Page 98 of Hoax and Kisses
“I wish you could kiss me too,” I murmur back, surprised by how easily the words come out.
In the back seat, Daphne stirs, and instantly, Matt slips out of my grasp and reaches for the steering wheel. The cold that seepsinto me lingers in a way I didn’t expect. It shouldn’t bother me, his restraint around his sister, and yet, unease tugs at me. The logical part of my brain understands that whatever’s going on between us isn’t a forever thing and that his priority is to protect the person who matters most to him in the world. Daphne has been through enough.
I understand.I do. So why am I so butt hurt? Why does it bother me so much that he wants to keep me hidden in the dark?
“Are we almost there?” Daphne asks, her voice heavy with sleep.
“In ten minutes.” Matt glances at me. “Are we heading straight to your office afterward?”
“The meeting is at three,” I say, picking at my nails. “We have time to get settled first.”
The thought of being at the head office makes my stomach churn.
Fingers drumming, he nods. “Good, good, good. Gives me a chance to make myself presentable.”
I raise an eyebrow, momentarily forgetting my own worries. “Nervous?”
“A bit, yeah.” He blows out a breath. “I’m not used to fancy meetings in fancy clothes in the big city. Not really my scene. You?”
“Yes,” I exhale. My old life seems so distant now, and diving back into it is like jumping headfirst into cold water.
I want to reach for him, but I rein in the temptation. Instead, I offer him a smile, the kind he likes so much, hoping it’ll ease a few taut muscles. “You’re gonna do great. Corey and Nicole are super sweet. You’ll see.”
We rehearsed last night. I threw all sorts of questions at him. They were tougher than the ones Corey and Nicole will ask, but I want him to be prepared. I briefed him on our very tight interview process and grilled him on numbers and operationalcapabilities. We went over it for hours. By the time we finished, he could nail every answer and give me precise action items he’d implement.
I can confidently say that Daphne’s Wildflowers will be a fantastic addition to our mentorship program.
“And you’ll be staying with Daph the whole time?” he asks, his voice laced with concern.
“I’ll introduce you to the team and make sure you have everything you need, and then yes. I booked a conference room with comfy couches and told Corey to stock it with the treats she likes.”
I turn in my seat and look at Daphne. “We can continue to go over your encyclopedia while we eat chocolates.”
“Maybe the South America section?” She asks with a wide grin.
“Absolutely,” I reply with the same enthusiasm.
I twist back around and find Matt smiling at me.
If it were just the two of us, I’d cup his face, lean over the console, and kiss him softly on each of his cheeks, then his mouth. When I pulled back, I’d say, “I believe in you.” I’d stroke his jaw, giving him back some of the strength he’s imbued in me over the past weeks.
But we’re not alone.
So I just say, “I believe in you.”
And I hope it’s enough to make up for all the things I can’t do.
Chapter Twenty-Two
MATT
“From what I’ve heard, they were impressed,” Zoey says when we step out onto the sidewalk.
As we walk in the direction of our hotel, I fidget with the tiny button that pinches the skin on my neck.
For fuck’s sake. How do men put up with wearing shit like this all day,every day? I can’t breathe.
“You okay?” Zoey asks, frowning.
