Dating the Guy Next Door (8 page)

“You can do this,” he murmured just as Monica Peterson bore down on her.

“Kate, I'm so happy to see you. Come with me, there are some people I'd like you to meet.”

“It's okay,” Matt said in a soft voice as they both followed Monica as she wove her way through the crowd. “Meeting new people can be daunting, but if it's any help, you should just—”

“Don't tell me to imagine them in their underpants,” Kate warned as she shuddered at the idea. Especially since she was an artist and had a very bendy imagination. But Matt grinned.

“Actually, I was going to say you should smile. You'd be surprised at just how far a smile can go.”

“Oh.” Kate flushed as she tried to lose the vision of Matt in his underwear. It was a dangerous thought. But it was quickly washed from her mind as they reached a formidable couple who ran a prestigious gallery on the other side of town. Her mouth went dry as Monica made the introductions, but Kate forced a smile onto her face and was surprised when the couple both softened and asked her several smart questions about her work.

Kate began to relax, and by the time a columnist from the local paper had done a short interview and taken several photos of her and Matt together, Monica gave her a pleased smile and nodded to let her know that the networking was officially over for the night.

“See, that wasn't so bad, was it?” Matt said in a soft voice as he procured two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter.

“No. If you compare it to having three teeth extracted without any pain relief, I guess it wasn't.” Kate took the slender
glass from him then gave him a grateful smile. “Though I'm pretty sure I couldn't have done it on my own. Thank you.”

“That's what neighbors are for.” Matt clinked the lip of her glass in a salutation. She took a sip and felt the alcohol move through her limbs.

“I guess you could say that we're even. You helped me and I helped you. In fact, together we make a pretty good team,” Matt murmured as he stepped closer. Kate's heart pounded in a way that had nothing to do with the champagne. This time he really was going to kiss her. It wasn't her imagination and her whole body tingled as his face lowered down to hers. The smell of his aftershave, the feel of the faint bristles against her skin. It was all intoxicating.

“You're just saying that because everyone told you were charming tonight,” Kate murmured as his free hand found hers and he stepped closer so that his body was only inches away. She longed to press herself into him and it was only the knowledge that they were in the middle of a black-tie event that stopped her. Again she realized that Jenny hadn't been exaggerating about the pressure cooker. Right now she felt like an active volcano.

“I am charming,” he corrected as he let out a soft groan and his breath caressed her cheek, sending a shockwave through her body. “And you are so beautiful. So very beautiful. Would it scandalize you if I said I want to kiss you? Right here, right now.”

He called her beautiful.

She inched closer to him and craned her neck. “I—I want to kiss you too,” she replied as she parted her mouth. Being with Matt was intoxicating, and—

“There you are,” a voice said, and the moment between them shattered as Kate stepped back and looked up to see her ex-husband standing there. Her entire body felt like it had been drenched in ice water, while next to her Matt's dark eyes were knitted together in confusion.

“Harry? What are you doing here?” Kate croaked as she stared at his purple pants and orange paisley shirt, which clashed and made his ash-blond hair look like it needed a good cut. Of all the nightmares in all the world, why did she have to step into this one?

When she'd first met Harry, she'd been in awe of his chiseled jaw and cheekbones, his brilliant green eyes and his bohemian style that made him stand out anywhere. But now as she compared him to Matt, all she could see was that Harry's belly had a small paunch to it and his eyes had huge bags under them. He was also the only thing guaranteed to ruin her night.

“I was invited, of course. After all, the Petersons are well-known art collectors and I'm a well-known artist,” Harry said before frowning. “Though I must say that you kept your latest commission to yourself. I had no idea you were even being interviewed for it. I guess congratulations are in order.”

“I guess they are,” Matt said in a calm voice, which belied nothing of their previous exchange, and for a moment Kate's stomach twisted.

“And you are?” Harry puffed his chest out in a way she knew only too well.

“Harry Hamilton, this is Matt Hunter. Matt, this is my ex-husband,” Kate mumbled, not quite able to look at either of
them. How had this happened? Was this the universe's way of making sure that she didn't get too happy? Because if so it was doing a class-A job.

“Ex-husband?” Matt choked, and Kate wondered what the chances were of the floor opening up in front of her.

