Page 35 of Give Me a Chance
“He plans to do exactly that,” Rina smirks.
“Oh.” For some reason, having the same idea as him warms me up inside.
Matt approaches with a platter full of burgers and we dig in. There is an array of condiments spread over the table, so we each grab what we want and make our burgers. The guys wash their hands after soccer and join us at the table.
“God, Matt, this is incredible,” Anne says with her mouth full. He flashes her a bright smile. There is a spot of charunderneath his bottom lip, and I itch to wet my thumb and remove it.
Biting into the burger, I barely manage to suppress a moan. This is the best burger I ever had. With the taste of it on my tongue, the scent of the grill, and his rugged look, my nipples tingle with anticipation.
In all of my sexual encounters, never have I ever gotten turned on by a burger. Until now.
After the meal, the guys—now with Matt—get back to playing soccer while we continue chilling on the comfortable garden chairs. His moves are quick and deft as he helps Eric score. Eric shoots the ball into the makeshift goal, and Matt grabs him, throwing him in the air, while Eric laughs hysterically.
“So, what’s up?” Rina asks, staring at me from my right.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, suddenly, you’re at Matt’s barbeque, after everything you’ve told us, acting all friendly.”
“We decided to be friends.”
She nods her head in understanding. “So, you got it out of your system?”
I shoot her a confused look, so she continues: “The attraction?”
“Yeah, you know I never stay in the same place for too long.” The second part is the truth, but the attraction?
It’s definitely not out of my system. It’s so deep in my system even this casual, friendly outing makes me ache to get him alone. But that would be a terrible idea.
Connor, Rina, and Eric are the first to leave, having to get Eric ready for bed. Anne hitches a ride with Noah, and suddenly, I’m the only one left.
“Well, I guess I can’t escape helping you clean now,” I say, making him chuckle. A bunch of things are still on the table, so we get to work in cozy silence.
I’m washing the dishes when he enters from the backyard, a couple of empty beer bottles in hand.
“These are the last ones.” Circling me, he drops the bottles into the recycling. The whole thing is too domesticated, too comfortable for comfort.
“Great, I’m finishing up, too.”
“Thanks for helping out. I could have done it myself, but I appreciate the company.” His lips turn up while he leans on the counter.
“My nonna would disown me if I did that.”
“You’re Italian?” A curious look appears as he takes a swig of his beer.
“On my mom’s side. Nonna never quite got over my mom not marrying an Italian. That’s why she’s the only one who calls me Natalia.”
“Natalia.” He tries it out. “Sound beautiful.” Blood rushes to my cheeks. “You have a big family?”
“Yeah, I guess. I have a younger brother and sister, but when you add all the cousins, there’s probably fifty of us.”
“Wow. That sounds . . . loud.” I crack up.
“That’s a gross understatement.”
“Where are your brother and sister? Are you close?”
“Yeah. My sister is in California, in college. And my brother lives close to my parent’s house, with his husband. How about you?”
