In Time

Chapter 3

"What? Cat got your tongue?" he cheekily says. And I swipe at him. 

Matt really looks dapper tonight. Did I mention how handsome he generally is though? He's got dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He's on the muscular side of lean and his blazer seems like an extension of him. He's truly dashing tonight. 

The first I met Matt was when I was first moving in- around 2 and a half years ago. He and Ashley helped me settle in this town and adjust to the new environment. We three became fast friends. It also helped that Ashley's house was the one next to mine. We shared a boundary wall.

Matt was a lawyer in a prestigious firm in the city we were on the outskirts of. He tried to come and stay over every few months, with his sister for whom he worried too much. 

"Judging by your face, I'm assuming that I look quite nice tonight" he adds, smiling that dimpled smile. 

"Nope! You look like Prince Charming".

He laughs heartily and it makes me smile too. Matt is so much taller than me that I look up at him. I smile my prettiest smile- I'm not immune to his good looks, like most girls. 

His smile slowly vanishes and he just stands there, looking at me and I have no idea what to say. 

"What?" I ask nervously. 

"You've got lipstick on your teeth, honey". I flush and rush back to the bathroom. When I come back, all presentable, Matt says, "We should get going now. Let's take my car?" 

"If it's alright with you". 

He places my hand on the crease of his elbow and smiles down at me again before starting to walk. 

I don't know why this suddenly feels like a date. 

The drive is considerably short and Matt is a wonderful conversationalist. He knows when to talk and when silence should reign. We bond over the common love for Halsey; I am surprised that he listens to her songs, and he replies asserting that Ashley can be very forceful when trying to make someone else listen to her kind of music too. 

Matt has an interesting life, and he mostly works in criminal cases and has been telling me a few anecdotes he's collected. He makes me laugh and I am not exaggerating either when I say that he's happy with me. He laughs and his eyes crinkle up and I realize suddenly that it's possibly the first time in years that I've wanted to know a guy more; or even liked a guy- a bit beyond the platonic, that is. 

It's 10 when we arrive at the expensive restaurant in the city. We walk to the maitre de's desk- it's a woman. And I note the way her gaze flutters when her eyes land on Matt. She puts on her best smile. 

"Hello, Mr Matthews"

Oh? She knows him! 

"Hey, Cynthia. I'll be needing a table for two tonight" 

It is then that she finally notices me and the hand Matt has placed on my back. I personally know a fake smile very well when I see one, and it most definitely is the one she's flashing me right now. 

"Let me check, sir". 

"Actually", I add, "there should be a reservation under Jennifer Hamilton".

She checks and then, "Yes, for two! This way, please". 

The restaurant is really pretty and obviously set for couples- the dim lighting, the dance floor and the roses all around. 

And then I notice the women and their lustful gazes at my 'date'. It's kind of funny. I lean up close to Matt and he acknowledges by wrapping his arm around my waist when previously it had just been placed on the small of my back. 

"It seems like I'll have to smash a few girls' faces tonight for the undivided attention they're bestowing upon you" I mutter silently by his ear. 

He looks at me then, and it disconcerts me first- how close our faces are. I turn my face, alarmed but his hot breath on my neck is not at all calming; the opposite, in fact. 

"I'd love to see that", his voice is husky. He's flirting. And it flatters me. But it also panics me all the same. 

"By the way, did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?" 

It makes me blush, and he chuckles softly, his warm breath causing me to shiver. It doesn't go unnoticed by him and he only pulls me closer. 

"There you go", Cynthia says. We have been led to a corner alcove by a huge window that offered a majestic view of the country below. 

Matt seats me before taking the chair opposite to me. In the candlelight, I see the planes and hollows of his face. He's enchanting. I smile. And this man's smile in response is beautiful. I blush as I look down. Tring to calm myself, I look around. 

And I see him. 

..............................................................

Hey Readers! 

It's been such a long time since I posted but what can I say... I had a hectic first semester. I passed with flying colours if I say so myself. I had the highest score in my department and not only that, my score was the highest in the entire university! I have been so happy. 

Anyway, I think I'll be posting once a week and we'll go from there. Of course, if I get time, I'll post more. PS. The picture I attached to this update is that of Brooke Shields- she's in one of th Blu Lagoon movies. And I do think that she is perfect for Jennifer; what do you think? 

Lots of love, 

Suze