She'd first met Harry when she was twenty-one and he was her lecturer at Northern Skies Art College. Back then she'd been riveted by everything that came out of his mouth. Her mother had been horrified to hear Kate was getting married to a man fifteen years her senior. But Kate hadn't listened. She'd been in love with Harry, his decadent lifestyle and eclectic taste. But more than anything, when Harry had told her he didn't want children, she'd believed him.

In other words, he was a safe bet.

Or so she'd thought, but then he'd run off with the girl from the copy shop and now had a bouncy baby with her. He claimed that he'd only intended to have an affair but after his mistress became pregnant he realized just how much he wanted a family. Kate didn't know what had been the hardest thing to hear—that her husband was leaving her because he'd changed his mind about her, or because he'd changed his mind about wanting a child. What she did know was that she couldn't trust any man to keep his word.

They might say they didn't want kids, but it didn't mean it was true.

She shook her head. It was no use worrying about the past. She was trying as hard as she could to live in the present.

And in this particular present, she didn't want her ex-husband hanging around. Especially when she'd just been about to kiss another man.

“Yes, he's my ex-husband who's just leaving,” Kate said in a firm voice.

“No, I'm not. I want to look at the Petersons' latest collection.” Harry peered over at a selection of single-color paintings that were covering the walls. “It's by Matikle. I find the subtle use of color fascinating and a real statement of the artist's concern with the environment.”

Kate listened to his flat voice droning on in the condescending manner she used to find so intimidating and wondered what she'd ever seen in him. Of course, if she'd seen him standing next to Matt when she'd first met him, she never would have fallen for his fake charm and lies.

“Oh shut up, Harry,” she said finally, causing him to stop mid-sentence and stare at her. “It's a piece of four-by-four painted in red vinyl house paint. It's about as interesting as watching mold grow. Perhaps you should spend more time at home with your new wife and child and less time admiring pretentious art.”

“You used to like me talking to you about art,” Harry finally responded in a sulky voice.

“But you weren't talking to me, you were talking at me,” Kate pointed out, not quite sure where all of her bravery was coming from. Though she did wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that her skin was still buzzing with the sensation of being so close to Matt.

“That's not true. All I was trying to do was educate you. And the whole point of Matikle's work is to guide the viewer through an experience.”

“Actually,” Matt corrected, “I think the point is that Kate's asked you to leave.”

“What?” Harry spluttered, but instead of answering, Matt just stood his ground and after several seconds Harry muttered something about saying hello to Charles and then wandered off, a scowl plastered across his face.

Once he was gone Kate carefully studied her fingernails while Matt rubbed his chin and looked perplexed. It was hard to say if it was because of Harry's overbearing personality or the fact that she had an ex-husband. Or perhaps both. It reminded her of just why she hadn't wanted to date again. Because it involved talking about things that she had no wish to talk about.

“So, ex-husband, huh?” Matt finally spoke. His dark eyes were wide and there was an air of confusion around his mouth. “I'm guessing that's the bad breakup that you mentioned.”

“Yeah.” Kate forced herself to look up at him as a sickening sensation thudded in her chest. “It's kind of a long story but we've been divorced for a year now. It—it's not something I tend to talk about very often. Or at all.”

“Of course, and I'm sorry if it sounded like I was judging you. I guess I was just a bit surprised. You two look so . . . different.”

“Trust me, you're not the first person who ever said that. Or the last,” Kate added with a sigh as she thought of everyone who'd tried to warn her against marrying a guy so much older than her. But they hadn't been able to understand that Harry had been the only person who had ever made her feel safe. Of course, that changed the moment he'd left her. She looked up to where Matt was still studying her face, as if searching for answers to his unasked questions. “Are you mad that I didn't tell you about him?”

“Mad? No, definitely not.” Matt ran a hand through his hair before giving her a boyish smile. “Though I must admit I usually like to know if there's an ex in the vicinity before I kiss someone.”

“Trust me, if I thought for one minute that Harry would've been here, I never would've come. Not for all the commissions in China,” Kate said before living the full horror of it all over again in her mind. “I think I'm cursed.”

