Eight Long Years (Heart of Hope 5)
“Yes, Matt. This is my sister April.” He nodded toward me. “April, this is Matt London, his family owns the London car dealerships.”
“How do you do?” I said, looking up at the man. He was about August’s age with brown hair and eyes. He had an air of wealth to him, but his smile was friendly and warm.
“Very well. And you?”
“Why don’t you join us,” August said, motioning to the chair by me.
“Thank you.”
He sat while at the same time August rose. “I have a meeting I need to get to.”
Wait, what? “August?” Was he expecting me to schmooze with Matt? I didn’t work for him anymore. Then I remembered what he said. He felt like I needed taking care of. That son-of-bitch was setting me up.
“Well, that wasn’t awkward,” Matt said when August left. He rose and moved to the chair August had vacated across from me.
“Awkward is August’s middle name,” I quipped.
Matt laughed. “Well, I have to say, if he was going to ambush me to arrange a date, I’m glad it was you. You seem to be taking this with good humor.”
“As are you,” I said. I considered leaving, except that would be rude. And once we started talking, it turned out Matt was an interesting guy.
As we finished, Matt said, “Do you work near here?”
“I do. I just started a job at a new security consulting firm.”
“Sounds interesting. I imagine they’ll get a lot of work. The need for security is always growing as hackers and thieves get more clever.”
He had a point, and I wondered if I’d be able to learn more about what they did and perhaps help them.
“Do you need a ride back?” he asked as he paid the breakfast bill.
“I walked. It’s not far.”
“Would I be overstepping if I offered to walk you back. At the very least, August would expect it.” He grinned, and I smiled back because he was right.
“We can plan our wedding and two-point-two children.”
He laughed. “And name the dog.”
As we walked, I realized that I hadn’t really spent time with a man like this. When Jude left, I was pregnant and for the next few years I was raising a baby, going to school, and working. In the last few years, I dated some, but no one really interested me. Not that Matt interested me either. At least not now. Not with the very real reminder of Jude back in town.
Had Jude not returned, would I be interested in Matt? I’d probably have gone on a date with him, but I suspected we’d end up in the friend-zone. Matt was handsome and charming, but there was something about him that told me he was still sowing his oats. As mom, I didn’t have time for meaningless flings, the one night with Jude, notwithstanding.
Still, I was enjoying Matt’s company so I was happy to have him walk me back to the office. Besides, if Cyrus saw me with Matt, it would likely relieve his concerns about me and Jude. If Jude saw me with Matt, maybe he’d move on too, although that though didn’t sit well in my gut.
13
Jude
I stood at the front of the office staring out the window waiting for April like a fucking idiot. I arrived that morning eager to spend time with her. For us to get to know each other again and yes, see if we still had what it took to pursue the plans we made before.
I’d gotten up extra early and went to the office store to pick up everything she might need. I’d wanted to be there when she arrived, especially since I hadn’t let Cyrus know what was up with hiring her. But I got caught in traffic, and by the time I got to the office, Cyrus had her in his office, vetting her. I lingered outside his door for a moment, eavesdropping out of curiosity. How would my friend and ex get along? I supposed I couldn’t blame him for bringing up my and April’s past, but it was none of his fucking business.
Yes, but that was a long time ago. We were kids, really. She’s said to Cyrus. Did she really see us like that? That we’d had a teenage summer fling and that was it? Then why did she have sex with me the other night? Was she just taking a trip down memory lane? Fuck!
All this was ruminating in my brain as I waited like a love-sick puppy for her to return from lunch.
“What’s going on?” Cyrus joined me at the window.