Matt: Just in case you've forgotten, it's the one where we bonded over The 120 Days of Sodom.
Matt: Pun intended.
"What's that face?"
I glanced up from my phone, finding Nico watching me with a concerned expression.
Tucking my cell back in my purse, I shrugged. "It's just my face."
I'd left my parents' house after breakfast on Sunday, returned the car, and walked the few blocks to Quinn's building. Nico, Fiona, and I were at Nico and Elizabeth's place, putting finishing touches on the food and drinks for dinner. It was Sunday night and Fiona decided to throw an impromptu dinner party. Not wanting to leave Janie out, Fiona, Nico, and I had prepared the food at Elizabeth's penthouse with plans to carry it over to Quinn and Janie's to serve.
"Sorry. I promise, I'm not the smile police. But who was that?" The tall Italian glanced at Fiona and then lifted his head toward my purse. "Was that work? Is something wrong?"
I shook my head, affixing an unconcerned smile on my features. "No. It was Matt."
"What's going on with you two?" This question came from Fiona; she looked confused. "Every time I ask Matt about it he says you're working on a story together."
"That's true." I rolled a rectangle of melon in a slice of prosciutto, then placed it on the tray, pushing away my raw, prickly feelings.
"It's more than that," Nico accused. "Look at her. She's blushing. That always means something sexy is happening."
That made me laugh even though I didn't feel like laughing.
He pointed at me and looked to Fiona, as though appealing to her. "And now giggling? See?"
"I see it." She watched me with a pensive non-expression.
"Now what's wrong with you?" Nico asked Fiona. "Why do you look worried?"
Her eyes cut to him. "Do I?"
"Yes," I answered for him, giving her a questioning look.
She stared at me for a beat, then picked up the stuffed tenderloin she'd just finished covering in foil and handed it-oven mitts and everything-to Nico. "Take this next door, please. And tell them we'll be finished in just a few more minutes."
He glanced between the two of us. "I see what's going on here. Don't think I don't know what's going on."
"You boys have your secrets, us girls have ours." Fiona gave him a patient smile. "Goodbye, Nicoletta."
Releasing a grumbly sigh, Nico mumbled something under his breath about Dan and Kat, and then left the kitchen. Fiona didn't speak again until she heard the door to the apartment shut.
"How much do you know about Matt?"
I struggled for how best to respond, finally deciding on, "We're not dating, Fiona. We're just friends."
And I wasn't sure I even wanted us to be that anymore. Being just friends with Matt had been fine and dandy until I had to witness him being more than friends with someone else.
"Has he told you he was married?"
"Yes," I admitted freely. "He also said he isn't interested in long-term relationships." I tried to sound matter-of-fact.
"Good. I'm glad he's being honest with you," she said, her eyes betraying a hint of concern. "You should believe him."
Licking my suddenly dry lips, I rolled another piece of melon in the prosciutto. "Yes. He's been very honest with me."
Something in my tone must've alerted her to how I was feeling, because she softened her voice as she asked, "And he told you about his old job? Wanting him back?"
My head snapped up and I stared at her, my mouth working for a few seconds before I managed, "What?"
Fiona rubbed her belly absentmindedly. "He told Greg they're pushing him pretty hard about it, offering him stock options and his own laboratory, his own dedicated line budget. Did he tell you that?"
I had to shake my head, because he hadn't told me.
Fiona crossed to me and placed her hand on my arm, tugging me so we were facing each other. "Hey. Talk to me."
I had the sudden urge to sit down. "I don't really know what to say."
Was he leaving?
Was he going to tell me?
Why hadn't he told me already?
Her probing stare intensified. "Did something happen? You seemed out of sorts on Friday night when we got home."
I laughed. Not a crazy laugh, more like a tired, sad, irritated-with-myself laugh, and crossed to the kitchen table, sinking into a chair. "I've been deluding myself for a few weeks, letting my hopes run away from me, but I'm honestly fine now."
As Fiona sat in the seat next to mine, I gave her the CliffsNotes version of what had occurred, including the visit to my parents' house and my mother's sage advice. I did, however, leave out my brother's hypothesis. I hadn't decided what to think about that yet.