“Hardly,” Matt said in a stern voice. “You were invited here as a guest of honor and have just received an amazing commission. The only curse was that we came here under the guise of a non-date.”

“Oh.” Kate's mouth went dry and she tried not to mind. After all, Matt was just being brave enough to say what they both knew was true. That the whole thing had been a mistake. She lowered her head and gripped at the small evening purse. “I mean, yes, you're right. Dating was a bad idea. In fact, if you don't mind I think I'd like to go home.”

“What? No.” Matt looked at her in alarm before shaking his head. “That's not what I meant at all. What I was trying—very badly—to say was that the idea of winging it and pretending that we weren't on a date was a bad idea. Think about it. If we'd gone to a restaurant we would've talked all night and I'm sure that somewhere along the way Harry's name would've come up. Then I might've told you about Maxine—career-obsessed lawyer who refused to turn her iPhone off—and maybe after trading some bad dating antidotes then we would've kissed. Just imagine how much easier that would've been.”

Kate's throat went dry at the idea of kissing him without interruption.

The feel of his mouth against hers, his smell invading her nostrils. His arms around her waist. Then she realized that Matt was looking at her expectantly, waiting for a reply.

“Wh-what are you saying?”

“I'm saying let's start this night again properly. As a real date. And if you still want to go home, then I'll drive you, no questions asked. Hell, I'll even let you pick up a tub of ice cream to drown your sorrows,” he said as he unleashed his dimples and tightened his grip on her hand. A shockwave of emotions raced down her arm, and while part of her knew she should say no, when she looked into his eyes she realized there was a hint of uncertainty and pain, and part of her longed to make it go away. Plus, the idea of being able to kiss him at the end of the night was its own reward.

“But it's after ten at night. I think your French restaurant will be closed,” Kate protested, still feeling the tug of logic and lust race through her body.

“Are you suggesting that I didn't have a backup plan in case of just such an emergency?” He arched an eyebrow and gave her a smile that did wicked things to her heart rate. “Where is the faith?”

Kate found herself returning the smile as she nodded her head. “Fine. Let's try the second version of this date and if it doesn't work out I'm holding you to the ice cream.”

“You can hold me to whatever you want, neighbor.” Matt gave her a lavish smile and Kate's heart hammered in her chest. It looked like she was really going to do this.

“This was your backup plan?” Kate said half an hour later as they stood in the tiny hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant that Matt hadn't been to since his student days. Thankfully, not only was it still open, with a spare Formica table tucked into the corner, but they still had row after row of sushi in the glass cabinet that ran the length of the ancient counter. It was also the least glamorous place he'd ever taken anyone on a date, but the smile on Kate's face let him know that she approved.

“Does this mean I don't have to buy you a tub of ice cream?” He passed her a plastic tray so that she could start selecting her food. As she leaned forward, the red dress did sinful things to his pulse. But despite the way it hugged the swell of her breasts before skimming her waist and flaring out at her hips Kate seemed indifferent to the fact that she looked like someone who'd just stepped off the red carpet. Instead her face was a picture of happiness as she made her first selection. Never had he been so turned on.

“Don't get ahead of yourself,” she warned, but her mouth was turned up into a small smile and Matt felt absurdly pleased that he'd been able to help loosen the cloud of worry that had descended upon her after seeing Harry. Not that he could blame her. From what he could tell her ex-husband was self-obsessed and arrogant and Matt had taken an instant dislike to him. Of course, that might've had something to do with the discovery that Kate even had an ex-husband, let alone one who obviously couldn't see just how amazing she was. No wonder she'd been so cautious to start dating again.

“Are you saying that you can't be wooed by a California roll with a rabbit face in the middle of it?” Matt arched an eyebrow and he was rewarded with a throaty laugh.

“Okay, so I'm not immune to the rabbit,” she confessed as she took the plate from him and added it to her tray before they paid and made their way to the far table, squeezing past the collection of students, backpackers and partygoers who were all merrily enjoying the food. Once they were settled Kate looked up and gave him a softer smile. “And thank you for not asking any questions about Harry.”

“Hey, that's not my place.” Matt passed her the soy sauce and studied her face. Her rowdy curls had managed to escape their confines and were now framing her face while her lips were pressed together in concentration. Matt's pulse quickened. Never had he seen anyone look more gorgeous than now, and he had to suck in a breath of air to steady himself. “Though, just out of blatant self-interest, is there still anything between you two?”

