"How long do you think he was standing out here listening to us?" James asked and stared at the closed door. "I think I need to go talk to him."
"Nope." I grabbed James' arm and steered him back toward the ballroom. "He was waiting to use the bathroom. I warned you there'd be a line. You promised me a dance."
Chapter 24
Saturday
I smiled as I watched Scarlett and James dancing. At first she had been standing on his shoes, but she had found out that twirling was much more fun. I didn't understand how she hadn't gotten too dizzy to stand yet.
"May I have this dance?" Matt asked and put his hand out for me.
I laughed. "Honestly, my feet are killing me, Matt. And I'm exhausted."
"One dance." He smiled and kept his hand out.
"Fine, just one." I put my hand in his and he helped me to my feet.
It was a slow song I didn't recognize. Some old love ballad. I was glad that my stomach was in the way of us being able to dance any closer.
"So all of our friends, including James, think I'm in love with you," Matt said.
"I didn't say..."
"But what do you think?" He twirled me around and then pulled me back in close.
"I think that you're nice to me because you respect your friendship with me and with James. And that you wouldn't do anything to jeopardize either of those friendships."
He smiled. "So you do think I'm in love with you?"
"I didn't say that."
"If you want to put your mind at ease, I'm not in love with you."
"Good."
He smiled again. "Good." He twirled me around once more. "I'm the youngest of my friends. I'll eventually get married. I'll eventually have kids. But I'm not in any rush for either."
"Good," I said again. I wanted to roll my eyes at myself.
"So do you think maybe you could tell your husband to take that stick out of his ass?"
I laughed. "I can try. I don't get it though, Matt. What happened with Jen? And Kendra? Why do they all think you're an unemotional brick wall? You're always so nice to me."
"Let's make a deal. How about you stay out of my relationship issues and I'll stay out of yours."
"What relationship issues?"
He laughed. "Penny."
"Matthew."
"You know I hate being called Matthew," he said and gave me an exaggerated frown.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Then tell me what you meant."
He shrugged.
I punched him in the same spot that James had apparently been punching him."