Page 13 of Matthew
Callie claimed a seat with her back to them. She was quiet, composed, and currently acting like he didn’t exist.
Which, for some reason, only made him want to exist harder.
Challenge accepted.
Cooper leaned in, his voice low. “Man, you’re in trouble.”
“She’s got your number already.” Mac smirked.
Matthew shrugged. “She might. But she hasn’t blocked me yet.”
Carter snorted. “She didn’t even flinch. I think you’ve officially been civilian sniped, my man.”
“From thirty feet,” Cooper added. “No casualties, but your ego might need a medic.”
He rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “You all finished?”
Caspian finally looked up. “Not even close. This is the most fun I’ve had all week.”
“Glad I could provide tonight’s entertainment,” Matthew muttered, his gaze flicking back to Callie. She sat with her back and shoulders straight, one arm resting casually on the table, but there was a tension in the way she held herself. A deliberate stillness that told him she was aware of every word being said behind her.
She was pretending he wasn’t there.
And that? That was going to be a problem.
One he suddenly had every intention of solving.
The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of two servers balancing trays stacked with brisket plates, burgers, fries, and baskets of fried pickles that made Carter perk up, even though he was finishing his meal.
“Thanks,” Holden said, grabbing his plate like a man who’d just survived a siege.
“Careful,” Cooper said loud enough for the other table to hear. “Pretty sure you gave Carter emotional whiplash.”
“Can’t help it,” Carter said. “Kerri’s kitchen is sacred. I’d marry her grilled cheese if I didn’t already have a wife.”
Emily laughed, scooting her drink aside to make room for her brisket. “Don’t let Mel hear you say that. She’ll make you get another tattoo.”
Carter winced. “One was enough.”
Mel owned the tattoo salon next to the bakery and was damn good at inking. Matthew had an appointment with her, but she was so popular, she was booked three months out.
He reached for the burger placed in front of him, but his gaze drifted toward Callie again. Her posture was more relaxed as she thanked her server.
She hadn’t turned to look at him again, but that didn’t stop his pulse from stirring every time she lifted her glass or smiled at something her sister said. It wasn’t the dramatic kind of attraction, it was the subtle kind. The kind that crept up on a guy, pulled at something stubborn inside, and made him forget why he'd sworn off complicated women in the first place.
Maggie, of course, had no such filter. “So, what’s the verdict?” she asked, holding up a fry like a microphone. “Is the new guy surviving the locals?”
Matthew glanced at her and shrugged. “So far. No pitchforks. No banishment.”
Cooper grinned. “Give it another hour.”
“Depends on if he dances,” Emily added sweetly.
Callie didn’t flinch. Didn’t react. But Matthew caught the flick of her napkin, the subtle stiffening of her spine.
Oh, yeah. She was definitely aware of him.
And he was officially planning to use that.
