Chapter 25 #2
“Forget my big talk. By now, you’ve all probably made your decision.
The reality is, I’ve spent the last three weeks getting to know most of you.
With Matt, I’ve kinda had a crash course in all things Pine Falls.
I’ve seen what makes this town so special, and I recognize the preciousness of its way of life.
When I first came here, I had every intention of doing things differently from my father, but I don’t think I understood how far off the mark he was. ”
I glance at Rosie and Mia in the front row, nerves stirring in my belly.
“You’re doing great,” Rosie mouths.
“I’ve grown attached to this town, its people.
” I can’t help but look at Matt, a flutter rising in my chest. “I like everything about it. Your generosity, your kindness, your patience. Your steadfast support. It’s changed me for the better.
You’ve swept me away with your intensity and passion, and you’ve made me feel so good . ”
Matt’s eyebrows shoot up, his lips curving into that signature half smile that never fails to send a rush of heat to my cheeks.
My pulse skips.
Wait, what?
I replay the last part of that statement, and the blood drains from my face.
A low murmur erupts, spreading through the rows like ripples on water. People shift, glancing at each other, then at Matt.
“No, I—I didn’t mean… that’s not—” Stop stuttering, you idiot, and focus .
I clear my throat, locking in on the doors at the far end of the room, my whole body burning in an inferno of embarrassment. “ People have been so welcoming to me, and I’m in good hands. That’s what I meant.”
A man in the back says, “Yeah, you are,” while another shouts, “Score, Matt!” Then, like cascading dominoes, the entire room bursts into laughter.
My cheeks burn. What I’d give to crawl beneath the floorboards and disappear forever.
Not on my to-do list today? Telling the whole town how well Matt gets me off.
“All right,” Rob says, coming up beside me. “Decorum, please.” He offers me a sympathetic smile. “Thanks, Zoey. That was very… informative.”
I rush down the stairs and take a seat next to the stage.
“As usual,” he continues, “raise your hand if you’re in favor of the hotel project. Keep your hand down if you’re against it.”
My heart hammers in my chest, drowning out all the noise.
“All in favor?”
I close my eyes. I can’t look.
“All against?”
I hold my breath.
“All right. With forty-six yes es and three no s, the hotel project on Emile’s land is approved.”
My heart drops to the floor.
I did it. I can’t believe I fucking did it.
Strong arms lift me, and I’m yanked into a hard chest. I’d recognize his scent anywhere.
“I knew you’d pull it off,” Matt says, his voice muffled by my hair. “I’m so proud of you, beautiful.”
I cling to him. I can’t find it in myself to care that his sister, his friends, and just about every member of this community are watching us. Not when the clarity that washes over me as he cups my face and tilts me to him is more powerful than any rational reasons.
It doesn’t sneak up on me this time. Deep down, I always knew we’d end up there.
Instead, it slowly settles into my bones, taking root in my chest and spreading like vines everywhere his mouth has touched, his fingers have skimmed, his body has embraced, blooming quietly beneath my skin until I can’t deny the truth any longer.
“I don’t want to leave.” I grip his shirt like it’s the only thing keeping me upright. “I don’t want to leave.”
“Then don’t,” he breathes. “Fucking stay with me. Do I need to get on my knees and beg?” He cradles my face, his thumb pushing my lips open.
“Because I will do it right here if that’s what it’ll take.
” His eyes travel between mine, agony dawning in them as the seconds tick by.
“Do you need me to say it now, Zoé? Are we finally at the point where we stop lying to ourselves and to each other?”
The words burst out of me. “ I love you .”
Relief softens his whole face. “Fuck, I love you too.”
His mouth crashes into mine, kissing, nipping, licking, his tongue slipping in to taste me. My hand flattens on his lower back, fingers splaying in a possessive touch as I draw him closer.
My heart races like it’s trying to catch up with his.
He loves me.
Kissing him eases an ache inside me but ignites everything else. It sets me on fire after the relief of his touch. It’s a never-ending, soothing, scorching pleasure. One I’m perfectly content to endure for the rest of my life.
He loves me.
He releases me, panting and laughing breathlessly. I want to capture his magnetic joy so I can show him how easy it is to love him. Keep some for myself when I need brighter days.
“See? That’s the intensity I was talking about earlier,” I tease. “In case you weren’t sure, I was talking about you up there.”
He rests his forehead on mine, a smug grin plastered on his face. “Oh, it was very clear. For everybody. Thank you for the ego boost, by the way.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late for that.” He slips his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Patty already stopped me on my way to you and made a move.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course she did. What did you say?”
