Exposed

Chapter Four

I glance up from the paperwork crowding my desk, seeing movement on my relatively empty floor. I can spot Matteo's graceful stride anywhere. I watch Hugh rise slowly from his desk outside my door. He turns to me abruptly, jaw gaped.

"Oh my - fuck, he's hot," Hugh hisses, turning back in time to beam at Matteo, who is now approaching the desk. I stand, straightening my skirt and wave awkwardly to catch his eye. Matteo nods and acknowledges Hugh passing by with a nod, who in reaction presses his hand to his lips, sinking back down into his chair.

"This is a surprise," I say as he walks right up to me, clasping my neck. My knees buckle when lips land on mine, confidant and sure. I can almost feel Hugh's eyes pouring into the room through the open door.

Matteo pulls back after all of my nerves have deteriorated. "It didn't occur to me until we had separated that I don't have your phone number."

"Oh." I chuckle, shaking my head. "Right, I should probably give you that."

His eyes wander around my new office space, which he is seeing for the first time. "You're in the big leagues, Em. This place is huge."

"First day in it," I say, puffing my chest out proudly. "I can't wait to clutter it up a bit. It's too open, cold right now. Maybe I need a picture of you, to keep in here for the late nights."

"A picture? Um..."

"I'm getting a picture of you, Giordano."

"I'll settle for one with the both of us in it."

"Fine," I concede, grinning.

"How long are you gonna be? A while?"

I shake my head. "No, I'm actually about to catch dinner with my parents... I'm sorry. I made the plans before you showed."

"No worries. Just wanted to check before going back to the hotel."

"Hotel?"

"Yeah, a couple blocks from here."

"I mean, you could have stayed with me? It would have saved an unnecessary expense."

He smiles uncomfortably. "Em, I don't have any intention of bombarding you. I know you've made a life for yourself. You live alone."

"Are you staying here, Matteo?" I ask, realizing he's been back from his meeting with his boss.

"I am," he says, nodding. "I told them I would only perform locally for the next year. Shows will begin in a few weeks."

"Really? Locally?"

"Em, I'm not in any race to get away from you right now. It's been a long time since I've felt this sure about something... I'd also like to go back to therapy at some point."

This is news. "Have you continued it?"

He shakes his head. "No, I haven't and I actually think it may help me."

"Help you with what?"

"Well, I'm extremely happy to be here with you and to be back at work, but I was drinking heavily not even a year ago. I haven't really broached the subject of my past since we last spoke and I'm about to try to have a healthy relationship for the first time in my life. I need someone I can go to, to speak about that. I don't want to make the same mistakes I did before."

He sounds so rational, so sure. I can't help but be shocked. Shocked and pleased.

"I think that's a really good idea. And you know, you can still talk to me about anything."