Page 80 of Guarded from Treachery

“They just found out,” Matt replies. “I was talking to Rylan a couple of days ago and he mentioned it. It’s still pretty new. I think they’re due the end of May.”

In a low tone, I ask, “Do you really want me to meet everyone in Sleepy Hollow?”

Matt’s forehead furrows as he stares at me for a second. “Of course. You’re my girlfriend. Why wouldn’t I want you to meet my friends?”

Because I’m scared that Matt will decide my life is too complicated and I’ll end up devastated and alone?

Because I’m so close to the happiness I’ve always wanted and I’m terrified of it being taken away?

Because the scars my parents’ callous treatment left are healed over but not fully gone? And there’s still a little part of me that fears being rejected again?

But I don’t say any of that. Not now, when this is supposed to be a special time.

This trip is something Matt and his teammates planned for days—arranging for the store to open on a Monday, when it’s normally closed, running a background check on the owner, and coming here ahead of time to check the security. And they’ve all been so sweet about it, not once acting like this was a hardship or chore.

Instead of sharing my fears, I work my mouth into a smile. “You’re right. And I would love to meet everyone.”

“Maybe we could drive to Vermont to meet Rory, too.” As he talks, Matt grabs another pair of overalls and inspects them, this pair in pale yellow with a fuzzy monkey on the bib. “We could make a whole Northeast trip out of it. Sleepy Hollow, then up to the Adirondacks to meet up with a couple buddies up there. And after that, we could head to Vermont, visit Rory, and stop in to see some friends who started a new security company in this little town called Bliss, if you can believe it.”

“They live in Bliss?”

His eyebrows jump up. “You know it?”

“Yeah, that’s where Rory lives. Well, she’s more outside of town than in it, but yes.”

“Oh, wow,” he replies. “I wonder if she knows my friends.”

“I’m not sure. She keeps to herself a lot. Unless they came to adopt a pet… she runs an animal shelter, so she’s really busy on her farm, taking care of all the rescues.”

A contemplative expression moves across Matt’s face. “That’s such a crazy coincidence. I’ll have to ask Enzo if he’s ever been there. He and his wife, Winter, adopted a cat not too long ago. Maybe that’s where they went.”

“Maybe.” I notice the yellow overalls have joined the purple ones on his arm, and my heart gives another tug. “But the trip sounds really great. I’d love to go.”

“Hey, Isla.” Back from her most recent rotation around the store—which doesn’t take too long, considering it’s only three rooms—Rhiannon walks over to us. “I was walking past the maternity section, and they have some really pretty dresses.”

Her gaze skips from mine to Matt’s and back again. “Some cocktail-style ones. In casesomeonedecided to plan another romantic date.”

Matt chuckles. “I might be planning another one.”

Rhiannon smiles. “Do you want to look at some of them, Isla? Or stick with the baby stuff first?”

Since my stretchy non-maternity dresses aren’t going to work much longer, and I’d rather not have a romantic date in sweats and a T-shirt, I nod. “Maybe some dresses first. That’ll be quicker, anyway. And then I can load up?—”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Matt adding a miniature onesie with eagles printed all over it to the growing pile draped over his arm. “Or Matt can keep shopping,” I add with a smile.

“We have some dressing rooms in the back,” Lydia offers. “Just head through those curtains right there, then take a left. And if you need to use the restroom, it’s just to the right.”

Matt stiffens. His gaze flickers to the ivory curtains hanging in the doorway.

“I’ll go with Isla,” Rhiannon assures him. “I won’t leave her alone for a second.”

“It’s okay,” I add. “Rhi can help me pick out something sexy for our next date. And maybe you could find some more onesies? If you want?”

He takes a deep breath and sighs it out. “Okay. I’ll pick out some cool stuff for Eagle.” Dipping his head, he captures my lips. Heat flares in his eyes. “Anddefinitelyfind something sexy.”

A few minutes later, Rhiannon and I are situated in one of the dressing rooms, with half a dozen cocktail dresses waiting to try on. There’s a shimmery A-line in a deep orchid, a black silk wraparound, and my favorite, a floaty dress in shades of purple with an ombre effect.

Since the store is empty except for us, we leave the door open to the runway-style aisle in the center, so I can check myself out in the floor to ceiling mirror. As I pull on the purple dress, she smiles and says, “Oh, that looks gorgeous. And I hope you don’t mind me saying, but I think Matt will love it.”

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