He leans in, his nose scraping my cheek. “Told her I was taken by the smoke show over here.”
“That’s right.” I wind my fingers in his hair and brush my lips against his.
When he lets out a strangled groan in response, I beam with satisfaction.
“Matt?”
Matt freezes against me, his body going rigid.
Dread washes over me instantly. What. What is it?
He turns toward the feminine voice, his face falling. “ Mom ?”
“Dad broke his foot while you were on a stopover in Anchorage, and you had to be flown back to Vancouver?” Matt summarizes his mother’s long story as he places cups of coffee in front of his parents.
“Does it hurt?” Daphne asks.
“It’s better now that the doctors have given me a brace,” Mr. Becker replies, pulling up his pant leg to show his daughter.
Matt’s mother—she told me to call her Deb—hasn’t taken her eyes off me since we left the town hall. Her scrutiny is palpable, and I get it. I was glued to her son’s face when she met me for the first time. Great way to introduce myself, that’s for sure.
Hi. Yes, Mrs. Becker, just a second. Let me remove my tongue from your son’s mouth. There. Very nice to meet you.
“You finally listened to your mother, I see,” his mom says.
Matt drawls out a low “ Mom .”
“What? I’m glad you met someone.” She turns to me, her smile pleasant. “It’s been so long since his last girlfriend. I thought I’d never get grandkids.”
Mr. Becker coughs into his coffee cup.
Oh, shit. Okay. No “What is it that you do?” or “How did you guys meet?” or even “What’s your name?” Straight to my uterus and assessing my procreation capabilities, I see.
“Whoa, Mom, hey. This is inappropriate on so many levels. Please don’t say stuff like that.”
“It’s fine.” I lay a hand on Matt’s arm—to his mom’s utter delight. “Although we’re nowhere near that, Deborah.”
“I told you, it’s Deb. And this is Paul.”
Matt’s dad gives me a playful salute, and I chuckle.
“So how was it, Daph, with your brother?” Paul asks. “Do you want to come back with us, or is it better at his place?”
“It was cool. But Matt is my brother, not my parents, and most of my stuff is here.”
Paul smiles softly. “I know, sweetie. I was teasing you.”
“Oh.” She blinks. “Well, you know…”
Her voice fades into the background. All of them do.
Being at Matt’s parents’, in his childhood home, is so strange. But even stranger? Being surrounded by a family in the truest sense of the word.
I watch them as they laugh and talk, Matt and Daphne filling their parents in on the new school, their parents sharing vacation stories.
There’s such a familiarity between them, an easiness that makes me uneasy.
It’s Deb laying a hand on Matt’s bicep as he tells her about Cooper’s fundraiser and the show he gave on stage.
It’s Matt wrapping his arm around his sister’s shoulder as she explains her latest art project in school to their dad.
The love they have for each other is potent, almost tangible. I feel it in the way Paul angles his body toward his daughter because he missed her and in how Matt constantly glances at his mom, ensuring he’s right beside her if she needs any help.
And I stand there, on the outside looking in, as the fantasy plays out. A life I’ve never lived myself but always craved, one foot grazing the threshold of the door.
“Zoé?”
Matt’s voice pulls me back to the kitchen. “Hmm?”
“I’m gonna help my dad get their things out of the car. You okay here?” He rubs my upper arms in a reassuring pattern.
I smile. “Yes. Don’t worry about me.”
He glances at his mom, then ducks in close to me. “Call me if you need me, okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” I insist, patting his arm before he strides away. “Where is Daphne?” I ask Deb as I sit down on one of the kitchen chairs.
“Oh, she went back to her room,” she says, waving vaguely toward the hallway. “She’s such an introverted kid. I can’t keep her here with me for more than five minutes.”
“She’s been away from home for a while now. I’m sure she missed her space and needs a moment to get her bearings.”
Deb shakes her head, her curls bouncing. Her hair is the same shade as Matt’s, though time has threaded hers with silver. With a sigh, she drops into the chair next to me. “I wish she wasn’t so difficult to handle. I’d worry less.”
Rather than let her words rankle me, I pause, collecting myself, remembering all the times Matt has mentioned this type of comment from her. “For what it’s worth,” I start gently, “Daphne was an absolute gem while you guys were gone.”
Would Matt be upset if I went down that road? It’s none of my business, really. But she’s giving me the perfect opportunity. And I can’t ignore it, right? It’s for Daphne’s well-being. Matt would do the same.
“We even took her to Vancouver for a weekend.”