On Me (Matt Sturniolo)

19

The chatting inside the restaurant was getting louder by the minute as people laughed out loud, talking to their families or even business partners.

My mind was wondering, if I had to watch Nate and Rachel practically feed each other for a second longer, I was going to throw up everywhere.

"Miss?"

Cut off from my thoughts, I saw Matt's glass had been topped up with red wine beside mine, and the waiter was asking if I wanted some.

I covered my glass with my hand, smiling at him.

"Oh no, thank you. I've had enough"

"Crazy" Matt mumbled, his long fingers wrapping themselves around my wrist and taking my glass. "She'll have more. Top her up, please"

"Matt-" I sighed, but the way he looked at me, softened me.

"Come on. You had one glass. You're on holiday, enjoy it" he shrugged and leaned backwards. "I mean, I'll need more alcohol if I have to watch these two for any longer"

I smiled, knowing he was getting just as annoyed as I was.

The waiter stood, waiting for my nod to pour more wine, when I looked up and felt Matt's glare on me.

I nodded, sliding my glass across the table to reach the waiter who balanced the bottle with one hand.

"That's more like it" Matt teased, grabbing his glass and holding it mid air. "A toast?"

"To what?" I asked, reaching for mine.

He hummed. "How about these two?"

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who's noticed" I laughed, our glasses clinking.

"I've noticed" Matt smiled. "Did you like dinner?"

"It was lovely, thank you" I whispered, sipping my wine. "Did you?"

He nodded. "Madz?"

"Yeah?" I asked, knowing the elephant in the room was just about to stomp and explode like a ticking time bomb.

"Are you still mad at me?" He asked

He stared at me, pleased that he caught me off guard, knowing I wouldn't be able to worm my way out of this one.

"I'm not mad"

"You're not?" He asked. "Really?"

"You sound surprised?"

"Yeah..." he exhaled. "I thought you were still pissed at me"

I knew this conversation was going to happen, I just didn't want it to be in front of Nate and Rachel..but seeing as they were currently attached to each other's faces and weren't paying attention to anyone but themselves.

"I wasn't pissed at you" I corrected him. "I just wasn't expecting you to walk through my door when I was having the worst day of my life"

"I told you...I'll be there whenever you need me" he mumbled. "But, you could have fooled me...especially when I was threatening to drag you on the plane" he laughed, smiling.

"Well you've always been persistent, ever since I met you"

"That's fair" he laughed. "I just...I can't help but feel like we're making small talk"

"Small talk?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Yeah...you've been avoiding me since we got here, except for that moment we had on the plane...then you don't answer my calls or texts. Why?"