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“Practicallyeverything, Matty.”
He arches a teasing brow. “Your time in the city is most definitely life-changing in more ways than one.”
At the blank look on my face, he leans closer with a wink. “You’ve developed an interest in older men, from the looks of things.”
He laughs when my cheeks flush bright red. “Good thing I know you’re not interested in settling down, 'cause Vaughn Burton is the heartbreaker type, that’s for sure.”
My stomach dips as Matt continues with a chuckle. “But there’s nothing wrong with a little fling, am I right?”
I’m interrupted from answering when our server appears.
“May I take your order?”
Matt turns his now smiling face up toward the pretty server, his handsome grin making her cheeks pinken. “We’ll share the lobster tacos and edamame dumplings.”
His gaze drops to mine. “You want to get the tempura shrimp too?”
“Actually, I wanted to try the salmon entrée.”
Matt’s brow furrows in genuine confusion. “But we always share, Neve.”
His voice is small, plucking at the strings of my conscience, and I chew my bottom lip as indecision rolls through me as Matt’s cell begins to ring.
His cheeks flame when he sees the caller, and he mumbles an expletive before turning his gaze to mine.
“I’ve gotta take this, Wren.”
Then he flicks a glance at the server. “I’ll have whatever she’s having.”
He rises swiftly and makes for the bar area, answering the call as he goes with a sharp, “What?”
Our server looks at me with wide eyes. “The salmon, yes?”
I nod with a wilted smile on my mouth. “For both of us, thank you.”
“And to drink?”
“Two sparkling waters, please.”
She leaves with a small nod as my cell vibrates with a text.
VAUGHN
I won’t be long. Leave those heels on.
I shake my head as my lips raise in an utterly shit-eating grin, willing the food to come faster.
Matt returns to the table with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Wren. Like I said…Mom isn’t doing the greatest.”
I tilt my head in sympathy, reaching my hand across the table to squeeze his. “I’m so sorry, Matt. I kinda get what you mean, though.”
His brows furrow. “What do you mean? Your mom is on vacation. Feels like mine has…” He trails off, and his lips curl down. “It feels like she’s checked out entirely.”
I chew my bottom lip, debating whether to voice my miffed feelings or not, before realizing it’sMatty, and who better to talk about this with?
“Idounderstand, though. Mom could have returned home atanytime, but she didn’t. She’schoosingto stay away, you know?”
I shrug, suddenly feeling hugely vulnerable. “I just miss her, that’s all.”
