Page 25

CHAPTER 25

Zoey

I buzz Liv’s apartment, and she lets me in. I ride the elevator up, tapping my foot as it hits me as to why I’m here, dressed the way I am. When the elevator arrives on her floor, I make my way to her front door and take a deep breath before knocking. She answers almost immediately.

She eyes me then turns and makes her way towards the kitchen, and without a word, grabs down a wine glass and pours a glass of white and passes it to me before pouring herself some orange juice. “Okay, what’s up?”

“You realize it’s like nine in the morning, right?”

She nods. “Yes, but you texted me last night asking to meet today, and you just showed up like”—she motions her hand up and down in front of me—“this. I know something’s up, and from the look on your face and the seriousness of your text, I’m guessing it calls for some booze. As much as I wish I could join you in this...” She motions between her boobs, because she’s breastfeeding. “Don’t worry, Josh is with Cate right now.”

“God damn, you and Matt,” I mutter.

“Hmmm?”

“Nothing. Let’s sit.”

We grab our glasses and move to the couch in the living room and settle in.

“So, the reason I wanted to talk is I need to let you know that Matt and I are dating.” I bite my bottom lip as I watch her.

“That’s it?”

I nod, and she tips her head back and laughs. Just when I think she’s done laughing, she laughs harder. When she does stop, she looks at me and then starts laughing again, and I take a large sip of my wine. This is not the reaction I thought I’d get.

“You made it sound like it was going to be a big deal. I’ve already told you I don’t care if you and Matt date. In fact, I kinda love that you could one day be my sister-in-law.”

I throw up my hand. “Whoa, you’re putting the cart before the horse. Matt and I have only gone on one date, two if you want to call the weekend two.”

“So, you spent the night?”

I roll my eyes. “Nothing happened. We only slept, but it was too late for me to leave Friday night after our movie ended and the same last night.”

She almost chokes on her drink. “You spent two nights at his apartment?”

I shrug. “Yeah, it’s nothing I haven’t done before.”

She stares at me. “But let me guess, this time you shared his bed instead of sleeping on the couch.”

My cheeks heat, and Liv smiles as she shakes her head.

“Of course you did.” She adjusts herself so she faces me fully and crosses her legs under herself. “So, tell me about the date. Where did he take you?”

Remembering Friday night, really this entire weekend, has me grinning like a fool. I tell her about dinner and our stop in the park before we went back to his place to continue our Star Wars marathon. I watch every little expression that crosses Liv’s face, trying to fully gage what she’s thinking, but she doesn’t say anything during my retelling of the weekend.

When I finish, she pats my leg and says, “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, Liv. I don’t want anything to be weird or awkward with us. I love you too much for that, but...” I take a deep breath, mustering the strength to say this out loud. “I have actual feelings for your brother and really want to see what this can be. I want more dates and to see if what started as a genuine friendship can be more.”

Liv takes my hand. “I know, Zo. I trust you and I trust him. I know you two wouldn’t have crossed any lines unless you were sure you genuinely wanted this. I’m happy for the both of you. You deserve each other in every positive way. I know you’ll take care of and support each other, and that’s all I’ve ever wished for you two.”

I wipe away a tear that escapes, and Liv’s face fills with over exaggerated shock. “Did I just make Zoey Williams cry?”

I swat at her. “Yes, you brat. You went and said all those nice things. How am I supposed to not cry?”

She puts her glass down, and I follow as she pulls me into a hug. “I love you, Zo.”

“I love you, too.”

As we separate, Josh comes down the hall with Cate. I immediately do grabby hands at him, and he hands her to me.

“Gives Aunty Zo a whole new meaning,” Liv says, and Josh tilts his head at her. “Oh, just Matt and Zo dating, so…”

“Matt’s dating?” Josh asks skeptically.

Liv nods with the largest smile on her face. “Yup,” she says, popping the P. “Him and Zoey are dating.”

Josh sits beside Liv on the couch, and she leans into him. “I didn’t think he was there yet. I knew he’d eventually date, I just figured he’d wait until he was in his mid-thirties for some reason. He was enjoying his bachelor lifestyle.”

