Chapter Twenty
As the end credits rolled, Robyn extricated her legs from where they were curled around Matt’s as they lay on the sofa and sat up sleepily.
“Do you need a nap?” Matt asked, rubbing her back gently, “You’re still getting over that nasty illness.”
“Um maybe, I wonder if it’s time for that talk first? I mean, could we get it out of the way? I know we’ve agreed we’re officially dating, but I still think there are things we need to say.”
“Er, sure,” Matt looked rather fearful and Robyn kissed his cheek in reassurance.
“Do you want to start?” Robyn asked. He clearly didn’t, but she was keen to hear what he had to say before stating her own piece.
“Er, yep, yeah, well cards on the table, Ruby, I love you, more than as a best friend. I love you in the way that makes the hairs on my arms stand on end when I’m near you, when even if I’m not with you I’m constantly thinking about the next time I will be,” he blushed and she rested her hand at the nape of his neck and ruffled the soft, newly-cut hairs there. “That’s a bit of a distraction, a good one, but, ah, I want you, Robyn, in every way. Goodness knows why you’d want me, a decade behind in getting any experience on that front. I know I pretended I’d had a relationship with a flatmate when I was away that year in college, but it may have been, ah, a slight exaggeration. A bit of jealousy on my part that you were dating that biker.”
“I guessed, I knew you were just bigging it up at the time,” Robyn smiled, “and you really had nothing to worry about, you know? The bike was his dad’s and he was a trainee accountant called Geoff for goodness sakes!”
They laughed lightly and leaned into each other for a soft kiss.
“How about you?” Matt asked, his hand shaking slightly as he cupped her face briefly, stroking her cheek before moving away to let her have the space to think clearly and speak openly.
“Well, I definitely want to see what a romantic relationship between us would be like – so far so good today – it’s just that…”
“Go on, please, I want you to be honest, to feel comfortable enough to always tell me the truth.”
“Okay, well it’s just that I’d like to slow things down. We’ve done a great job of that today, I think. When you asked me out on a date, I’ll admit I was so relieved that we seem to be on the same page. I think what with the circumstances of your dad’s return and everything, we just dived into too much, too soon. It doesn’t help that we already live together… which is why it meant so much to me when you made a point of collecting me for our date earlier. I want to date you and explore these new feelings slowly. Would you be on board with that?”
“Absolutely,” Matt let out a slow breath as she snuggled into his side, encouraging her to lay her head on his shoulder, ”Absolutely Rubes, I know we’re at the age a lot of our friends are getting married or starting families, but I’d like to see how this, this ‘us’, develops at a natural pace. I’m in no rush.”
“I still want the kissing, though, and the cuddles, and whatever happens naturally without it being just because we live together or are lonely or worried about Dennis.” A small frown marred her forehead.
“Understood,” he stroked the lines away and kissed her hair gently.
“I mean, there’s definitely chemistry,” Robyn grinned up at him, but before he could capture her lips in a kiss, her eyes clouded over with something sadder, “but there’s one last point I’ve got to mention.”
“Of course, keep talking.”
“Ah, well you know when Jenna and Nick were here for Sunday lunch and talking about their travel plans?”
Matt didn’t understand where this was going, but he nodded anyway.
“Well, I want you to know that didn’t appeal to me in the slightest, Matty. I’ve finally realised that I simply have no desire to pursue any type of singing career that doesn’t start and end right here in Oakley. I’m a homebody, always have been, and I certainly haven’t been bitten by the travel bug just because I can hold a note.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Very sure. So please stop trying to get me to move on, or worrying that you’re holding me back. You may well be the thread that’s keeping my heart here, but there are other factors at play too, like I just don’t want to be anywhere else!”
“Message received and understood,” he breathed a sigh of relief, glad they’d clarified things without either of them getting upset again. Like adults, he thought to himself. “I know I have a lot to learn, so please guide me whenever I mess up again, because I will.”
“You’re so sweet, so good to me,” Robyn took his face between both her hands and ran her thumbs over his cheekbones, “now kiss me, Boyfriend, there’s been enough talking for one day.”