“Close, you’re thinking of knitting. Crochet is similar, but you only have one hook.” I’ve already let my mind wander off again. “Do you know those guys?” He follows my gaze toward the table with Matthias and Aaron.
“Sort of. They’re friends of a friend.”
“Did you want to say hi?” He pulls his hand off my knee. Honestly, I forgot he had it there. That’s a bad sign for our compatibility, right? If a guy I find attractive is touching me, shouldn’t I be more aware of it? Or at least notice? I’d been hyperaware of Nathan’s leg pressed against mine when we were here. “I think they’re coming over to talk to you.”
He’s right; they’re walking directly toward us at the bar. Matthias stands towering over me. Damn, the man is tall. “I need to speak to you for a moment.” It’s not a question. I give Oliver a pleading look, but he waves me off and smiles.
“Go ahead. I’ll be here.”Traitor. I get up and follow Matthias a few steps away.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Um, hanging out?”
“Are you here on adate?” He stresses the word date.
“Sort of?” At this point, I’m not sure what exactly it is. That’s not true. I think Oliver’s here on a date. It’s me who’s a bit confused.
“So, what? You woke up and decided to parade your dates in front of Nathan? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I wasn’t parading anyone. This is the only place I know to suggest. I didn’t plan for you guys to be here, too. Besides, what’s the big deal anyway?” So I went on a date in general proximity to Nathan. What the hell did these guys care? “Where’s Nathan?”If I can talk to my friend, I’m sure we can work out whatever miscommunication is happening.
“He left.” I look around again and confirm his statement.
“How come?”
“What do you think?”
“I—” I don’t know what I think. Nathan got upset seeing me out on a date?
“Matthias, let’s go.” Aaron pulls on his friend’s arm.
“Do not hurt my friend.” Matthias leans down and whispers the words in my ear. Aaron looks concerned but doesn’t say anything else. He pulls his friend away. Oliver’s standing near the bar, wringing his hands together and looking confused. This poor guy will tell all his friends what a miserable date I am.
“I think I should go.” I don’t know what’s happening right now, but I know I can’t be a good date.
“Sorry?”
“Why are you sorry?”
“I’m not sure exactly; it felt like the right thing to say.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I think things are more complicated than I thought they were.” I’m still not sure why, though. A giddy part of me wants to believe it’s because Nathan still has a crush on me from all those years ago.
“Isn’t that always how it works out?”
“I’d like us to stay in touch and maybe be friends. I know you didn’t come out tonight to make a friend, but it’s all I can offer now.” If there’s any chance I can be with Nathan, I have to play the scenario out, even if the chance is minuscule.
“I’d like that. It’s hard to make friends in your thirties, and everyone already has these big groups that are hard to slot into.”
“I’ll text you.” I start out the door and turn back. “Seriously. I’m not just saying that to be nice.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” I may not have everything figured out, but I’m not a total asshole. However, something tells me Matthias would beg to differ on that one.
Chapter Ten
COLT
I don’t know why,but it’s weird showing up at Nathan’s house. Okay, I do know why. I can’t stop thinking about the conversation I had with Matthias. Conversation might be a bit of a stretch, but the words sit heavy on my chest. Clearly, he has information about Nathan, but I don’t. If Nathan left because I was on a date, then he had to have some feelings for me.
