Page 66 of Matthew
He had updates to share with her, but he didn’t want to bring up business when she was clearly relaxed and happy after her family dinner.
No. They could wait. She needed the respite.
With his mind set, Matthew took a step closer. “You survive that interrogation?”
Callie turned, clearly not surprised to see him. “Barely. But I think Grandma Jo’s got your back.”
“Pretty sure she proposed.”
“She does that,” Callie said with a small laugh. “I’ve seen her flirt with the mailman. Twice.”
He chuckled. “I’ll try not to read too much into it, then.”
They stood there for a moment, the quiet stretching between them, not uncomfortable. No. It was full of things neither of them had quite figured out how to say.
A short honk drew both their attention as a dark SUV rolled past the diner entrance, windows down. Laurel waved from the passenger seat, her smile visible even in the dim light. Bennett gave a knowing nod behind the wheel before pulling out onto the road.
Callie gave a little wave back. “They’re cute together.”
Matthew smirked. “He’s been insufferable ever since she said yes.”
“Wait till the wedding planning starts. Then we’ll see who’s smug.”
“Oh, I look forward to it.” He grinned. “Her aunt Annie is going to be a force of nature.”
Callie laughed. “True.” Her gaze turned sobered. “Thanks for not making it weird in there.”
“You mean while your family was offering to adopt me?”
She rolled her eyes but grinned. “That partwasweird. I meant weird as in…pretending this is just business.”
She waved a hand between them.
Matthew’s smile softened. “It’s not just business.”
“Good.” She grinned. “Because I agree.”
He wasn’t sure what startled him more, her admission, or the fact she stepped close, rose onto her toes and pressed her lips to his.
It wasn’t hurried or shy. It was warm. Certain. Real.
He slid his hands to her waist and kissed her back, unhurried and deliberate, pouring everything he felt into the moment.
When she drew back, her smile lingered. “See you in the morning?”
He nodded, resisting the urge to pull her back in. “Bright and early.”
As she turned and walked to her truck, Matthew stood there watching, heart steady, pulse not.
She kissed like she trusted him and believed in him, and he’d die before letting that faith be misplaced.
Chapter Fourteen
Callie had barely set her coffee down when Maggie breezed in with her usual chaotic, caffeine-fueled flair, Tater trotting proudly at her heels, a squeaky toy hanging from his mouth.
“I brought muffins today,” Maggie announced, presenting the pink box with a flourish.
Sammy perked up from his spot by the door, tail thumping lazily before he padded over to investigate. He sniffed the air, gave a hopeful nudge toward the box, and plopped his head dramatically on Callie’s knee.