I shrug. “I don’t know what changed his mind. But we’ve agreed we’re dating and we’re exclusive.”

Liv is still grinning. “It was you. That’s what changed his mind.”

I shake my head. “Nope. Not me. No way I could make him change his ways like that.” There’s nothing I could have done to make the perpetual playboy decide he wanted a monogamous relationship. Saying that gives me way too much power, and as much as I like having power when it comes to our relationship, that is too much. It puts too much pressure on me. On our relationship.

Liv, seeming to read the slight panic that’s going through me right now, drops the subject. “How about breakfast?”

I shake my head. “I’m good. I ate with Matt before he dropped me off. But I’ll stick around and spend time with you and”—I lean down and blow raspberries on Cate’s cheek, and she giggles—“my adorable niece.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Josh seems to take that as his cue, because he gets up and heads to the kitchen. Liv and I slip into normal conversation, and I’m beyond relieved there’s zero awkwardness between us. As much as someone may say they’re okay with you dating their sibling, you can never truly know how much they mean it. And I know Liv doesn’t really say things she doesn’t mean, but the hypothetical of your brother and best friend dating versus the reality are very different, and she may change her mind when she sees us together. While we talk, she feeds Cate.

She and Josh settle at the dining table and eat their breakfast. I take Cate and play with her on the living room floor. As I play with her, I see the similarities between her and Jayden. Cate definitely has a lot of Josh, but I can see Liv, and she does little things that immediately make me think of Liv, and Jayden does the same thing. I’m sure when these two grow up, they’ll be very similar.

When Liv and Josh finish breakfast, Josh takes Cate and says they have a daddy-daughter date planned for the day before grabbing the diaper bag and stroller and leaving the apartment.

“Did you just kick your husband out?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “No, Josh is very serious about daddy-daughter dates. He’s tried to work less during the week, but it’s hard when he’s so needed and he just bought the team, so he dedicates his weekends to time for us and with Cate.”

“He’s a good dad.”

She nods. “A very good dad. I’m lucky to have him.”

“You’re both lucky.”

We settle on the couch, and Liv tosses me a blanket before pulling up a romcom and pressing play. We make it through three movies before Josh comes home, and I figure I should head home. I shoot Matt a text, letting him know I’m just going to catch the train home. I don’t want him to have to get Jayden ready and into the car when I’m perfectly capable of getting myself home. He texts me to wait, but I tell him I’m fine.

When I enter the living room again, Liv is on the phone, and she’s staring right at me with a grin so big I’m sure her face hurts. That look tells me everything I need to know.

“He didn’t,” I say when she hangs up, and she nods.

“I’ve been given strict instructions to not let you leave until Matt gets here to take you home.”

“I’m a grown-ass woman. I can get myself home.”

“Matt said it’s dark and he’s taking you home.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m leaving. I love you, and I’ll see you later.” I turn to the front door, and Josh steps in front of it. “Josh, could you please let me go.”

His eyes dart over my shoulder and back to me. “Sorry, Liv said you’re staying.”

I look over my shoulder at her and scowl. “Seriously?”

She shrugs.

“You’ve got him so pussy whipped he’s not letting me leave?”

She shrugs again, and I shake my head.

I turn and start to head down the hallway towards the washroom. When Josh starts to move away from the door, I turn and try to beat him to the door, but it’s no use. “Fucking hockey player,” I mutter.

It’s no use. I settle at the end of the couch and cross my arms like a toddler, and at this point, I don’t give a fuck. I’m being locked in my best friend’s apartment because her brother won’t let me take the train home. The same train I’ve taken for years, all because it’s fucking dark. Stupid daylight savings.

Liv’s phone rings, and she answers and presses a button and I know Matt’s here. I’m not happy with him right now. Matt knocks on the front door, and Josh answers, letting him in.

He’s got Jayden in his car seat in hand, and when he spots me he asks, “What did I say this morning, Bug?”

I turn and face him, not leaving the couch. “Nope. You’re not going to Bug me right now. I’m pissed. I’m a big girl, I can get myself home. I told you not to come get me.”

Liv meets Matt and takes the car seat from him, and he walks towards me. There’s something in his expression that goes straight between my legs, but I fight it. I’m not backing down on this. When he’s in front of me, he leans over me on the couch. As I look up at him, his expression softens.

