(53) Jessica

Jessica

Matthew laid a paper bag and a couple of coffees to-go on the counter. He runs a hand through his damp hair, his eyes wondering why I was staring intently at his tablet. He just got back from his morning run with Cade. It took longer than usual.

"What are you looking at?" He walked around the counter.

I glanced at his face and smiled. "Just pictures of hot guys on the internet."

He pursed his lips at me.

I chuckled. "I'm kidding. Come here. You have to see this."

He shuffled grumpily behind me.

"It's Audrey's sonogram."

His frown turned upside down. "Is this the first one?"

"Yep. First-ever sonogram of baby number two."

We both stared at the screen of his tablet. Well, up until my stomach growled.

Matthew let out a small laugh and put his phone down on the counter, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Waffles and a huge ass omelet."

He chuckled. "Okay. I'll get right to it after I take a shower."

"Take your time." I took a croissant out of the paper bag and took a large bite.

He went in the direction of the bedroom. I waited until I heard the shower running. I opened a new tab on his tablet and looked up recipes on Google.

France sent me a few last night, but I'd like to have a lot of options.

Matthew's phone rings, snapping me out of my thoughts. I glanced down at the screen and froze.

It was Kierra.

"Matthew?" I called out.

He didn't answer. He probably couldn't hear me over the shower running.

I snatched his phone off the counter and rushed into the bathroom. "Matthew? Kierra's calling."

The shower shut off. "Can you answer it for me?"

"Sure."

"You're the best. Thanks."

I broke into a smile. "You're welcome, babe."

It wasn't the first time that I was answering a call for him, so it shouldn't be a big deal. However, I was making a great deal out of it because it's the tenth call now.

"Hi, Kierra." I walked back to the kitchen and picked up the tablet to close the browser.

"Hi!" Kierra sounded genuinely excited on the other line... and not surprised that I was answering the call. "Can you tell Matthew I'm scheduling for the suit-fitting thing the day after tomorrow?"

"Okay, sure," I replied.

"You can go with him if you want. You know, make sure it looks good on him," she suggested.

"Oh, I'm not to be trusted. You can make him wear a burlap bag and I'd still think he's hot."

She burst a laugh on the other line. "That's right. You'll probably be a little biased."

And then, there was silence on the other line. I had something gnawing in my stomach. Like the one from last night.

"Kierra?"

"Yeah?"

I heard Jason's voice in the background.

Crap.

"Nothing. I just, um, wanted to know if Taylor told you about the centerpiece." I fiddled with the paper bag, struggling to shove the words back where they came from.

"Oh, yes. I'm glad she did. It would've been a mess."

I chewed on my lip. "Great. I'll see you at rehearsal dinner."

"And at the exhibit?" There was a hopeful tone in her voice.

"Okay."

She made an excited sound. "You can invite Matthew as your plus one."

"Yeah. Maybe, I'll invite some friends too."

Kierra gasped. "You will? Oh my, gosh. That'll be great."

I fought the urge to save her from her impending heartbreak. I had half a mind to tell her. But France disagreed and insisted I tell Matthew instead and let him relay the information to his best friend. He just thought it was best to come from someone she fully trusts.

"Jess?"

I blinked. "Still here."

"I'll see then?"

"Yeah. I'll see you then."

Kierra ended the call, and I was left staring at the marbled countertop.

"What were you guys talking about?" Matthew came up from behind me, the smell of his aftershave engulfing my senses.

"We're talking about your suit for her wedding. You have a schedule with the tailor the day after tomorrow." I handed him his phone when it pinged with an email from Kierra.

He took it and read the email. "Are you coming with me?"

"You want me to come with you?" I swiveled the barstool all the way around to face him.

His shoulders dropped an inch. "You don't want to come with?"

I tried not to smile because he was basically pouting like a kid, and I didn't want to ruin the moment. "I need some convincing."

He knew I wasn't working this week and was planning to babysit all of our godchildren all throughout.

"Blueberry pie?" His dimple hollowed slightly, his blue eyes bright.

I beamed. "Okay."

I was just messing with him, but okay.

"Great," he chirps, walking toward the fridge to make breakfast.

I started fiddling with the paper bag again, suddenly nervous to voice out what I'd meant to ask him since last night. "Matthew, how'd you meet Jason? I only knew about you guys being friends since you were kids."

He put a pan on the stove and quickly glanced my way. "We met him in an orphanage where my mom used to take me. He had a rough life."

I stayed quiet, urging him to go on.

"I introduced him to Kierra. Then, he got adopted."

I nodded even when he couldn't see because his back was on me. "And then?"

"My mom gave him a full scholarship, so we were all completely inseparable from middle school to high school."

I arched my brow suspiciously. "Did you talk to your mom about giving him a scholarship?"

"Yeah. He asked me a favor. His parents were great, but they had two other children, so they couldn't afford prep school."

That must've been one hell of a favor. I hate to let my underlying presumptions about Jason get the best of me, but it seemed as though Jason took advantage of Matthew and Kierra's kindness.

"And?"

He shrugged. "And then he got together with Kierra. She wanted them to go the same college, but Jason's parents couldn't afford it."

My hands rolled into fists. "Her parents paid for his college education, didn't they?"

"Yup."

My heart was wrenching in my chest. Kierra and Matthew deserved better. All the while, my mind spiraled into a series of what-ifs. Kierra and Matthew would've ended up together if they hadn't let Jason into their lives.

Imagine how much heartache would've never happened in the first place.

On the downside though, I wouldn't be in Matthew's life. The thought makes me want to bawl my eyes out.

I find myself walking around the counter and toward Matthew. I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him from behind.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Matthew's hand squeezed mine.

"Nothing. That's the thing, everything about this is right," I murmured more to myself.

Matthew chuckled, maneuvering me a little so I was now hugging him from his left side. His arm went around me.

"The omelet smells nice," I blurted out before he could make me repeat what I just said.

He gave me a peck on the top of my head and grinned boyishly.

"Matthew?"

"Hmm?"

I rallied my courage and blurted, "Will you be my boyfriend?"

Matthew dropped on the pan, mixing with the omelet. He stiffened and looked down at me.

I couldn't exactly pinpoint the expression he had on his face, but I could tell that it was more confused-ish.

"Matthew?" I gulped.

He scratched the back of his neck. "Jessica, I, um, I thought I already was."

I felt my mouth curl into a huge grin. "You do?"

"Honestly," he sighed, nervously toying with a strand of my hair, "I've been sort of telling everybody that you were my girlfriend.

My heart fluttered in my chest.

"Everybody?"

He nods slowly, unsure of himself. "You know, my parents, siblings, cousins, friends, some people at work, and some acquaintances at a conference."

"So, basically, Kierra was the last person you told?"

He pursed his lips as if in thought. "Yeah. Basically."

We were silent still for a moment. Then my wayward laugh smashed at it like a wrecking ball.

Matthew's cheeks turned a tad red, but he held his head high. "I will never be embarrassed of what I did. In fact, I'm proud of it."

I squeezed him into a tighter hug. "I'm happy to hear that."

"Really?"

I nuzzled his neck, a feeling of contentment in my chest. "Mmm-hmm. I'm happy that you told everybody."

His arms snaked around me. "I'd feel happy too if you tell everybody that I'm boyfriend."

I looked up, a soft giggle in my throat.

Matthew laid a hand on my cheek, urging me to look up. He dipped his head low, aiming for a kiss.

I stood in my tiptoes, meeting him halfway.

I have only ONE thought: Travis Kelce. Thank you.