Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Matthew watched from the safety of the booth as Finn stopped next to Winnie. She looked up at him in surprise, a hesitant smile on her lips before he pointed to the lads. Her eyes fell on Matthew, and she visibly relaxed.
She raised her hand in a wave, and Matthew awkwardly responded with a wave of his own.
Finn said something to her, no doubt inviting her to join them, but she shook her head, obviously declining. Another moment passed by, however, and Finn apparently convinced her as Winnie gathered her bag, phone, and drink and followed Finn toward the booth.
“If you guys utter so much as a word about my supposed attraction to her…” Matthew began through gritted teeth to Graham and Cedric, but he couldn’t finish his threat as Finn and Winnie arrived that very moment.
“Hey,” he greeted, shooting a look at Finn that said, “I’ll get you for this later.”
Finn didn’t see, too busy retrieving an unused chair from a nearby table.
“Hi,” Winnie said in return, looking at the others with uncertainty. “Sorry to interrupt, but your friend here was adamant. ”
Finn returned with the chair, sliding it in for her as she took her seat at the head of the table, diagonal from Matthew. Her knee bumped against his leg, and he shifted away at once, shaking out the warmth shooting up his limb.
“You’re not interruptin’,” Finn said. “Is she, Matt?”
Matthew shook his head at once. “Not at all. I was going to invite you before Finn rushed ahead.”
That seemed to ease her discomfort. Unfortunately, his only grew as his friends exchanged knowing looks at his lie.
“So,” she said, looking around the table, “I take it these are your friends.”
Matthew gave his head a little shake to pull out of his stupor. Where were his manners? “Yes, you’ve met Finn already. But this is Graham and Cedric. Boys, Winnie Knox.”
Nods and “Hiyas” were shared as Winnie smiled in response. “So you’re the ones who pulled Matthew away from practicing his jousting the last few days,” she said with no hint of malice.
“Sorry about that,” Graham said to her. “We told Matt to practice still so we could watch him joust from the sidelines, but he wouldn’t allow it.”
“I didn’t want to deal with your heckling,” Matthew retorted.
“What?” Graham asked with innocence. “Heckle? Us?”
The waiter returned then, interrupting their conversation to ask for their orders.
As the others shared what food they wished, Winnie leaned toward Matthew. “I really don’t have to stay. He just insisted…”
But Matthew shook his head. “You don’t need to worry. We’re glad to have the company.”
Cedric, who sat beside Matthew, nodded in agreement. “So long as you don’t order a salad for supper. That doesn’t belong at our table.”
Matthew was about to explain that Cedric was joking, but Winnie smiled straightaway. “You don’t have to worry about that. I already ordered a steak. ”
“Ah, that’s what Matt was orderin’,” Cedric said. “Two peas in a pod, you are.”
Fortunately, the waiter asked Matthew what he wanted right then, so no awkwardness was allowed to linger. Though, he would be adding Cedric to the conversation he was planning on holding with Finn immediately following dinner.
After the orders were placed, the five of them sat in silence for only a few seconds. Fortunately, despite Matthew being annoyed with his friends, he knew he could count on them to keep the conversation going when his brain refused to work.
He wasn’t used to being like this near Winnie, lacking in all confidence. He far preferred it the other way around, but having his friends there just unnerved him.
“So we saw the car you drive,” Finn said to her, leaning back against the booth. He sat across from Matthew, diagonal from Winnie’s other side. “Aston Martins are gorgeous cars.”
She nodded. “They really are. Unfortunately, it’s just a rental, though.”
“Still,” Graham added, “it must be fun to drive.”
“Especially compared to the ridiculous beater Matthew forced us into today,” Cedric said.
“Ah, the old Mini Cooper?” Winnie asked.
How had she known that was his?
“Yes,” Cedric continued. “I still can’t understand why we had to drive that lemon here when I’ve got a Tesla to enjoy.”
“Because you need to keep yourself humble with the rest of us in the real world, Ced, that’s why,” Matthew retorted.
“Says the man who lives in a castle,” Winnie said.
The boys raised their glasses in cheers and laughter, but Winnie’s bright eyes focused solely on Matthew. He had no retort, too distracted by the way she glowed in the temperate light of the dark-walled pub. Her lips were a warm shade of red, and her gray eyes glimmered.
She was in a happy mood tonight. No doubt trying to win over his friends, just as she had his sister and parents. Just as she had him when he’d helped her from the mud.
What would have happened between them had Dad placed her over Foxwood instead of the festival? Would they have been friends? Or would they have found something else between them?
