Page 108 of My Ruthless Husband

In the end, she was so moved that she did something no one expected. She hugged Matt tightly. For a girl who usually keeps her distance, that hug spoke volumes. It was clear that Matt had not only made her day but had also succeeded in creating a wonderful memory she won’t forget.

A smile tugs at the corners of my lips.

“Whoa there,” he exclaims as he rushes over, “is that a smile I see?”

I chuckle at his theatrics. His grin widens, and he leans in a bit, his tone conspiratorial, “Seriously though, what did I do to earn such a beautiful smile?”

I feel a blush rising up my cheeks, and I mumble something about yesterday’s paintball party.

He seems genuinely pleased, “Mind if I join you?”

“Sure,” I respond and he takes a seat beside me. For a minute neither of us speak. And I start feeling uncomfortable. Breaking the awkward silence, I manage to ask, “Um, why weren’t you here this morning?”

His head snaps in my direction, blue eyes locking with mine. “Did you miss me?”

“I... uh, just wondered why you weren’t around.”

“That wasn’t a no,” he remarks, still staring at me.

When I gape at him, horrified, he chuckles. “I’m touched. Maybe I’ll make it a point to be here every morning if it means that much to you.”

“You know I didn’t mean that.” I grumble and he laughs. Then bumps his shoulder with mine. “I was just teasing.”

When I shoot him a droll look, he nudges my shoulder with his again. “Come on, don’t be too hard on me. You love it.”

“Love might be a strong word. Tolerate is more accurate.”

As he continues our banter, he suddenly reaches into his bag, pulling out a small box. “Oh, by the way,” he extends it to me, “This is for you.”

“What is it?”

“I noticed you haven’t had the chance to try Erin’s cookies, so I saved some for you.”

When I keep staring at him, speechless, he takes my hands and closes it around the box.

“You... saved c-cookies for me?”

“I dropped by early this morning to collect the brochures and packed some for you. Consider it a peace offering for all the teasing.”

I look down at the box, feeling oddly touched. “Well, I suppose you can be forgiven this time.” I smile at him.

He chuckles. “See, I knew you’d come around. Now, enjoy the cookies. They’re almost as sweet as your smiles.”

When I narrow my eyes, he raises his palms in surrender. Then urges me to taste it, I tell him that I will share them with Vicky to which he stares at me for a beat then shakes his head smiling. “You are an angel, aren’t you?”

The endearment wipes the smile off my face. “Please don’t call me that.”

“What? Angel? Why not?”

Because it reminds me of my husband.

I’m saved by Vicky’s presence. This is how it always is. Even in his absence, subtle reminders of him persistently find their way to haunt me.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Past

The party is everything I expected it would be. Dad wasn’t kidding when he said he was planning a grand celebration.

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