Page 65 of Mine to Keep

“Morning, Matt,” Nicole greeted.

“Hey, Nicole, James.”

“Headed out?” James motioned toward the elevator.

“We are,” I answered, and then they looked over at me.

James pressed the button, and we waited in awkward silence. Only when the four of us were on the elevator did Nicole finally speak.

“Nick, you work at Saintly Sweets, don’t you?”

“Yep. Me and my family own it.”

“That’s so lovely. I wanted to get a cake for my mother-in-law’s birthday next week, is that something you do?”

I nodded. “Just stop in anytime. I think Shep only needs forty-eight hours’ notice, but feel free to tell him I sent you. He’ll get on it right away for you.”

She giggled. “Thank you, that’s very kind.”

James snorted softly, almost too softly. I side-eyed him and oddly, he was glaring at the numbers as we descended.

“Here we are.” Matt exited first, followed by me and James and Nicole last.

“See you later.” I waved and grabbed Matt’s hand in mine, paying close attention to the way they’d react. Nicole waved, and James turned toward the mailboxes.

“Everything all right?” Matt squeezed my fingers.

“I dunno.”

He nodded, eyes flickering back to where James was removing some mail and Nicole waited.

I walked him to his car, then went to mine. No notes for either of us, thankfully. I followed behind him, staying vigilant, but it was a peaceful drive. As soon as we turned onto our long driveway, I relaxed.

When Matt got out of his car, he came over to me. “So, what squigged you out?”

I laughed. “Squigged?”

“Yeah, something did, I could tell.”

“Just the way James was acting, is all. Not volatile, but almost like my talking to Nicole irritated him.”

Matt pursed his lips. “Weird, I don’t think I’ve ever seen James upset.”

I shrugged. “I’m noticing everything. Nothing is off the table, you know.”

“I know.”

Right before we went inside, I tugged him closer. He grinned and happily came. “So, listen.”

“I’m listening.”

“It’s family night tonight.” His smile dropped and I hated it, so I quickly spoke. “I want you to stay for it.”

“What? Isn’t that dinner and a movie? Something you all do? I won’t intrude on that.”

“I’m inviting you, Matt. And they all like you. We tried to get you to join us when you were living here, but you always said no.”

He eyed the front door and sighed. “I don’t know.”

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