Despite growing up together, Catherine Simmons and Mattis Reed were never close.
Cat was inseparable from Mattis' younger sister, Chloé, while he was busy running around on the football field.
But when Cat's new dream drags her across the country du...
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The door opens, revealing a shocked Ava and an amused Emmy.
Whatever had compelled me to lie on my bed next to Mattis and then look at him like that evaporates, leaving my mind scarily clear.
I sit up so quickly my head spins as if we were just caught red-handed. I'm sure the expression on my face is exceedingly guilty.
"Hi, guys." I try to smile, but the way Emmy's lips curls indicates I might look slightly deranged. Instead, I wave my hand like an awkward imbecile.
Ava's mouth hangs open, eyes jumping from Mattis to me and back again. "Um, hi... Are you ready for the... Er, movie thing?"
Right. We're continuing the Marvel Marathon today. I'd totally forgotten. Mattis showing up had scrambled my poor brain.
"Yeah." I nod enthusiastically, hoping it'll cover up my forgetfulness. Then I turn to Mattis. "We're going to watch the Guardians of the Galaxy movies tonight. Do you want to join?"
He's raised himself up on his elbows, but he's not looking at me. His eyes are trained on Emmy standing in the doorway. His chin is sticking out, and his eyes are stormy.
"Matt?"
"Yeah, sure, Kitty," he mumbles and turns his gaze to me, his expression softening a bit.
I glance at Emmy, but his arms are crossed over his chest, a self-satisfied expression on his face. There is a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Alright. I think we need to order more pizza then," I say as I get up from the bed and walk into the living room.
This night is going to be so strange.
We eat on the couch as we start the first movie. I end up between Mattis and Emmy, squashed by their big shoulders. Then, like any other movie night, we pull out the blankets.
We only have two, so we share. Ava and Emmy under one and me and Mattis under the other.
In the month I've known Emmy, I've become intensely comfortable around him. He often joins Ava and me on nights like this, and we usually cuddle all three of us. So, I automatically scoot towards him, trying to give Mattis some space.
Physical affection has always come easily to me, both with male and female friends. Especially with guys like Emmy, who I know won't take it the wrong way or try to take advantage of my trust.
But for some reason, it's different with Mattis. If Emmy puts his arm around me, it just feels comfortable and safe, but if Mattis touches me for a second, my whole body buzzes with awareness, and my mind goes hazy and disoriented like I've been drugged.
I don't trust myself under those circumstances.
And I don't want to make Mattis uncomfortable. The weird moment in my bedroom aside, ever since he realized who I was, he's made no indication that this is anything but friendship. The last thing I need is for him to think I'm trying to hit on him.