“So,” Winnie began, pulling his attention away from his dangerously straying thoughts, “I hear you boys ran a charity run today.”
“Yep,” Graham said. “Cedric here won, despite pulling his hamstring a few months ago.”
Winnie’s brow rose. “Well, that sounds painful.” She gave a little laugh as Cedric shrugged. “But congratulations all the same.”
“And Matthew here nearly lost to a few elderly folk,” Finn added.
Thanks, Finn.
“Well done to you, as well,” she said with a teasing smile at Matthew. “Was this your guys’ first, or…”
“No, we run every year as an excuse to get together and participate for charity,” Cedric said. “The hosting individual is in charge of finding the charity run.”
“Oh, I love that idea,” she said.
“Do you run, Winnie?” Graham asked.
Matthew sat back in silence. He wasn’t doing much speaking. He was far too on edge, wondering what teasing comment would come next from his friends to make Winnie even more confident than him that evening.
“Oh, just for exercise,” she responded. “I’ve never really had time to train for a marathon or anything like that.”
Too busy with work. Was that why she didn’t have time to ride any longer, too?
She glanced at Matthew as if she’d heard his thoughts, then looked to Cedric. “So how did you all come up with the charity run idea?”
“It was Cedric,” Finn explained. “None of the rest of us can keep up with him, but he insists on keepin’ it going twice a year.” He leaned closer to Winnie, and Matthew’s eye shifted to watch his friend more carefully. “He plays for the Premier League, so he does. Finest striker there is.”
“Premier League…I assume you’re talking about soccer?” she asked. “Or football, I guess?”
The men nodded.
“The real football,” Cedric added.
Winnie grinned. “Don’t let my brothers hear you say that. They both played in high school and have the concussions to prove it.”
More laughter sounded. Even Matthew cracked a smile this time.
“So what’s the equivalent of the Premier League in the States?” she asked next.
“Probably the NFL,” Cedric responded.
Her brow rose. “Oh, wow. So you’re, like, famous here?”
Cedric shrugged humbly again. “Moreso in Wales. That’s where I’m from, see. But in most circles I don’t get recognized.”
Graham scoffed. “Everywhere we go, he gets stopped. He was busy signing Habergham shirts at the charity run.”
“Blessin’ seniors,” Finn teased, “kissin’ babies. It’s a hard life, so it is.”
Winnie laughed. Had Matthew imagined her eyes lingering on Finn?
“So you play football,” she said, pointing to Cedric. “And Matthew jousts. What do the rest of you do?”
“I lead bus tours ’round Norn Iron ,” Finn said.
Winnie narrowed her eyes. “Around where, sorry?”
“Northern Ireland,” Matthew translated.
“Ah, of course.” She looked back to Finn. “That’s where you’re from, then?”
“Right you are,” Finn replied.
“I love your accent, but I’ll be honest…” She paused with a wince. “I’m only catching about a tenth of what you’re saying. ”
The group laughed.
“Join the club,” Graham quipped.
“Sorry,” Winnie said with a sheepish grin.
“Ah, no bother,” Finn said with a wave of his hand. “Half o’ what I say isn’t important anyway.”
Then he winked at her again.
Matthew shook his head. What was with these guys? Were they each going to take their turns flirting with the woman? He obviously didn’t have any claim over her, but still. They could have a little decorum.
“And you enjoy leading tours?” she asked, her eyes taking on that same light of interest she had while staring at Cedric.
Looking . Looking at Cedric. Just as she was looking at Finn.
“Aye, it’s a craic every time, so it is,” Finn said. “I get to sing, share me knowledge of Norn Iron , tell tales, and?—”
“Be the center of attention,” Matthew finished, “which is your favorite thing to do.”
That wasn’t super nice of him to say, but the lads laughed anyway. Finn flashed him a grin. “Matthew’s only jealous I can capture people’s attention so well. Most people fall asleep the second he starts to drone on about history. I’m sure you’ve been a victim o’ that, Winnie.”
Winnie made the motion of zipping her lips, and his friends laughed again.
“And you, Graham?” she asked next. “What do you do?”
“A bit of everythin’, really,” Graham responded. “Skydivin’ instructor, bagpiper. Overseein’ the Highland Games in my hometown. I just go for whatever strikes my fancy at the time.”
“I love that,” she responded, her smile warm. “Being able to do everything that you want to. It sounds like a dream.”
“It certainly keeps me occupied,” Graham returned.
