20. Annalise #3
“Gods….Gods, Gods, Gods…I kissed Mattey…Fuck! Why didn't I just fake fainting? Spill a drink? Throw a—
"Damn."
The deep voice behind me freezes every muscle in my body.
Turning slowly, I feel as nauseous as I do guilty.
Matt’s leaning against the brick wall with his arms crossed, a wicked grin spread across his face. "Am I really that bad of a kisser?"
"Oh, Gods." My hands immediately fly to my face. "Mattey!"
He pushes off the wall, unable to stop smiling.
"Not that I'd ever imagined that would happen," he says, "but it's a real ego killer to walk outside and find you looking like you're about to puke after kissing me."
"I wasn't—ok, I might be…I kissed my best friend!”
He laughs, which is both horrifying and calming…which doesn’t even make sense!
"You did."
"Mattey, I'm so sorry!"
His teasing expression softens.
"And you know that's not it!" I rush on. "I just... I felt sick lying to you. Like I was tricking you into doing something you'd hate me for just because of the mission."
"Lee." His voice is quiet now. "I know every hair on your head.
" Gently, he takes my hands, pulling them down so I’m no longer covering my face.
"Every nervous tell." A fond smile tugs at his mouth.
"And the Gods know I've seen you dance far too many times not to recognize your moves, even in a crowded bar. "
I blink.
"...You knew?"
"Before you even walked over to me."
"You couldn’t have! How?"
“I’m not telling all my secrets, buuutttt, the first one was the way you roll your wrist when you need a confidence boost.”
"I don’t—"
“You do. It used to be your ankle, but it switched to wrist after I bought you the new bracelet. Obviously, you just like to remind yourself that I’m always with you…even when you’re actively trying to get my attention so you can get your hands on the goods for yourself.”
"I'm never speaking to you again,” I laugh. Pushing him in the chest.
"No?"
"No."
"That's unfortunate."
His arms wrap tightly around me, one hand settling against the back of my head the way they always have whenever I've needed grounding.
Only then do I realize my cheeks are wet.
I'm crying.
When did I start crying?
Matt lets out a quiet laugh.
"Hey."
He squeezes me tighter.
"There's nothing to be sorry for."
I sniff.
"It was honestly entertaining watching you try to act like the girls I usually go out with."
"I was that obvious?"
"Lee..." He chuckles. "You looked like you'd rather kiss Lucas."
A watery laugh escapes me.
"You know there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you." His chin rests lightly against the top of my head. "So if I have to kiss you...or marry you…or whatever other crazy things they come up with, there are far worse people I could end up trapped with."
I shake my head, smiling despite myself.
"But," he adds, trying—and failing—to sound serious, "next time maybe give a guy a little warning before you drag him into a kiss."
I look up.
"I bit my cheek when you caught me off guard."
I burst into laughter.
"You're lying."
"I can prove it."
"Nope."
"I'll show you."
"I believe you!"
He grins victoriously.
"Thought so."
The laughter finally settles.
He tips his head toward the bar.
"So... how'd you get away from Theo?"
"I told him I needed to use the bathroom."
Matt’s laughter is instant. “He’s going to think you're taking the world's worst shit."
I smack his arm. "Mattey! That’s disgusting, and no! I told him I’m on my period.”
“Gods, that might be worse! I’m shocked he hasn’t already blown his cover and called an ambulance thinking you’re bleeding out in there."
“That’s pretty much what I told him would be happening!”
I laugh so hard I double over.
“No…Lee…tell me you didn’t say it was about Crime Week!”
The smile on my face leaves no doubt, my lips stretching toward my ears as I feign an innocent look that I’ve never been able to pull off.
“Oh, that poor, poor man. But at least he won’t be another overbearing set of eyes on you.”
“Awww you finally admit you’re overbearing.” I laugh, pushing my jeans back into the bag.
"See you back at Scion?"
"Message me back when you get to the car."
“Overbearing…” I tease, turning toward the alley entrance.
Three steps.
Four.
"Hey, Lee." I glance over my shoulder. "Catch."
Something small flashes through the air, and I snatch it inches before it smacks me in the face.
Looking down, I see a tiny listening bug resting innocently in my palm.
The one I'd slipped into his pocket.
I lift my gaze.
Matt’s already walking away, hands shoved into his pockets.
"You’ll have to work harder than that if you want to get me," he calls back, and I can hear his unbearably smug grin.
Once more, I look down at the bug in my hand, a slow smile spreading across my face.
It’s the one I planted in his pocket—the decoy. The one he'd assume was the only bug if he caught me. Good. The prototype comm rune hidden beneath his collar, disguised with texture camouflage for the Spell Casters' latest test, worked exactly as intended.
Tucking the recovered bug into my own pocket, I can’t help but smile.
Got you, Mattey.