Chapter 14
Matt
I’m not sure what’s going on with me. I made a picnic and got to the trails early just so I could potentially run into a woman.
A woman I shouldn’t be focusing on in the first place.
Then I backed down from kissing said woman.
I’ve never backed down from anything, let alone from making a move.
I’ve never waited to kiss a woman, period.
I waited here to see if she would come. What the fuck?
If she didn’t come here, would I have just waited in my car all day? What the hell am I thinking? I’m going insane.
Maybe I should talk to someone. I’m positive I bumped my head and forgot. Now I have compulsive tendencies. That’s the only explanation for my actions right now.
Holding her—not kissing her or fucking her, but holding her —was the highlight of my day.
Being with her makes me feel like a teenager. Literally. We had a food fight for fuck’s sake. She’s completely in the moment, and makes it easy to just be me. I want to be with her more. I can’t explain why; I just need to.
“We made it!” Scarlett exclaims.
“Oh yeah, nice.” I look around like I’m not thinking about my odd choices of the day.
“Nice? It’s beautiful!” She glances at her phone. “That took way longer than I was expecting.”
“Oh, do you need to start heading back?” My face drops.
F or what? Are you meeting someone? Who?
My heart rate picks up and I clench my jaw. I’m getting jealous before I know what her plans are, but any plans not involving me are a major fucking problem.
“Sort of, I need to clean my place. It’s my day off, so I have to get things in order.”
I let out a breath I’d been holding in as my jaw relaxes. “That’s not much of a pressing matter.”
“When else would I do it? I wouldn’t have any time until next week. Plus, I have my own project I need to get started which involves some planning.”
“You like planning, huh?”
“It’s not that I like it, it’s that things go smoother when there’s a schedule. I’m not big on surprises.”
“Surprises are the best.” Not for me, but for most people.
“No, surprises make me have to think about more than I need to. The best thing is to be prepared.”
“How long does it take to clean your place?”
“Most of the day. There’s a specific way to do it so I don’t miss anything. Dust is my biggest enemy.” She huffs.
“I could have a housekeeper come by your place. You could work on your project while they’re there. Then you’d be free tonight.”
“You’re not getting me a housekeeper.” She shakes her head.
“Why not? It’s easy. They’ll come, they’ll clean, they’ll go.”
“No! You can’t get me a housekeeper. We don’t even know each other.”
I’m changing that.
“There’s no reason for you to get a housekeeper for me,” she continues. “I can keep my own house.”
“Okay, I’m going to the movies, and I’d like to take you. The only way you would be comfortable even considering hanging out with me is to have your place cleaned. Problem solved.” I shrug with my hands outstretched.
I was not planning on going to the movies tonight. That came out of nowhere. I do need the chance to do something with her and the old theater downtown popped into my head.
She’s staring at me, considering the idea, biting her bottom lip. “I don’t know. I really need to do some things for work.” She looks away.
“Scarlett, it’s one night. You can do your planning the next night. Or when you get home.”
“Movies? That sounds like a date, Matt.” She blushes, making her look cute. “I mean, Mr. Reding.”
“I told you to call me Matt. I still need to redeem myself from our first meeting. I was supposed to receive a call last night, if I recall.”
“I never said I would call.” She lifts her nose to the moon.
“Scarlett, come on. It’s just a friendly hangout so I can show you how apologetic I am for acting like such an ass.”
“Here’s the deal,” she points at my chest. “I’ll go home and clean, and then I will meet you at the theater.”
Oh, I’ve got her .
“Nope, I’m driving. Where can I pick you up?”
“You’re not driving me.” She shakes her head. “I’ll meet you there.”
“Let me be the gentleman here. I’ll drive.”
“Maybe I’m not looking for a,” she curls her fingers into air quotes, “‘gentleman.’”
“Doubt it. You won’t stop looking at me or leaning into me. Plus, every time I’ve gotten the door or weights for you, you raise your eyebrows like you’re impressed. Tell me I’m wrong and I’ll drop the whole thing.”
She starts turning a deeper shade of red, making an angry face. “The gentleman thing would be true if you didn’t already blow your cover and act like a total butt nugget already.”
She loves bringing that one up. I’ll need to explain what happened that morning.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been called a butt nugget before. I also didn’t hear a denial about you liking it when I act like a gentleman.” I raise my eyebrows. “So...”
Her mouth gapes open.
I need to save myself before she says no. “Alright, I’ll admit I wasn’t myself when we met. I had just received some bad news and was taking it out on you. Which is why I’m trying to make it up to you. Would you please let me?” I plead my case with my best smile, ensuring eye contact between us.
After a long pause followed by a long sigh, she agrees. “Okay, fine.”
Yes!
I’m a collected person. Some might say suave. There’s no way I’m showing her how excited I am to take her out later .
“Let’s get you back to your car, then. You have a busy day ahead of you.” I let a smile escape once my back is to her.