“That’s enough about us, though,” Finn said as a lull in the conversation returned. “Matthew says you’re a consultant?”
Winnie waved a passive hand in front of her. “Oh, we don’t need to talk about that. Besides, I’m sure you’ve already heard an earful about how I’m ruining his festival.”
Matthew shifted in his seat uncomfortably as his friends exchanged looks and mumbled weak words in the contrary.
Winnie smiled. “It’s okay. You don’t have to lie for him. I’m used to his fussy ways by now.”
Matthew frowned. Fussy? He wasn’t fussy.
“I don’t know how you could be used to it already,” Finn said. “He was impossible at college. How do you manage workin’ with him?”
She smiled at Finn again. What would it take for Matthew to receive those lingering, impressed, interested eyes like she had with the others?
“Oh, we manage just fine,” she answered. “I think our working relationship has gotten much better ever since we’ve acknowledged the fact that he doesn’t like me. Wouldn’t you say, Matthew?”
Her eyes finally met his. And yet, the minute they did, he wanted them off of him. They were reading him too directly.
He opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out, words failing him yet again, so he took a sip of his drink instead.
“Come on, Matt,” Graham said. “Where are those knightly manners you’re always boasting of?”
“Wasted on you lot,” Matthew returned.
He was sounding like a right pompous lout tonight. But he couldn’t help it. He was just in a mood, and that mood was annoyed.
Annoyed that he wasn’t as confident around Winnie as he had been before. Annoyed that his friends had invited her over. Annoyed that he wasn’t getting the attention he wanted from a woman he shouldn’t want attention from at all.
“See?” Winnie said. “He doesn’t like me.”
Her eyes remained on him for a minute before shifting to his friends, whom she asked more questions to as Matthew stared at his drink, basically pouting at the bubbles sliding up the glass .
Yes, he was annoyed at a lot of things. But more than anything, he was annoyed that he couldn’t contradict Winnie’s words. Because truth be told, despite everything they’d been through, he did like her.
He liked her too much.
But admitting that aloud, what can of worms would that open?
He knew it was far better to stay silent.
So why didn’t he feel better?
Winnie had never experienced a more delightful meal in her life. All of her business dinners in New York City had centered around, well, business. All small talk, all boring plans, rigid and dull. Her family dinners were even worse with words of accomplishments as her siblings one-upped each other.
But here, the conversation was entertaining, the food delicious, and the company an utter delight. Not only had she found her confidence around Matthew again, but she was genuinely enjoying her time with his friends.
As for Matthew, she had finally managed to coax him slightly from his shell. She still wasn’t exactly sure why he’d retreated so much in the first place, falling silent and appearing so discomfited, but she didn’t mind. After all, she enjoyed the payback she was now receiving after how uncomfortable he’d made her while speaking with her family.
With their meals delivered and drinks refilled, their conversations moved from subject to subject, starting with the charity run, circling around their jobs again, then shifting to their time at Eton, the boarding school they’d met at when they were all fifteen.
“What are the chances that the four of you would meet from all different countries, then end up as friends?” she asked, looking between them all.
“It’s not that surprisin’,” Finn said with that same teasing smile on his lips. “We were very exclusive. Stopped others from joinin’, so we did. Once we had one from each country, we put a cap on our group.”
“Yeah, we asked everyone where they were from,” Graham jumped in, playing along.
“‘You’re from England?’” Cedric roleplayed.
“‘Nope, you’re out,’” Finn continued. “‘We’ve already got one o’ them.’”
The men laughed, and Winnie joined in. “Sorry, but there’s no way I’d believe that any of you are the type to exclude others.” She paused. “Matthew, though…”
They laughed as Matthew frowned at her, though not as deeply as he had before.
Winnie couldn’t deny that she’d been slightly offended when he hadn’t refuted her comment about him disliking her. The news came as no surprise, though, so she was doing her best to pretend like she hadn’t been hurt by it.
“I’m the most inclusive of them all,” Matthew said, drawing her focus back to him. “Look at all the rubbish I have to deal with here.”
“Yeah, but you wouldn’t be without us,” Finn said.
Matthew snorted in protest. “I almost didn’t graduate because of you lot.” He shifted his attention to Winnie. “I was the only one who did any schooling whilst at Eton, and I basically tutored each of them in every single subject.”
“Yes, like a good little mummy,” Finn teased. “Makin’ sure we did our schoolwork, makin’ sure we got in before curfew, makin’ sure our lights were out at nine o’clock.”
