Matt eyes Oscar suspiciously. “Uh… it does.”
“You seem like the kind of guy who’s had a pretty easy life,” Oscar adds. “According to the theory, that makes you weak.”
Matt cocks a brow. “Well, I suppose I have, if truth be told. How ‘bout you, Oscar? Have you had an easy life?”
“No actually, I haven’t,” Oscar says, dead serious. “I’ve suffered. I’ve seen my whole life fall apart.”
I inch closer, confused. What the hell is he talking about? I’m not sure if he’s kidding or not. Oscar’s had aLeave it to Beaverlife — perfect family, perfect house, friends, summers spent camping. He’s bullshitting Matt.
Matt is speechless for a beat, but recovers quickly enough. “I’m sorry to hear that, Oscar. I guess we all have things in our pasts we’d rather forget,” he adds, and his gaze lingers on mine. My heart speeds to a jog, and his baby blues hold me captive for a second or two.
“Hey, everyone,” Corrie cheers. She’s wearing the most fabulous sparkly silver dress and already has a cocktail in her hand. I’d been so engrossed in Oscar’s and Matt’s discussion, I didn’t even notice her come in.
We hug like junior high girls at camp, and she whispers in my ear, “Who’s the hottie?” I turn to look in the direction her eyes are pointing at. Ugh…
“That’s Matt,” I tell her. “My future brother.”
A wicked smile spreads across her face. “Oh, that’s too bad. I guess he’s off limits… that would be incest.”
I laugh out loud, and it comes out as a cackle. I quickly cover my mouth.
“So he’s available?” she inquires.
“He’s bad news, Corrie,” I warn her. “Total ass.” Corrie knows nothing about my Whaley Wilson days — none of my friends do.
She pouts. “What a shame.”
I watch Matt and try to see him from her point of view. He’s chatting up a small elderly lady — she’s smitten as a bored housewife looking for a little excitement. He’s tall and lean in the most fabulous suit I’ve ever seen. His dirty blond hair is slicked back, and a five-o-clock shadow traces the edges of his strong jaw. But it’s those eyes, those husky dog eyes. Lethal.
I shake my head. Why couldn’t he have gone bald, and gained a hundred pounds. I would have loved that.
He ruins my existence, and still gets to be successful, attractive, and have a great life. It doesn’t seem fair. Where’s karma when you need her?
“So where’s the lucky couple?” Corrie asks. “I haven’t seen your mom. I’m dying to see what she’s wearing. She’s always so fashion-forward.”
I laugh. “Oh, she’s wearing a white pant suit with a deep V cut at the front. Completely age-inappropriate.”
“That sounds like your mom.”
Yep, my mother has always been super slim and delicate, and she can get away with wearing anything, even at her age. I’ve always taken after my dad, a little fuller, curvier. I could never get away with a deep V cut décolletage — my boobs would join the party, invited or not.
And to top it off, Sarah is the spitting image of Mom. I suppose this could have had a little something to do with my eating disorder. That and my dad’s constant teasing. I guess it’s not really fair to blame it all on Matt.
“Oh, there she is,” Corrie says and abandons me. I take the opportunity to raid the apps table again. I watch them in the distance. My mother hugs her tightly, and then she introduces her to Mark. They exchange a stiff handshake. I can’t wait for Corrie’s assessment of the very charming Mark Moore. I pop an olive in my mouth and scan the room. Oscar is chatting up Gabbie and Eli. Matt is just getting away from an elderly gentleman. He spots me and flashes me a smile.
A playful grin traces his lips as he closes the distance between us. “You look even more amazing tonight than you did the last time I saw you.”
“Thank you. Although last time you saw me, I was wearing a parka and was covered from head to toe.”
“Oh, yes. The famous dead battery incident. I’ll never live that one down, will I? I’m still recovering from the shame.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“So how have you been?” he asks. “Are you looking forward to Paris?”
“Very much,” I admit. “You?”
“Very much too,” he says. “Especially the part where I get to take you out to dinner.”