“No, we're definitely done. It was probably the part where he got another girl pregnant and dumped me like a hot potato after six months,” Kate said before clamping down her mouth. “Sorry. I guess I still have some residual anger.”

“He cheated on you?” Matt spluttered, unsure whether to be outraged or confused. “I mean, sure, I didn't like the look of him, but I didn't think he was stupid. I'm sorry you had to go through it. It must've been tough.”

For a moment she was silent before she slowly nodded her head. “It wasn't ideal. But then again, maybe it wasn't ideal for him either. I mean I'm not exactly the housewife of the century, as you might've noticed when you were around there
the other day.”

“All I noticed was someone working hard to rebuild their life and fulfil their dreams,” Matt said in a firm voice, determined to be nothing like her scumbag ex-husband. Besides, it was true, since the initial chaos had quickly faded from his mind compared to the memories of Kate herself. In fact, as he watched the way her chest rose and fell in the dress, he wasn't even sure he could remember his first name.

“Matt,” she said. Oh yes. That was it. “You're a terrible liar.” He then watched in fascination as her cheeks reddened and she suddenly busied herself with one of the pieces of origami paper that had been stacked at the counter for customer use, twisting and turning it into a series of triangles, as if she was trying to hide her nerves. Never had she looked more adorable, and again Matt couldn't help but think what a fool her ex-husband had been.

“Okay, so I also noticed that you had a unique filing system, but as long as you know where everything is, then that's all that matters,” he said, sensing that she wanted to change the subject.

“Right,” she said, a bemused expression dancing in her eyes as she continued to fold. “So, tell me how you even found this place.”

“It's a long sordid story of a misspent youth,” Matt said, forcing himself to stop staring at the way her long fingers deftly worked on the paper before finally producing a tiny origami swan. Suddenly he understood that Kate didn't just like art, she was art. From the clutter of brushes in her studio through to the way she dragged her hair back into a ponytail, using only a pencil to secure it in place. Then he realized she was looking at him expectantly, waiting for more of an answer. “Okay, not really. Keith called me one night while he was on a date. He'd done a magic trick that I'd taught him but it hadn't worked, and he insisted that the only way the date would be saved was if I came down and showed her how it was really done.”

“You do magic?” Kate settled the swan onto the side of his plate and blinked, much like he'd told her that he had a part-time job as Santa. Then she flushed, as if realizing what she'd just said. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”

“It's okay. Part of the magician's skill is to disguise his appearance. Besides, you're not the only one who can do tricks,” Matt assured her with a straight face as he picked up the origami swan before reaching over to her ear. The trick was to then slide it down his sleeve and replace it with the dollar bill that he'd taken out of his pocket. But as his thumb grazed the side of her lobe a rush of desire hurtled through his body. He clamped down on his mouth to stop himself from leaning forward and kissing her and instead somehow managed to jerkily finish the trick as he presented her with the dollar bill.

“That's amazing.” Kate held the dollar up into the air, seemingly oblivious to just what an effect her presence was having on him. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“My uncle taught me,” Matt said before wincing. Why had he just said that? He never talked about his uncle, not to anyone, and suddenly busied himself with letting the origami swan slip back down his sleeve so that he could put into his pocket.

“Is everything okay?” Kate put down the dollar bill, her eyes wide with concern. “Did I say something wrong?”

“It's fine.” Matt sucked in his breath and shook his head. “He died five years ago.”

“I'm so sorry.” Kate's face immediately softened. “Were you close?”

“Not really.” Matt gave an adamant shake of his head, not sure who he was trying to convince. “I'm named after him and, according to my dad, we were the spitting image of each other. But he moved to New York when he was in his twenties with just a dream and a few bucks in his pocket, and by the time Emma and I were small, he was so caught up in his business that he hardly ever got back to Seattle. In fact for years all we really knew about him was that he'd get his housekeeper to send us an expensive gift basket every holiday. My father would sometimes call and beg him to come back for a visit, but he never did.”

“So, where does the magic fit in?” Kate wrinkled her nose and Matt tried not to be distracted by what a cute nose it was.

