Authors: Monica Miller
“Maybe he’s enjoying his freedom,” he replied as he took a bite of a cookie he found on the kitchen counter. “This is amazing, Mrs. West, seriously.”
Mom nodded and smiled at him and I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, plus he started working at that company as an account assistant last month, and I don’t think he has that much time…”
“And he’s living by himself now and I definitely don’t want to see my house now,” Matt said with a laugh.
“What do you mean by that, Matthew?”
“Um… Rick’s living with us, Mrs. West, didn’t you know that?”
“Oh, really?” mom asked and gave me a questioning look and I shrugged. Didn’t Rick mention this before? I thought she knew. I could’ve bet she knew. “So how is this working for you?”
“It’s great. Rick’s just awesome and we get along really well.”
“So do you have three rooms?”
“Um… No, he usually keeps all his stuff in my room and I don’t know. He likes the couch I guess. We haven’t actually figured that one yet,” I replied and then it hit me.
My mom actually thought Matt and I… What?
I turned to look at Matt who was still eating my mom’s cookies and he didn’t seem to care about what she said and he didn’t even think about it.
“So how come you and Emma never dated?” mom asked out of the blue and Matt choke with a cookie while my eyes widened at her question.
What was wrong with her? She can’t ask something like this while we’re both present! I’m not invisible, for Christ’s sake! I’m right here and Matt is, too. I can’t even realize why both of our parents keep insisting for us to be together. Yes, it’s nice and I’m glad they see it this way, because now I do, too, but somehow I know if something happens they won’t be pleased. And I don’t want Matt’s parents to think I’m a problem for him or my parents to start disliking Matt. And my father would stop golfing with Matt’s dad; mom would get mean with Mrs. Nicholls…
“I don’t know,” Matt said a couple of long, interminable minutes. “I think it’s Emma’s fault. She doesn’t seem to understand just how great I am, Mrs. West. Sometimes that’s truly annoying,” he said with a shrug and mom laughed.
I stared at him in disbelief but he didn’t even notice while he kept talking with my mom about other stuff. How did he even dare to joke about something like this? Was that even a joke?
“Stop overthinking again, Ems,” Matt whispered in my ear and I jumped because I didn’t even notice him sitting next to me. “I swear, you’re thinking
way
too much,” he whispered and I turned and look at my mom who was busy with the meat.
“I-I wasn’t, I just…”
“I know you, remember? You can’t lie to me,” Matt said and I nodded slightly as he touched my cheek and smiled. “But you’re just so cute,” he added and I rolled my eyes.
“Stop saying I’m cute,” I whispered and he laughed.
“But yet you are.”
“You could be cute, too. Especially when-“
“Stop it. I’m not even close to ‘
cute’
. That’s not my description at all, Emma,” he said with a harsh tone. “You can’t call a man ‘
cute’
. It’s just outrageous!”
“You see, that’s cute,” I said with a laugh and he glared at me which made this funnier.
“You see, you’re definitely gonna pay for this,” Matt threatened me and I continued laughing as mom asked me to help her with the sauce.
Chapter 22
An Unexpected Confession
~
M
att
N
icholls ~
“You know what I learned from that thing with Kath?” I asked Emma while playing with a strand of her curly hair.
“Um… That girls who have brains, and they’re not stupid blondes and their name doesn’t start with “S” are hot, too?” she asked casually.
“What? No! What about that one?”
“You definitely have a pattern there,” she pointed and I laughed. She was right, but I never took the time to think about it. “And she was so great.”
“I agree with that. But I never thought about this stereotype. But it seems you have given it a thought, right, Ems?” I teased her and she shifted uncomfortable next to me.
“I have not,” she whispered and I started laughing.
“You have too,” I said, and pulled her closer to me. “God, we should come here more often,” I said and she nodded. Her head was now on my chest and I wondered whether she was thinking about the fact that my heart beats faster every time she laughs or looks at me. “We could really spend some time together here.”
“Yeah, I mean it’s not like we live together in L.A. or that we work together or have the same group of friends. We should try that one and see how it all works out, you know,” she said sarcastically.
