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Matt glared at him, but Darren simply winked back. Chantelle stepped back from the hug and tilted her head back to take in his huge height.
“Matt get into trouble? I thought he was around to keep you in line.”
“Fat chance of that happening.” Cedric said as he moved to stand beside Matt. His expression softened as he looked her over. “Hey, Chantelle.”
“Cedric.” Chantelle stepped over to him and kissed his cheek before embracing him. “You have no idea how good it is to see you again.”
Cedric blushed. Matt expected to feel jealous at having his two friends get Chantelle touching him, and he was still feeling cold.
He stepped forward and drew Chantelle into his arms. She went willingly, her arms going around him as she rested her head against his chest with a sigh. Matt had to fight back a shudder, keeping Chantelle from standing too close. If she did, she would be feeling a lot more than she anticipated.
It seemed like his feelings for her had never really gone away. They were coming back as strong as ever.
“I was going to say the same thing about you.” He murmured, easing her back gently and looking her over. “Although maybe not in this state.”
“What? Oh.” Chantelle looked down at herself and groaned. “It’s pouring like a bitch out there. It would be just my luck that my car breaks down in the rain.”
Matt wasn’t complaining. He didn’t even care that he was wet from holding her. The rain had soaked through her coat and made her sweater cling to her body like a second skin. She still had a fine body, and those breasts had haunted him for years.
Easy there, tiger. Just because you’ve been stood up doesn’t mean she’s going to be automatically replaced.
Staring at the woman he’d desired for so long was not getting him anywhere. Matt also noticed that his friends were staring at him. He coughed and rubbed his tight chest.
“When did you get back to New York? I thought you were in California with Wade.”
Chantelle’s smile flickered and faded. She glanced away.
“I’ve left him.”
It took a few moments for the words to sink in. Cedric frowned.
“You’ve left him? But didn’t you get married a short while ago. We heard about it from your roommates...”
“And I’ve left him. The divorce is happening.” Chantelle frowned. “Wade’s refusing to believe that he’s the reason I walked out, but I’m not backing down. I’m done with him.”
She really had no idea how good that sounded to Matt’s ears. Wade had made it clear Chantelle was his and wouldn’t give her any space. In the end, Matt, Darren and Cedric had simply been forced to step back.
At least Chantelle had finally come to her senses.
“You did the right thing.” Cedric said quietly.
“I hope so.” Chantelle brushed at water droplets trickling down her forehead. “At least with my phone dead, I’m not bombarded with messages saying it’s not over. You have no idea how quiet and refreshing it is to not be told what to do all the time.”
Matt didn’t say anything. He could imagine how someone as confident as Chantelle found being ordered around like she was a slave. Wade was an idiot.
Theo’s voice broke through his daze, and Matt looked up to see Theo leaning on the bar again, giving Chantelle a flirtatious smile as he held out a cell phone and a towel.
“There you go, darling. Once you’ve rung for that mechanic, you can get yourself dried off in the office. I’m sure the bosses wouldn’t mind.”
Matt growled, which made Theo jump. From the way the bartender was looking at Chantelle, he was being more than overly friendly. Darren shot him a look before smiling at Chantelle.
“You don’t need to ring for a mechanic. We can deal with it ourselves.”
Chantelle stared up at him.
“You can?”
Don’t you remember Cedric worked in his dad’s garage business during college?” Darren clapped Cedric on the shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll be able to figure out what’s wrong. We can tow it back to our place and he can have a look.”
Cedric’s face went red, and he shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Sure, I can do that. If you’re okay with it?”
Chantelle didn’t answer for a second. Then she smiled, and Matt felt his chest tightening even more. God, she was beautiful.
You are such a coward.