“Well, when I did a summer internship in New York, he invited me to stay. Most of the time we just left notes on the fridge, but one night we got talking about magic, and that's when he showed me some tricks. I left the next day and after that, things went back to normal. No phone calls, no letters, just back to an annual gift basket right up until he died.”

“That's so sad.” Kate leaned forward, her dark eyes sparkling with sympathy.

“I guess, though my father always said that my uncle was happy with his choice.”

“No.” She shook her head, sending one of her curls tumbling down her alabaster neck. “Not just for him, but for you. It sounds like you had a real connection that one summer. You must've felt abandoned. Your whole family must've. I mean, your uncle made a decision to move and follow his dreams but it sounds like he did so at the expense of having a relationship with the people who loved him.”

“Oh.” Matt paused to consider it. Most of the time when he thought about his uncle Mathew, it was with determination to not follow in his footsteps rather than considering that his rejection of them as a family might've left another kind of scar. “I'd never thought of it like that before, but I guess you're right. How did you even know?”

“Nothing. No reason.” Kate quickly shook her head, but it was impossible for him to miss the flash of darkness that flickered across her face. He silently swore under his breath. She knew because Harry had walked out on her and stepped straight into a new life with a new family. Please, could someone just hand him his Insensitive Bastard award right now?

“Kate, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you think of what happened.”

“You didn't,” she said in a firm voice, which, while not exactly convincing, did let him know that she didn't want to discuss it further. “S-so, tell me more about this magic. Do you still do it?”

“Not very often,” he admitted while longing to reach across the table and smooth away the frown. Instead he contented himself with passing her a juice box since that was all that the restaurant sold by way of drinks. “Though I must admit that it comes in handy when I want to impress the ladies,” he quipped, and was rewarded with another one of Kate's throaty laughs as she accepted the juice box. Suddenly all of his business achievements paled in comparison to putting the smile back on her face.

“Is that why you keep your apartment so neat? In case a stray lady wanders by?” she teased.

“Actually, that's more of an occupational hazard,” Matt admitted. “I don't like a lot of clutter because it doesn't just
build physical barriers, it builds mental barriers. It stops people getting in.”

“So, considering how neat you are you must be an open book,” she said, her voice suddenly husky, and Matt felt another sense of longing burn in him.

“I like to think I am,” he said as he realized how far forward she was leaning across the Formica table. Without thinking he mirrored her until his face was just inches from hers, their uneaten food still covering the table. “You can ask me anything you like and I'll give you an honest answer.”

“Really?” Her mouth parted and Matt found himself fascinated by her small white teeth. What would they be like pressed against his skin?

“Really,” he agreed as his hand reached across the table and found her fingers. She immediately shuddered and let out a soft sigh.

“What about kissing?” she asked, her voice low. “What are your thoughts on kissing?”

“I'm a fan. Definitely.” Matt's heart pounded as he realized she was giving him an open invitation. He didn't need to be asked twice, and he leaned forward so that his mouth could find hers. All he'd planned to do was give her a soft peck, at least while they were in such a public space, but the moment their lips met, something exploded in his chest. Her mouth was soft and inviting and tiny waves of pleasure raced through him as he kissed her a second time, a third. Kate tasted of juice box and sushi and something indescribable and as her mouth opened for his, he let out a soft moan.

His fingers tightened around hers as he moved farther across the table, desperate to be closer, and it wasn't until he heard someone coughing in the distance that the bubble they were both in shattered and he pulled back. His mouth felt bereft without hers and he blinked as he slowly looked around and realized that all eyes were on them.

“Kate, not that I'm complaining, but I just realized we're making out in a sushi restaurant.”

“Oh.” She slowly pulled away from him and followed his gaze, a small gasp escaping from her delicately wide mouth. “I—I guess we should stop.”

“Or.” He stood to his feet and reached for her hand, trying to maintain his self-control as best he could. “Or we could go home and not stop.”

“Yes.” Her words were little more than a muffle as she tightened her grip. “I like your idea much better. Let's go.”

“Are you sure?” he said as he helped slip his dinner jacket back over her exposed shoulders.

“I've never been more sure of anything in my life.”