Page 160 of Pucking Matt
We exchange a quick kiss on the cheek, the scent of her perfume lingering as she pulls away. I watch her walk towards James, her heels clicking against the marble floor, each step taking her further away from me. I feel sad for her, worried that she’ll never know true happiness. It makes sense as to why she’s kept me on a tight string until recently. She’s doing the best that she can with what she knows.
As she disappears through the revolving doors, I'm left standing alone in the lobby, my mind reeling from our conversation. The weight of her expectations, her fears, and her own regrets settle on my shoulders. But beneath it all, I can’t turn away from what I feel for Amber. And I'm not about to let anyone – not even my mom – dictate my future.
Suddenly, a warm hand slides around my bicep, and I look down to find Amber's bright eyes gazing up at me. My heart does a little flip in my chest, the tension from earlier immediately melting away.
“Hey, baby,” I say, unable to keep the smile from my voice.
Amber's attention shifts past me, and she calls out, her voice carrying across the lobby, “Bye, Mrs. Holmes!”
I turn to see my mom pause at the revolving doors. She plasters on a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes as she takes in the sight of Amber tucked under my arm. The contrast between her earlier words and this facade of politeness is jarring.
Pulling Amber closer, I drop a kiss on the top of her head, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo. It grounds me, reminding me of what matters most to me, and it’s this person right here. I lift my free hand to wave goodbye to my mom and James.
Amber tilts her head up at me, her brow furrowing slightly. “You didn't get coffee yet?”
Her question brings me back to the present, and I realize I'm still standing in the same spot, coffee-less and a bit dazed. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafts over from the hotel's Starbucks, making my stomach growl.
“No,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. “Not yet.”
Amber's eyes search mine, and I can see the questions forming. But instead of prying, she just squeezes my arm gently. “Okay. Well, let's fix that.”
As we start walking towards Starbucks, Amber's warm presence at my side, I feel the weight of my mom's words start to lift. Whatever challenges we might face, I know that right here, with Amber, is exactly where I want to be.
After we place our orders and receive our coffees, she says, “Beach walk?”
I agree, following her down the same path as yesterday.
I can't help but steal glances at Amber as we walk. The wind tousles her hair, and the morning light catches the color in her cheeks as she looks at me. It's a moment that is making me wonder how I got so lucky with her.
“So,” Amber starts, her voice playful but with an undercurrent of concern. “What did your mom say?”
I sigh, looking at the sand and realizing there are seashells along the shore. “She told me that you worked on her divorce case.”
She doesn’t agree or disagree. After a moment, she says, “I can’t discuss it.”
I nod. “How long have you known?”
She shakes her head. “I can’t discuss any details with you, okay?”
When I pause and turn to face her fully, she appears to be annoyed.
“I’m not pressing,” I reassure her. “I just thought you could give me a timeframe.” Now my mind is racing. “Did you know at the night of the party? When we danced?”
“Why does it matter?” she asks.
“Because I didn’t know. I only found out last week because Grey finally decided to tell me. So, you must’ve known before then. Did you know this whole time?”
She sighs. “I don’t know why you’re making a big deal–”
“I’m asking you questions. That’s not me making a big deal.”
“Okay,” she says, no longer defensive. “I’m not comfortable talking about work. I’m sorry.”
“You know all the details, don’t you? You know exactly what my mom got out of it. You know what she was trying to get from Jaysen. This is fucked up.”
“I’m a professional, Matt. It’s my job.”
I squat down to pick up a pink and white shell and ask, “Did you want to tell me?”