“You’re so funny, you know that?” I asked and she started laughing. “You know what I mean, Ems. We can be ourselves here.”
She shifted until her face was a few inches on mine and our eyes were locked together and she smiled. I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and she leaned to me and kissed me.
This is one of my favorite moments. Just staying with Emma on the back of my parents’ convertible car and allowing the cold air of the night take everything away. I couldn’t feel the cold anyway, since Emma was in my arms and I held her so tight like she’d go away if I let go.
The last few weeks have been unbelievable. I never thought Katerine would be right about this, but Emma and I were perfect together. Everything was going so great I hated myself for letting her ignore me the last five years. I played along all the time, thinking I’d ruin it, but it wasn’t like that at all. We knew each other too well and that was an asset.
I have no idea what will happen when we’ll go back to L.A., but I obviously wouldn’t change a second of our time here in Connecticut or in New York.
Emma was more beautiful than ever, if that is possible. I’ve always known she had the most beautiful smile in the world, but when she looked at me and smiled, my whole world became a better place. The way her brown eyes sparkled or how she blushed every time I compliment her, the way her hand fits perfectly mine, the way we kiss…
“I know what you mean,” she said when she pulled away. “So you miss her? Katerine?”
“What?” I asked in complete disbelief and leaned onto my elbow to look at Emma.
She looked rather serious, although the question was stupid. We’ve been spending the last two weeks together and I never thought about anyone else and if I did, I thought Katerine was right about me and Emma. Not that I missed her or anything. I didn’t miss Katerine at all.
“What?” she repeated avoiding my eyes, “I was just asking.”
“Of course I don’t miss Katerine. I’m Matt Nicholls,” I replied out of reflex. She rolled her eyes and I laughed. “Plus, I have here everything I want,” I shrugged and Emma stared at me in shock. “What?”
She shrugged as well and continued, “So what did you realized while dating Kate? That you are mature enough to have a normal relationship with a great girl?”
“Oh, shut it, Ems, I’ll never be mature enough.”
“True story,” she replied and I took her hand in mine. She moved closer to me, and placed her head on my chest again. I smiled to myself and slowly caressed her back.
“No, I learned that you never know what you have until you lose it, you know?”
“So Kate made Mr. Matt glass heart Nicholls feel something?” she asked and laughed.
“Nope,” I answered. “You did, actually,” I continued and I felt her body stiffen when I said that. “It’s true, Ems. I mean you’re the only girl I ever got to know and actually liked afterwards.”
“So you like me?” she asked looking at me with a teasing face.
“No, I just have to accept you around once in a while. Not like I see you every day or something,” I answered her sarcastically, just like she did earlier.
“Ha,” Emma said and I pulled her head closer and kissed her.
She relaxed a little bit and I felt my heart beating even faster as our kiss deepened.
We stood there for hours, just talking and looking at the shining stars. I never thought I’d feel so comfortable with a girl, but then again she was Emma and we knew each other too well.
And after all, I guess that’s it. Finding that person you know so well and despite everything, think she’s flawless. And I’ve
always
thought that way about Emma.
It’s like this when you know you found the one, and I remember that the first time I saw Emma I froze and my heart started beating quite fast, and every time I tried to express my feelings towards her I just couldn’t, I was stuttering like a stupid jackass and I was immature, like I wasn’t capable of speaking or something. I don’t recognize myself around her. I’m completely different since I met her. I’m a better person thanks to Emma and my world’s better thanks to her. And I can’t lose the hope that everything would be great in the end.
She was having her head on my chest while I played with a curly strand of her hair and we said nothing for quite a while, but it was a comfortable silence. It must be past midnight, because there is nobody around anymore and the air is rather chilly.
I felt her breathing so peacefully next to me and I sighed. I never thought anyone could be as perfect as she was.
“Emma?” I whispered softly.
“Mm?” she asked and I knew she was half asleep.
“I love you,” I whispered again and she didn’t say anything, she just muttered “mhm” and I realized she was completely asleep now.
And there goes my moment.
