13. Kylie
Chapter 13
Kylie
I ’m still flying high from my lunch date with the Byrne boys. Spending the day with Matt and Liam was everything I didn’t realize I needed until I was with them. Because it's not just about being with Matt, Liam is the sweetest and funniest little boy. He reminds me of a young Matt, and it's amazing to see their relationship.
Matt told me a little about his ex-wife and how she hasn’t paid much attention to her own son even when they were living as a family. It makes me so mad because how could you ignore his sweet little face? My mind is swirling with thoughts of us being a family. I know this is reckless thinking. I just broke off a relationship. How could I jump into something new? And how do I even know he wants that?
It’s not new. And that’s the problem. Nothing about Matt is new. He’s my home.
I hear a knock on my front door and then my sister is walking in before I can even tell her to. I pour the remaining wine from the bottle on my coffee table and wait for the lecture to begin.
“Did you eat dinner?”
“Yes.”
She stands with her hands on her hips and asks accusingly, “You did?”
I sip from my drink, keeping my eyes on her. “Yes.”
“What did you have?”
“Fruit.”
She raises a brow. “Fruit?”
I try to hide my snicker. “Mhm. Grapes actually.”
“What kind of grapes?”
“Crushed grapes.”
She tilts her head, waiting for me to come clean.
“Wine! Okay? I had wine. Lots and lots of wine.” I down the remaining liquid, then twirl my empty glass by the stem.
“And why are we drinking?”
“Because I’m in love with Matt!”
She grins and falls onto the couch next to me. “You never fell out of love with Matt.”
I shake my head. “What do I do now? I don’t know how much longer I can go on being friends. And I think I would die if I saw him date.”
I lift my empty glass to my lips and that’s when my sister takes it from me. “You finished that already.” She places the glass on the table. “He doesn’t want to be just friends with you, Kylie.”
I’m caught off guard, not by what she said, but by how certain she sounds, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “How do you know that? He didn’t want me last time. He hated me so much he never came back to Starlight Bay. It took a death in his family to bring him home.”
“That is not true and you know it. After what I saw today, I’d say it’s just a matter of time.”
“For what?”
“For him to tell you he wants you.” I shake my head, trying to make sense of what she’s saying, but she goes on. “Kylie, he spent the day with you and his son. He should have been working, prepping for the weekend, but you know what he told me? He said he knew something was wrong when you came to the winery this morning, and when you told him about Patrick, he was happy to take you out for some fun.”
“Hm, just fun?”
“Yes, fun, with his son, that you planned, by the way. I mean, open your eyes! The man is still in love with you.”
I lean my head back on the couch, close my eyes, and allow myself to dream of what could be. I feel my sister move from the couch, cover me with a blanket, and kiss my forehead.
“I love you, big sis, and I'm happy that you’re happy.”
I drift into sleep as I hear the front door close and dream about a future with Matt.