After Kimber returned from the bathroom, the two of us made more small talk. She showed me some modeling photos of herself on her phone. It was the first time we actually had anything to talk about since the photos led to me mentioning my photography business, and the conversation evolved somewhat from there.
When I spotted Brady and Matteo walking into the restaurant, my heart began to pitter-patter.
I waved to let them know where we were seated, even though the hostess was clearly already leading them in our direction.
“Holy shit. That’s him? With the longish hair?” Kimber licked her lips.
Down, bitch.
I swallowed. “Yes.”
Her jaw dropped as she took in Matteo, and that made me more nauseous.
“He’s even hotter than Leah said.”
Wearing a black wool coat and dark jeans, Matteo did look handsome. My heart clenched as I longed to be back on our road trip, when things were so much simpler. If only I could have snapped my fingers and made that happen, erasing this whole complicated mess we’d gotten into. The fact that I was admiring Matteo with Brady right there also made me feel a little guilty.
Brady kissed me on the cheek. “Sorry to make you wait.” He then looked to Matteo. “Duncan, this is my sister’s good friend, Kimber.”
Kimber made googly eyes at him. “Really nice to meet you.”
“You, as well.” He didn’t look at me as he sat down next to her.
It took a while before his eyes finally landed on mine.
I got up the nerve to say, “It’s nice to see you again, Matteo.”
He nodded and forced a smile.
Kimber immediately struck up a conversation with him, leaning in and twirling her hair. She definitely seemed to want him. And why wouldn’t she? I couldn’t say I blamed her. But I was burning up with jealousy watching it all go down.
Matteo seemed to perk up a little more with each minute that passed as he listened to her go on and on about her recent night out to see Hamilton on Broadway. That morphed into a conversation about music, and it seemed like they were actually getting along pretty well.
Then Brady chimed in, “What Duncan is neglecting to tell you, Kimber, is that he’s a pretty damn good musician in his own right.”
Her eyes widened. “Gorgeous and talented? Wow, you’re just the whole package, aren’t you? What do you play?”
My eyes were glued to her hand on his arm. I wanted to scream, “Don’t touch him.”
“Guitar, and I do some singing,” Matteo answered humbly.
“Some singing?” Brady laughed. “His voice is incredible. You should hear him.”
Kimber squeezed Matteo’s arm. “I’d love to.”
As impressive as it all seemed, this girl had no idea just how much of a catch Matteo was. She didn’t know him like I did. Because not only was he gorgeous and talented on the surface, he was respectful and giving. He was just as beautiful on the inside.
Every second that passed while they were talking and seeming to get along really well was pure torture. I wanted to wiggle my nose and disappear like the chick from Bewitched.
Brady placed his hand on my knee under the table, and it made me fidget. I smiled over at him from time to time, but for the most part we were quiet, listening in on Matteo and Kimber’s conversation. I knew, in Brady’s mind, the purpose of tonight was to get his friend laid. I could tell by the look on his face as he watched them that he assumed his mission had been accomplished.
I was also starting to believe that scenario was a real possibility, which worried the hell out of me. Sure, Kimber was attractive. But I also wondered if Matteo felt the need to also take her back to his hotel just to spite me, to punish me for spending time with Brady. Or worse, what if he wrongly assumed I’d somehow known who he was all this time and hated me because he thought I’d deceived him?
Overcome with emotion, I needed a breather.
“I’ll be back. Heading to the restroom,” I said as I got up.
Nearly knocking into two people as I walked across the restaurant, I finally found my way to the bathroom. Once in the safety of that private space, I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked flushed. That came as no surprise, considering I’d been white-knuckling my way through this evening.
I didn’t feel like going back to the table, so I took my time, checking my makeup, washing my hands carefully.
When I finally forced myself out of the bathroom, the last thing I expected was to see Matteo exiting the men’s room at the same time.
He froze, and we stood facing each other in the small hallway between the restrooms. Had he come here hoping to find me? Or did he just have to go to the bathroom?