the opposite, actually.”
I make a face. “If you’re trying to turn me onright now,it’s not working.”
That’s a lie. Only because it reminds me of how he made me soak his sheets using two fingers this morning.
I fill my lungs with air and exhale shakily, focusing on the way he massages the back of my hands with his thumbs.
I can do this. I will succeed. And my dad will finally be able to say how proud he is of his only daughter.
“Don’t overthink it, Zoé,” Matt says softly, a phantom caress against my heart. “And if you feel yourself slipping, remember: whatever the outcome, you did your best, and that’s all that matters.”
I nod.
He and my dad couldn’t be more different. All my life, I’ve been pushed to do more. No matter how well I do, my best has never been good enough. What matters to him is winning. Being on top. Losing is for those who don’t put in the hard work.
But Matt sees me for who I am first. In his eyes, my successes and failures don’t define me. To him, they’re experiences that help me grow.
“I needed this more than you know.”
“Are you sure? You don’t have a lot of secrets to hide from me anymore.”
My next words barrel through me at the speed of a bullet, and there’s nothing I can do to stop them. “I like you a lot, Matt.”
His eyes shine, full of warmth. “I like you more.”
“If you’d all take your seats,” Rob says into the mic, startling us. “We’ll start the meeting.”
There’s a low hum in the room as people grab snacks and drinks and get settled.
“Good luck.” Matt bends and places a soft kiss on my cheek that makes me wish for a hundred more.
Then he’s gone, taking his seat next to his sister.
