42 - Jessica

Jessica

Spencer isn't much of a talker. The only time he ever did talk was when he was giving us a tour of the apartments.

How are he and Nathan related?

Nathan can be a little bossy but in a friendly kind of way. Spencer, though, is just straight-up bossy. Borderline cold. However, I can see why Cade likes him and his brothers.

He talked with Matthew a few times, but I couldn't hear half of their conversation. Matthew usually just sort of translates what half-murmured thing he said. Sometimes, I'd hear Matthew chuckle softly but couldn't tell if there were any jokes between them.

Good thing, I had a piece of Matthew's peach cobbler to go. Plus, we got smoothies on the way to the third apartment building. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's trying to keep my mouth shut with all this food.

"Jessica," Matthew called out, snapping me out of thoughts. "You have to see the bedroom."

I walked across the empty kitchen area that I was daydreaming about and sashayed my way to the bedroom. I gasped at the sight of the balcony overlooking the city. "Oh, my gosh. That's gorgeous."

"I know, right?" He says with a dimpled smile.

I walked onto the balcony, knowing this apartment would be the one for me. "As if the view in the living room isn't a premium bonus enough."

"You like this one?"

I turned around to face him. I replied with a nod since I stuffed the rest of the peach cobbler into my mouth.

He laughed because I probably looked like a chipmunk. "Okay. I'll tell Spencer, so he can get all the paperwork done."

Just then, Spencer came in. He probably finished the phone call. "You want this one."

"Mm-hmm." I beamed. "Oh, wait, Matthew, do you want this one, too? Cause I'd probably find another apartment that I'd like."

He gives us a confused look. "You guys aren't together?"

There was a full minute of awkward silence. I could've sworn it lasted more than that.

Spencer cleared his throat. "Matthew, you can get the apartment next door. It basically has the same layout as this one."

Matthew smiled. "Okay, sure."

I looked at him.

Okay?Just like that?

On the flip side, we're neighbors! The thought had me grinning like a little kid. Matthew must've read my mind because I could see the same grin on his face.

"Neighbors, huh?" he says with twinkles in his eyes.

I squealed. "Neighbors!" I jumped like a kindergartener and threw my arms around his neck.

Matthew laughed. I felt his arms wrapping around my waist and pulling me close. "Do you want to grab dinner later, neighbor?"

"Yeah, sure," I chirped. Us being neighbors is truly something I can celebrate.

For a moment, my life was perfect.

"Yes. A quiet one too because he's almost never in town." This came from Spencer. Cold, heartless, and party-pooping Spencer.

My heart sank. I know the party pooper is right. I might never see Matthew around anymore. I was doing a great job pushing that thought aside, now he just laid it out in the open.

Matthew's phone rings. I could tell it was an important call because he politely excused himself and was in the next room in a heartbeat.

Now I'm left alone with Spencer who apparently ruins everything fun. And he still had that 'do-you-guys-need-a-room' look on his face.

I barely know him, but I already don't like him. At all. I raised my chin up instead of giving him the bird. "We're, um, friends."

His brows arched a little.

I crossed my arms defensively. "Close friends."

Spencer's head tilts to one side. "He just asked you out on a date."

My mouth hangs open. However, Matthew came back before I could come up with a reply. He exchanged looks with Spencer. The latter didn't waste another second and said, "Okay, then. I'll get the paperwork ready for you guys."

"Okay." Matthew smiled and thanked him politely before turning to me with a bigger smile. "Are you ready to go?"

I nodded. Yep, so ready to go and not be in the same room with party-pooping Spencer.

One elevator ride later, we all left the building, surprised that it was already dark out. Out of manners, I waved Spencer goodbye as he drove his car away with his party-pooping ass in it.

"So, are you hungry yet?" Matthew asks when we're finally alone.

I turn to him with a sly smile. "You know I'm always game."

As we drove through the light traffic, I was expecting the 'dinner' to be at Andrei's. Which is why I got confused when we missed our turn. But I held my tongue even when we pulled up at one of the five-star restaurants in town.

Looks like I have Georgina to thank for making me wear a nice dress today.

However, I couldn't help myself any longer when the hostess led us to our table. "Are we banned from Andrei's or something?"

He shrugged, pulling my chair out. "I just thought a different scenery would be great."

"Are we going to tell him? Are we cheating on him?" I teased as I sank into my seat.

He took his seat across from me. "I'm sure he'll understand. Or we can order takeout to make it up to him."

When the waitress came to take our orders, Matthew made sure that she knew I had a peanut allergy. And practically made sure I wasn't going to die in this establishment. I ordered a cheeseburger with fries on the side, and he ordered a salad.

His phone's been buzzing the whole time, but he tries his best to stay off it. I told him it was totally understandable if he needed to take a phone call.

He never did.

I tried to stay positive even when his phone was the sole reminder of the fact that he had this whole other life waiting for him.

"Sorry. It's just work." He swiftly tapped away an email the same way I see Audrey does all the time.

"I see, your time off is over." I nibbled on my fry as I looked around to people-watch. There was a kid on the next table who stuck his tongue out.

I stick my tongue right back.

"Yes," Matthew sighs, "Officially over," he murmurs more to himself.

I take the burger off my plate, ready to get a huge bite. "Will I sound rude if I ask you things about your job?"

He slid his phone back into his pocket. "Honestly, I'd be pleased that what I do interests you."

"Really? Well then, I'd ask a ton of questions." The huge bite I intended was reduced to half a bite because he was staring intently at me. "What do you love about it?"

"I get to help people." He started digging in his salad. "You know, especially children."

I wasn't surprised at all. Ah, Matthew Parkinson and his gigantic, golden heart. "But what do you hate about it?"

Wait, is this what people talk about on dates? Is that what this is?

Oh, God!

Screw you, Spencer Forester, for putting the idea in my head. I was fine not reading too much on everything.

"Not much." Matthew thought for a moment. "Maybe going out of town for days. Sometimes, weeks. I realize I miss out a lot."

"Oh." A bile raised in my throat. The question was on the tip of my tongue, waiting to ruin my dinner. I forced myself to swallow a fry before mustering up the courage to finally voice it out. "Are you going away soon?"

He nodded. "I'll be leaving tomorrow."

My heart dropped to my stomach. I gulped, hoping I wouldn't sound as miserable as I was on the inside "Oh. How long will you be gone?"

"About a week," he replies.

Ugh. That long?

I knew this dinner wasn't what you think at all, you party-pooping Spencer. This was a goodbye kind of dinner.

I feigned a smile. "I'll keep you posted on everything."

His face brightened up with a smile. "That would be great."

I reach for my glass of wine. I think I need a whole bottle, but this will do for now. A couple of sips made me manage to chuckle. "Just full disclosure though, I take a lot of photos. I'm not exaggerating."

"Lucky for me then. The more photos, the better."

"Okay." I took another swig of wine, grateful that it was working its magic.

Matthew gave me a soft smile. "I'll ask my brothers to help you move. Cade and Christian can help you out with the furniture. Also, Andrei or Chandra can always help if you need a second opinion on anything."

I gasped scandalously. Just to tease him. "Oh, my. You're offering your siblings to me?"

He chuckled. "Believe me, I would've offered myself."

I choked on my wine, but I laughed it off. "Too bad."

Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was what he said, or maybe both. But I was sure the heat on my cheeks meant that he made me blush.

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