Chapter 23
Misery
~
M
att
N
icholls ~
It was only because of Emma’s amazing luck that we got into a night flight. Again. When she heard the only flight to L.A. was a night flight, she almost said she would walk or drive. I couldn’t let her do that, plus I knew she was terrified by the fact that we will fly again, and I couldn’t miss an opportunity to tease her.
Yes, I know I’m a horrible person because I love her and I shouldn’t do that, but I just can’t help it. And I’m a guy, and guys’ main job is to tease girls. Especially when they’re into them. It comes naturally.
She paced around the airport all the time, even though I promised her there was nothing to worry about.
“You know, I could just… stay here, you know? Maybe dad would agree to drive me to L.A. sometime next week,” she said with a shrug.
“Ems, we’re not the only people in the world who will have a night flight, okay? Stop worrying.”
“It’s not just flying with an airplane which thinks by itself, it’s flying at night now!” she complained and sat next to me on the uncomfortable bench in Bradley International Airport.
I took her hand in mine and she sighed and for a moment she stopped complaining.
“I hate flying,” Emma whispered like a five year old and I couldn’t help but laugh. She was way too sweet. “You’re a jerk,” she added and punched me.
“Why?” I asked placing my arm around her shoulders protectively and pulling her closer to me.
“Because… you’re laughing. You shouldn’t laugh, Matthew, a lot of people die while flying at night.”
“Yes, if you’re in a movie called
Final Destination
,” I joked and she rolled her eyes.
“A lot of them died on a plane!” she continued and I laughed.
“Yes, but Alex warned them in the first one, didn’t he? I loved the end of the fifth one. Don’t you think it would’ve been interesting if the guy got out of the plane as well as Alex?”
“Stop talking about planes,” Emma hissed and I sighed.
“Nothing happened when we went to New York, right? It all will be okay, baby.”
“Promise?” she asked with the same five year old voice.
“Of course, love,” I told her, and she placed her head on my shoulder and I smiled.
“I can’t wait to see Rick. And Monica. Have I told you she texted me today?” she asked and I shook my head. “Yes, she said I
must
come back soon, and didn’t add anything else,” Emma added with a shrug. “What do you think happened?”
“Maybe she had an argument with Ben about… I don’t know, moving a chair in the house or something? I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Yes… I mean, Monica and Ben are the greatest couple, right?”
“Hmm… Yeah, you could say that, but I think we’re somehow greater than them. Just because I’m better than Ben,” I said and Emma laughed. “And clearly you’re cuter than Monica. Nicer. Smarter…”
“Okay, I got it,” she said with a laugh and she ran her hand through her hair.
“You’re cute, Emma,” I said and kissed her.
“Stop it…” she complained and I laughed.
When we got into the plane I let her have the window seat and then she took my hand in hers and I smiled and placed my hand around her protectively as she kissed me. Obviously every half an hour she’d complain about the turbulence or the fact that we’re flying way too fast, or too slow and something was definitely going on…
At least this time I wasn’t tired as I was last time, and I knew I couldn’t sleep on the plane so I slept more than 10 hours last night. It wasn’t like I had anything to do anyway. It sucked that I had to stay so many days without Emma.
I managed to convince my mom and dad to solve their problems by going to a counselor and they had to realize they had so many things they just couldn’t give up. Like the fact that they were together for nearly 30 years now and that’s something.
“I think you’ll be just like us with Emma in 30 years,” mom said and my eyes widened as I realized that she knew something was going on between us.
“No, I…”
“Seriously, you can’t fool me, Matthew,” mom said and dad nodded, and then rolled his eyes. “Stop making a fool of yourself, David,” she continued and turned to look at me. “You really are perfect for each other. And she’s smart, sweet and you’ve known her since high school… I mean, her high school. She’s perfect for you,” mom said with a smile.
“Yes, I just hope I won’t ruin this.”
“You won’t!” mom said at the same time dad said “You will,” and I started laughing.
“I know I will. It’s just… Too good to be true and I… I think I love her.”
“Seriously?” mom asked in complete disbelief. “That is so cute!” she said and dad and I rolled our eyes. “She’s amazing, and I love her, too. Can you imagine just how beautiful your kids would look like?”