Page 46 of To Believe In You
Matt crossed his arms.
With him standing sentinel beside her, she dialed voicemail and listened, then relayed the message. “He says he’s sending me a gift.” She set the phone down—too close to the edge.
It tumbled toward the floor, and Matt caught it. He slid it onto the desk. Forehead furrowed, he waited for her explanation.
“They haven’t given me a birthday gift since I lived at home, and we only exchange Christmas gifts if I’m home for the holidays.” Even then, they never chose items she needed or wanted. “I don’t know why he’d try to surprise me with anything.”
“A bribe to get you to sell?”
“No gift would inspire that.” She twisted her ring. “I guess I’ll have to wait and see.”
Matt silently accepted the statement, though if she could read him right, he’d take the battle to her dad instead of waiting if given the opportunity. “Speaking of boundaries, has Shane reached out?”
“No, not since the day you answered. It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it? Two weeks?”
“Something like that.” Matt tipped her a small smile. “I’m glad he laid off.”
Did Matt have feelings for her? Attraction would explain his concern, his caring attention. He wouldn’t have turned down Awestruck in part to stay close to her, would he?
The sacrifice would be too much. The mention of Shane reminded her she had scars. She might trust Matt right now, in this moment, but could she trust him—or any man, for that matter—enough to hitch her life to his?
She squeezed her ring, and the stone pressed into her fingertip. “Are you sure about Awestruck? It’s quite an opportunity—and the whole reason Tim brought you here.”
“Tim can scheme all he wants. Maybe God brought me to Lakeshore for something else.” He studied her another moment before he left.
13
Matt sat alone at a table on the mezzanine, watching as Gannon, John, and Philip took over the dance floor at the wedding reception. They launched into a dance routine boy bands the world over would envy—particularly the boy band who’d recorded the song that blared from the speakers.
Judging by the packed ballroom, Gannon and Adeline had wanted all of their family and friends with them on their big day. The wedding had drawn music industry royalty and far-flung cousins alike to their hometown of Fox Valley, Wisconsin, and the couple had pulled out all the stops to make them glad they’d come.
The country club was decked out in all the frilly stuff—flowers, floating candles, and seat covers with velvet bows. A table offered three-inch-tall spruce trees in little terrariums as wedding favors. Dinner had featured the most flavorful filet mignon of Matt’s life. The chicken must’ve been equally delicious because Lina, who’d sat next to him, groaned when she’d taken her first bite.
The sound had sent him on a mental tangent related to whether he’d have to learn to cook to elicit that reaction from her, or if he might find another way. Thankfully, the evening’s entertainment, which had included two live performances so far, had helped divert his thoughts to safer subjects.
And now, Awestruck was performing a dance routine. John and Philip had shown incredible support for Gannon and Adeline by agreeing to star in such a corny and complex performance, yet they flanked Gannon, as enthusiastic as the groom. Adeline and Erin stood at the edge of the dance floor, cheering on their husbands and more closely resembling heart-eyed emojis than any human should.
What would it be like to feel as happy as any of them? So secure, surrounded by friends and love, bright futures theirs for the taking.
Instead, he was the guy alone at the table in the back. He scraped his knuckles across his upper lip, and the ache lasted as he lowered his hand. He shouldn’t have come here to sit and stare at the best opportunity he’d ever had and lost.
“They need a flipper.” The woman’s breath brushed his ear, but she hadn’t whispered, and the words hit his eardrum like a hammer.
The shock threw his foot against the table leg. He braced a hand on the table, laughed, and glanced over his shoulder to confirm.
Sure enough. Lina.
“Trying to give me a heart attack?”
“Oh.” Her smile disappeared.
He shouldn’t have complained. Having her close was worth the occasional heart palpitation. In fact, he was prone to them when he saw her coming from a mile away, so she might as well surprise him.
She must’ve concluded the same, because the smile crept back into place. “Serves you right.” Her skirt rustled against the heavy tablecloth as she turned her knees under the table. The emerald gown set off her fair skin and blond hair. A row of rhinestone clips held her hair back on one side, exposing her neck and the dusting of freckles on her shoulder.
Her red lipstick had survived dinner. How would it fare if someone kissed her?
Not something he should be thinking about.