“How else could I get the sleep I needed?” Matthew questioned. “Studies show if you receive a solid?—”
“Yes, we’ve heard it before, Matthew,” Graham said with a roll of his eyes. “All through college. ”
Winnie laughed. “So how long were you at Eton?”
To her delight, Matthew was the one to respond—although he’d only done so since his friends were all taking bites of their food. “I was there until I graduated at eighteen. Graham, as well. Cedric left after two years, and Finn, one.”
“You were only there together for one year?” she asked.
The four of them nodded.
“It would’ve been longer had Finn not gotten kicked out,” Graham explained.
Winnie laughed in surprise. “What on earth got you kicked out?”
Finn flashed a grin—that same, harmless, flirtatious one he’d been sharing with her all night. “Fraternizin’ with the ladies.”
Matthew rolled his eyes.
“How did you manage that?” she asked. “Isn’t Eton an all-boys college?”
“It is until you help sneak a few girls in,” Cedric said. “Right, Finn?”
The men laughed, and Matthew cracked another smile.
The conversation continued, as did Winnie’s laughter as they recounted their school days and beyond. All too swiftly, though, the evening wound down, and her time with the friends came to an end.
She leaned back in her chair with a sigh. “Well, boys, I’d love to stay and chat more, but unfortunately, I have work to do.”
“On a Saturday night?” Finn questioned, turning to Matthew. “What kind of ship are you runnin’ here, mate?”
Matthew held up his hands. “She makes her own schedule. And ours beside.”
Winnie delivered a pointed smile. “Yes, and I work late into the night so you guys don’t have to.”
Another lingering look passed between them before she scooted back in her chair. “Thanks again for letting me join you all tonight. I haven’t had this much fun in a really long time.”
His friends expressed the same sentiment as she stood and gathered her things. “Good luck on prepping for your next charity run,” she said with a smile.
“If you find yourself in Norn Iron , feel free to join us,” Finn said with another wink.
“I will,” she said with a laugh. “Goodnight, guys.” Then she turned to Matthew. “See you Monday.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I’ll see you.”
Or at least, that’s what she thought he’d said. She wasn’t exactly sure, as it all tumbled out of his mouth at once.
After another wave goodbye, she sidestepped her way through the crowds of the pub, leaving the warm atmosphere for the cool air outside. She rooted around in her purse for the rental car’s keys, still smiling to herself at the memory of the evening.
“Winnie?”
She paused, whirling around in surprise. “Matthew?”
He walked toward her, his hands in his pockets as he approached, a curl blowing across his brow in the soft breeze. “I just wanted to make sure you got to your car safely.” He motioned over his shoulder. “The lads wouldn’t lay off until I did.”
She smiled. “That’s nice of you guys. But I’m all right.” She tossed her head toward her car she stood in front of. “I made it.”
He nodded, looking away. “Right. Well, have a good night.”
He began to walk away, then paused. She watched him with amusement. “You all right?”
Matthew looked up at her in surprise, as if he didn’t know she still stood there. “What? Oh, yeah.” He turned to face her more fully. “I just…I wanted to say, I like you.”
Winnie paused. What? He liked her? Like, liked , liked her?
“You mentioned to my friends that I didn’t,” he said. “So I just wanted to clear the air. I like you, you know, as a person. You’re all right.”
Disappointment settled on her chest, heavy and thick, like hot tar pressed onto a fractured road. So. She was all right . That made her feel…feel what, exactly? Why had he even felt the need to tell he r as much? Because he felt bad about saying nothing before or because his friends had told him to be nicer?
Either way, she hardly felt better.
“I was only kidding,” she said, trying to blow off her own embarrassment. “I didn’t expect you to answer me or anything.”
“I know,” he said, his eyes lingering.
Those blue crystals captured in the light of the streetlamp above connected with her in a way that made her hope that maybe…maybe he did feel something more. That maybe he was out there because he wanted to be truthful about his feelings.
“Okay,” she said simply, hoping he’d say more.
Instead, he turned away. “Anyway, I just wanted to clear the air while I could. You know, in case you leave Foxwood early.”
Winnie’s heart dropped, and she chastised herself for allowing it to lift in the first place. He still expected her to leave early, then, to fail the festival altogether.
“Well, thanks, I guess,” she said, unable to come up with anything else.
He nodded, then left in silence toward the pub.
Winnie stared after him for a moment, then unlocked the rental, all the while telling herself she should be glad that he liked her as a business associate and only that.
But for some reason, she couldn’t convince herself that it was a good thing at all.