He chuckled as he moved toward the orange juice, remembering how he felt faint at the sight of his own blood. Apparently, that was different from that one time … no wait, he’d promised Olivia he wouldn’t speak of it again.
Matt looked over the orange juice choices, deciding to go with just regular pulp since he didn’t know how Rosie felt about it. He could text her, but she seemed to be in so much pain he hated to bother her. Olivia had never had cramps that doubled her over that he remembered. It didn’t seem normal.
And she’dworkedlike that? His angel was ridiculously strong. Remembering her ginger tea was low, he pored over the boxes of tea till his eyes crossed trying to find the right brand and flavor. Finally, he spied a ginger flavor on the bottom shelf, almost out of sight behind boxes labeledSleepytimeandBlueberry Fields.
Matt got to the cashier just as his phone pinged to let him know their breakfast order was ready. He was out the door quickly thanks to no one else in line and headed to Stacey’s. The little brick building even had a drive-through window, so he was on his way back to Rosie in record time.
He huffed and puffed up the three flights to Rosie’s floor, his arms laden with food. Carefully balancing everything in one hand, he opened the door and schlepped everything inside. Rosie got up from the couch to shut and lock her door, then came around to the dining room table where he set out their breakfast, the cupcakes, and juice. She picked up the box of teabags before he could put it in the cupboard.
“You bought me more tea?”
Matt scratched at the back of his head. “You only had a couple bags left, and I didn’t want you to run out. If you don’t like that brand, I can take it back. I couldn’t find yours.” Her face turned red, and tears welled up in her eyes. “No, Rosie don’t cry. It’s no big deal, I can take it back to the store.”
He moved to take the box from her, but she snatched it away. “Don’t you dare. That’s the sweetest thing …” She wrapped her arms around him then and buried her face in his chest. Understanding dawned and Matt embraced her back, a small smile on his lips. Rosie sniffed. “Sorry. It’s the hormones.”
“That’s okay, I thought I messed up.” It wouldn’t be the first time a woman on her period had got weepy on him. He breathed in her fresh, clean scent and sighed. “As much as I’m enjoying this, maybe we should eat before the food gets cold.”
“Oh!” She pulled away, and his arms mourned the loss.
Pulling out a chair, he gestured for her to sit down. “Tell me where your glasses are, and I’ll pour the juice.”
She pointed at the cupboard by the sink, and he pulled down two glasses to pour their drinks; Stacey’s had included napkins and plastic silverware with their order.
Matt devoured his omelet, trying to keep his cock from reacting to Rosie’s moans of delight over her pancakes.Down, boy.
For a first date, Rosie thought this was pretty awesome. Matt had hit the nail on the head with this restaurant.He’s going into the food industry; I shouldn’t be surprised.
He had to be the most thoughtful guy she’d ever met, save for her Grandad. They talked about their jobs over breakfast, and the conversation came around to the tournament once more.
“I thought we did really well. Especially since I was such a newbie. I’m sorry you were so disappointed.”
Matt chuckled. “That had nothing to do with why I was upset.”
Rosie furrowed her brow, remembering what Olivia had said at girls’ night the next week. “Oh right, Olivia said you were upset that Keith wasn’t focusing on the game and was … talking to me so much.” She hesitated to say flirting. It had been obvious that’s what he was doing, but it didn’t seem right to bring it up on a first date.
“I lied.” Matt reached over and took her hand in his, their containers empty on the table. “I was upset because I thought you were enjoying his attention. But then Mia told me you weren’t, and Keith told me about how you turned him down afterwards. And I realized how wrong I’d been, and I felt awful. Istillfeel awful thinking about that night.”
“It’s kind of a funny misunderstanding, now.”
He squeezed her hand. “Yeah, it is.” A pause, and then, “Evan asked if you were my girlfriend when he heard about it.”
Rosie licked her lips, heart thrilling. “What did you tell him?”
“Well, I had to tell him you weren’t.” He squeezed her hand again, speaking softly. “But maybe, next time, I can tell him you are?” He ducked his head, his bright, glossy gaze flicking back and forth between where their hands connected and her face.
She bit her lip shyly as her heartbeat sped up. “I’d like that,” she agreed, and rose to take care of the clean-up before Matt could protest. Checking the time on her microwave, Rosie took stock of herself. The medicine and tea had done their jobs, and she was feeling much better. She was still a bit tired, but she could sit through an episode or two of a show, if Matt wanted to.
“Do you want to watch something?” Most of their time together, he’d spent getting the food, and she didn’t want him to leave yet.
“I’d love to. But I wasn’t sure when you’d need to go to bed.”
“I can stay up; I have the next four days off.” She led the way to her couch, Matt not far behind her.
“What do you like to watch?” He asked, sitting down next to her, and throwing his arm across the back of the couch.
“Well, I likeThe Mandalorian, Doctor Who,and … don’t laugh.”
“Why would I laugh?”
