Page 34 of Gift of You
How many times have you texted me about a guy?
I let out a disgruntled snort.
Too many to count
Right. And not once have you ever admitted to being scared
I think you’re right. I think this one IS different
The bathroom door opened, and Matthew walked out dressed only in a towel that barely wrapped around his waist. His hair was glistening with moisture from his shower while droplets of water trailed down his chest. I wanted to lick each individual droplet off his body one by one.
“Give me a minute to get dressed and we can head out.”
Unable to form words, I simply nodded and watched as he headed into his bedroom.
I’ve gotta go. He just got out of the shower. We’re going to grab lunch
Good luck!
Keep me posted!
Love you, sis!
Give my namesake a kiss!
Will do! And love you too!
22
MATTHEW
Over beersand burgers at Billy’s Bar and Grill, we chatted companionably about a variety of different topics. Until Louis had showed up in my life this week, I’d forgotten how nice it was to share conversation over a meal. He’d been quiet at the start of our lunch, seemingly lost in his thoughts, but then had opened up once I’d asked to see pictures of his new niece, excitedly flipping his phone around to show me his namesake. From there, we’d discussed his family, his job as a corporate accountant, and all manner of topics encompassing both of our lives. Even after finishing our burgers, we lingered, ordering another round of beers as the conversation continued.
Several times throughout the meal, I’d caught the stares of other folks from town, no doubt curious about the man I’d suddenly taken interest in. I’d ignored their looks, focusing my attention on Louis, determined to let the townspeople come to their own conclusions. Who I fucked—or at this point, was interested in fucking—was certainly none of their business.
“Okay, so what’s your favorite book that you’ve narrated?”
I smirked, squeezing his fingers that he’d laced with mine. “Nice try. I’m not giving away my pseudonym.”
“You’re no fun.” His pout should have been annoying, especially on a forty-two-year-old man, but I couldn’t help but find it adorable. “Don’t you want me to have a way to remember you once I go back to the city?”
The thought of him leaving had my lunch turning to stone in my gut. Not wanting to let it ruin the mood, I deliberately kept my tone light. “You’d forget me so easily?”
His fingers tightened reflexively in my hand, his tone suddenly serious. “Forgetting you would be impossible, Matty.”
His brown eyes flitted between mine, an earnest vulnerability in them I hadn’t seen before. I thought I might like to get lost in those beautiful brown eyes of his.
“Can I get you another round?” My head snapped to the right at the sound of our server’s voice. I’d nearly forgotten we were in a restaurant.
“I think we’ll take our checks.” I glanced at Louis. “Is that good with you?”
“Yep. I’m finished.”
After paying our bill, we stepped back out into the cold winter air. The wind from this morning had ushered in another snow shower, and big fat flakes swirled and fell all around us like confetti in a Super Bowl parade. Louis gave a violent shiver, hunching down into his coat.
“Come on. Let’s get you a beanie.”
I pulled him down the street, stopping at the five-and-dime on the corner half a block from the bookstore. We were met with a blast of warm air upon entering, which was much welcome after the blustery cold outside.