“Do you trust me?” he asks, and I nod. “Do you believe that I care about you?”

I nod again.

“Do you believe I’ll do everything I can to make sure you’re safe and taken care of?”

That’s a big question, but I somehow know deep in my bones it’s true. I nod.

“Then I’m not going to let you take the train home in the dark when I’m perfectly capable of coming to pick you up and make sure you get there safely.”

“But Jayden...” I whisper.

“He loves car rides, and I’m sure it will put him right to sleep on the way home.”

“But—”

He shakes his head, cutting me off. “Bug, let me take care of you. I know you’re independent, and I love that about you, but I need you to let me do this for you. I need you to let me make sure you’re safe.” His voice and eyes are pleading, as if being able to do this for me is important to him.

“Okay,” I finally say, and he releases a breath and his shoulders relax.

“I care about you, Zoey.

I reach up and cup his face, and he leans into my touch. “I care about you, too, Matthew.”

He turns and kisses my palm. “Let’s get you home.”

He pushes up to stand and offers me his hand. He looks over my shoulder, and I follow his gaze to Liv with Jayden’s car seat on the kitchen counter and her pretending like she’s not constantly peaking over at us.

“She knows,” I say, and Matt looks back at me. “I came over to tell her. She’s one hundred percent okay with us and was actually quite happy when I told her.”

He grins at me before taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I’m glad, because I really want to do this.” He leans forward and kisses me. It’s soft and intimate and leaves me wanting more when he pulls away. I shake my head at him despite my smile.

He takes my hand, and I follow him into the kitchen.

“Okay, little man,” Matt says as we reach Liv and Jayden.

I poke my head in front of Jayden, and he starts babbling and kicking his feet and shaking his arms like crazy.

“Hey, munchkin.”

He babbles more.

“Oh really? You had tons of fun with Aunty Gi and Grandma and Grampa!”

“Yup, you should see all the toys they bought for him. This kid is spoiled,” Matt says.

Liv laughs. “You don’t get to complain one bit. You did the same to me when Cate was born. We’re all just making up for lost time.”

A solemn look takes over Matt’s face. “I know.”

Liv reaches out and grabs her brother’s arm. “We don’t blame you for any of this. We all just want to connect with him. He’s your son, and he’s family.”

Matt nods, and I hug his arm and lean into his side. “He is also just an adorable little one, too.” I pinch Jayden’s cheek, and he squeals. “Who could help spoiling this cutie patootie?”

I feel Matt shake his head, and he grabs the handle of the car seat. “Time to get you two home,” he says before turning to Liv. “Thanks, Liv.”

“No thanks needed.”

A quick kiss on her cheek and wave at Josh, who’s leaning against the entry to the kitchen, and he makes his way to the front door. I say my goodbyes and follow Matt.

When Matt pulls up in front of Henry’s, he quickly rounds the car and opens my door for me, but he blocks me in. “Let me pick you up in the morning.” It’s a mix of a demand and a plea.

“Matt, it’s just easier to meet you there then after breakfast I can come back here.”

“I can drop you off after, it’s fine.”

“It’s not exactly on your way home.”

“I know, but it means I can spend more time with you.”

My eyes widen. Matt is coming on very strong right now, especially after having only one date. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.

He cups my face. “I should have asked you out earlier, that was my fault, but now I’m going to enjoy all the time I can get with you, and if that means driving a little out of my way so I can drop you off, then I’ll do it.”

Those damn butterflies take off again, and I can’t say no to him right now.

“Okay. Just text me when you’re on your way.”

His grin is blinding. “I will.”

He helps me out of the car and pulls me into him before kissing me in a much different way than he did at Liv’s. I wrap my arms around his neck as he wraps his around my waist and holds me against him. After a few minutes, he peppers a few pecks on my lips and whispers, “I’ll see you in the morning, Bug.”

“See you in the morning.”

I look over my shoulder twice on my way to the front door, smiling from ear to ear the whole way. Henry and Maggie aren’t home when I walk in, and I jog up to my bedroom before quickly grabbing a shower and changing into some lazy lounge clothes.