Page 50 of Hoax and Kisses
It’s only a few seconds, but the heat in his stare coaxes my lips apart.
With an uneven breath, he drags his focus back to Mia, who hasn’t missed a beat of the show he’s just put on.
“Since then,” he continues, his voice husky, “I’ve gotten to know Zoey and her project, and… she’s got something special here.”
He gives me a quick squeeze, and I lean into him on instinct.
“Oh, wow. I didn’t know you two had spent so much time together,” Mia says, eyes wide.
Matt shrugs. “After the meeting, I wanted to apologize for my behavior. One thing led to another, and… Let’s just say I no longer judge a book by its cover. Right, beautiful?”
I flush hard at the sound of the endearing nickname he’s given me. He’s called me that once before. Against a wall. And I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days.
“Right,” I say with a strangled laugh, patting his chest. “We both had some groveling to do.”
He leans in and buries his face in my hair, murmuring, “That’s a nice visual.”
I cough, my cheeks flaming.
“Well,” Mia says, dusting her fingers on her apron. “That certainly wasn’t on my bingo card for tonight. Anything I can get you two before the movie starts?”
“What do you want, Zoey?” Matt’s voice is barely a whisper, so quiet I don’t think Mia heard the question. Like it was meant only for me.
He holds my gaze, and for a moment, I get lost in his. I forget that he’s waiting for my answer. I forget that Mia is waiting for our order. I forget that the movie is starting in a minute.
It’s impossible to think clearly when he’s looking at me like he can’t believe his luck.
Fuck. Scratch him being good at this. He’s lethal.
I glance at the counter full of pastries, at the list of at least a dozen types of hot chocolate and other warm drinks. I’m lost. There are too many options, and I’m suddenly sweating over sweet treats. I don’t usually do this, and as pathetic as it sounds, cookies and hot chocolate aren’t exactly on the menu at investor happy hours or fundraising galas. “I don’t know.” I peer up at Matt. “You choose.”
Brows knitted together, he searches my face. “You sure?”
“Yeah,” I say with a faint stretch of my lips.
With a sigh, like he’s still not convinced but he isn’t going to argue in front of Mia, he scans the display. “Two brownies and two hot chocolates with marshmallows and extra whipped cream, please.”
Mia perks up and snags a pastry box from a stack beside her. “Coming right up.”
She boxes our order and pours the drinks while Matt pays.
“There you go.” She hands me the box, and Matt takes the hot chocolates. The smell is so rich and sweet, it makes my mouth water.
“Thanks, Mia,” Matt says. “See you around.”
Just as we’re turning, Mia calls out. “Oh, Zoey! You should stop by when you have a chance. I’d love to hear more about your plans.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Really?”
“Yeah.” She grins. “Do you know how hard it is to change this guy’s mind? If you’ve done it, then I’m intrigued.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Matt says to Mia, then to me. “Come on. The movie is starting.”
I wave to Mia and follow Matt to our spot. “That went well, I think.”
He sets the hot chocolates down on the blanket. “Yeah. She’s sweet, though. That was an easy win for you.”
He bunches up the blankets to create a bit of cushioning, then gestures for me to sit.
