I woke up in bed alone. There was no sign of Matt. I figured Joan had called and needed to whisk him away to some important interview.
I pulled the covers over my head and giggled. Everything about last night had been incredible, fulfilling. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to stop smiling.
“What’s so funny?” Matt’s voice interrupted my laughter.
I pushed the covers down and saw him holding a breakfast tray.
“Nothing. I thought you left.”
“Without saying goodbye?” he set the tray in front of me. “You think I would do that?”
I shook my head and looked over the tray: Waffles, chocolate bagels, scrambled potatoes, orange slices and cranberry juice.
“When did you get groceries?”
“I didn’t. Joan picked up a few things and left them outside your door.”
“Does she always do that when you stay the night with someone?”
He laughed. “No. This is the first time Joan has ever done that. I think she likes you.”
“Good to know,” I cut up the waffle. “What are you doing today?”
“I have to taste some catering examples with Selena. The OWN network wants to capture all the wedding preparations.”
“Right…I keep forgetting about that.”
“Hey,” he tilted my chin. “Don’t look like that. I told you it’s not real.”
“Why are you going through with it then? Why can’t you just back out?”
“It’s complicated. Believe me, I’ve tried breaking things off with Selena but she…I signed a contract with the OWN network, a very unforgiving one.”
“And you can’t buy your way out of it?”
“Not exactly. There’s more than money attached to this wedding.”
“Oh,” I spread cream cheese across my bagel. I didn’t want to ask any more questions. He didn’t owe me anything, and we technically didn’t even know each other that well. All of a sudden I wanted him to leave.
I felt him rubbing my shoulders and immediately changed my mind.
He whispered in my ear, “When can I come over again?”
Jen sat down and slid me a beer. “Mel, you’re glowing! Did you guys do it? Was it good?”
“Really Jen? I’m fine. Thanks for asking. What’s up with your shirt?”
“You like?” she looked down at her chest. “I made it myself. I really should’ve majored in art.”
In bright blue and red letters were the words, “Eff My Thesis, Let’s Drink!” Below the words was a picture of a large martini glass with a pencil hanging out of it.
“You’re really not going to tell me about Matt Sterling?”
I changed the subject again, watching her squirm in anticipation of an answer.
“Tell me!” she beat her hands on the table like a toddler. “Tell me right now!”
“We did it,” I laughed. “We also watched movies and cooked way before that even happened.”
“He cooked for you? Aw! That’s sweet! I’m so jealous, Mel!”
“Don’t be. I think it’s just a fling. I’m sure it won’t last long.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I’m not sure how I feel about the Selena Ross thing. I think I’m just using him as a deflection from Sean.”
“Oh my god, shut up! Just go with the flow. Stop thinking so much.”
“Go with the flow?”
“Yes! He likes you, you like him. No big deal. I understand you’re not completely over Sean, but I think dating Matt is helping you get over him.”
“You sure you’re the little sister?”
“Not at all,” she took my beer and chugged it. “When are you seeing him again?”
“I’m not sure. I told him I would let him know later this week. If I have time Saturday I might ask him to come over.”
“Do I even want to know what lame activity you’re doing on Saturday? What’s so important that you can’t hang out with your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my boyfriend, Jen. And I thought you and me were going to Coney Island.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. Can I use your phone for a second?”
“Sure,” I handed it to her. “I have to run to the restroom.”
I splashed my face with water and looked in the mirror. Jen was right. I was glowing.
I wanted to call Matt before coming to the bar, to see how his day was going, but I didn’t want him to know I was thinking about him.
I slid back into our booth and noticed Jen had ordered four more drinks.
“I have to work tomorrow, Jen. I can’t drink all night.”
“Only one of these is for you,” she scoffed. “I’m taking advantage of you paying. Oh, and I texted your boyfriend for you. You can thank me later.”
“Jen!” I snatched my phone from her. “What did you text him?”
“That you’re head over heels in love with him and that you can’t wait to do it again.”
“Okay. Those were your last drinks of the night.”
My phone vibrated. A text from Matt: “I was thinking about you too. This Saturday works just fine. I’ll have to pick you up really early though. Can’t wait. Call you later :-)”
Matt shook me awake. “Wake up. We’re here.”
I sat up and looked out my window. There was nothing but a gas station with two pumps and a small dusty building that read “T&M’s.”