Chapter 5 5

Nina's POV

Life is quite humorous. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, you came crashing in.

When I heard a ding, I grabbed my phone, a smile crossing my lips as a familiar name popped up on the screen. It was Matt. We continued exchanging messages, jokes, sarcastic comments, our usual back-and-forth.

I kept glancing at the three-dotted typing bubble while peeling an orange and cutting strawberries. When I finished, I washed my hands, grabbed a fork, and headed toward the couch.

Biting my lip, I flopped down, staring at the screen. Matt always made little comments that sent a flutter through my chest, but I knew we were just friends.

After all, I had a boyfriend.

Glancing down, I realized the fruit had spilled all over the couch, likely creating stains. Darn it. I debated whether I should clean it up or watch TV. "I'll clean it up later."

It had been two years since I met Matt, and we became best friends. Talking to him felt natural, never forced like with others. I hated forced conversations, and meeting new people drained me.

If I could, I'd stay home, curled on my couch, watching mindless TV shows forever. But life didn't work that way.

I looked down at my finger. I couldn't wait to tell Matt my good news. He would be so happy for me.

At the airport, I played games on my phone, tapping my foot impatiently. He said he'd be here three hours ago, that bastard.

"Boo!" I whipped around to find Matt grinning wildly.

Immediately, I kicked him in the shin. Arms crossed, I huffed, "3:00! You said 3:00!"

He bent down, rubbing his shin. When he looked up, he pouted. "Sorry. I had some business, so I took a later flight."

I let out an exasperated sigh. "It's okay."

He beamed at me, then suddenly lifted me off the ground. "Good to see you again, short stack."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Good to see you too."

"I missed you," he mumbled.

I laughed. "Matt, I saw you a week ago."

He swayed me back and forth in the air. "Doesn't mean I can't miss you."

Placing my hands on his cheeks, I squeezed them into a duck face. "You know, sometimes it feels like you don't actually live in New York. You're here all the time."

"Let's just say something about California keeps pulling me back." He grabbed his bag. "Now, what are we eating? I'm starving."

Shaking my head, I gestured for him to follow. As I drove, he fiddled with the radio. When my current favorite song played, I slapped his hand away.

"Ow! I swear, Nina, you're the only one who ever hits me."

I placed a finger on his lips. "Shh! I'm listening to my song."

He smacked my hand away. "Don't do that! I don't know where that finger has been!"

"Up your ass if you don't shut up," I shot back.

Matt grinned. "Oh, Love, you know I don't roll that way."

"Baby, you just haven't tasted my magic yet. One taste, and you'll be coming back for more."

He chuckled, shaking his head. Rolling down the window, he inhaled the fresh air-or maybe...he farted. I wouldn't be surprised.

The wind tousled his brown hair, sunlight highlighting his features. My grip on the wheel tightened as I forced myself to focus on the road.

"So, how's New York?" I asked.

Matt shrugged nonchalantly. "Same old, same old."

I puffed up my cheeks. "Really? Nothing happened?"

He turned his head, offering me a tender smile that deepened his dimples. "Nope. You?"

I grinned. "I'll tell you when we get to the restaurant. You, my cute dumpling, are treating me to celebrate."

Matt and I had been giving each other ridiculous nicknames ever since he started calling me short stack.

***

Walking in the rain, I held the umbrella over us, struggling on my tiptoes to keep us both dry.

Part of me wanted to take off running and let him get soaked. Matt could suffer for all I cared.

"Geez, Matt! What does your mom feed you?" I grumbled, arms aching from holding the umbrella up.

Smirking, he looked down at me. "Not what your mom feeds you."

"Are you implying I'm short?"

"I'm not implying. You are short."

"I am of normal height! You're just a freakishly tall bean pole!" I huffed, still struggling to keep the umbrella over both of us. I really should've made shorter friends.

Stopping, he bent his knees, bringing his face level with mine. "Better?"

My cheeks heated as his warm, minty breath brushed my skin. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, all I heard was the rain hitting the pavement. He smiled lightly, cupping my cheek and tracing his thumb toward my lips.

I jumped back, only to collide with a pole. "Owwww."

Matt rushed forward, hands cradling my face as he examined my forehead. Water dripped down his sharp jawline, his worried eyes searching mine. My cheeks burned despite the cold rain soaking my skin.

Ba-dump.

Ba-dump.

Ba-dump.

I couldn't hear anything except our heartbeats.

Was it mine? Or his?

A blaring honk snapped me back to reality. I stepped out of Matt's grip, grabbing the umbrella, placing a hand over my chest to steady my racing heart.

We often had these moments-tempestuous, electrifying moments. Moments that made the world fade away, like when we first met.

And after every single one, guilt clawed at my stomach.

I had a boyfriend. I loved my boyfriend. I repeated it like a mantra whenever I was with Matt.

"Wouldn't it be easier if you held the umbrella?" I shoved it at his chest, his very firm chest.

He took it. "Okay, short stack."

I halted, eyes narrowing. "Short Stack?"

"Yup."

"You do not want to go there, long bean."

Smirking, he slung an arm over my shoulder. "Come closer, or you'll get wetter."

I couldn't help but smile at the nickname, even as guilt churned inside me.

I didn't like Matt that way.

I didn't like Matt that way.

I didn't like Matt that way.

I repeated the words, hoping one day they'd become true.

They never did.