Chapter 26

Sunday

"Do you want to talk about it?" Matt asked.

I opened my eyes and looked up at him. "Where is Scarlett?"

"With Rob and Daphne. She seemed perfectly content in his arms. Wasn't anything special about me except that I was a man, I guess."

I laughed. "Well whatever it was, she wanted you more than she wanted me."

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked again.

"Not really."

"I got your keycard." He put his hand out for me and helped me get to my feet.

"Thank you. Is the little monster that used to be my daughter spending the rest of the night with Rob and Daphne?"

"Yup. It's just us." He put my keycard in the door and pushed it open for me.

I stared at him apprehensively. "Thank you for coming to my rescue tonight with Scar. And for getting my key. I really appreciate it. But it's the middle of the night. And you're practically naked." I gestured to the chiseled abs staring back at me.

"So are you."

I tugged on the bottom of my shirt again. "Goodnight, Matt," I said.

He crossed his arms as he leaned against the doorjamb. "Look, it's true, I think you're beautiful. And sweet and kind."

"Matt..."

"Let me finish," he said with a laugh. "I like pushing your buttons because you get all flustered." He smiled. "Sure, if you were single, I would have tried to sleep with you years ago. But I promise I'm not trying to steal you away from James. I just like messing with you."

Rob used to say something similar to me. Like he enjoyed seeing me blush or something. "Am I really so fun to mess with?"

"Absolutely. So will you let your guard down for two seconds and tell me why your daughter is insisting that a snake is going to murder you in your sleep?"

"Is that what she said to you?"

"Something along those lines."

"God." I walked past him into the room. "She just saw a scary movie. It's nothing."

"So the tears..."

"What would you do if your kid wouldn't stop talking about your impending death? How am I supposed to comfort her when I don't..." I let my voice trail off. "I'm too young to die." My eyes started to get watery again.

"There it is." He opened his arms like he wanted to hug me.

"I'm not hugging you when you're only wearing boxers."

He lifted up his arm and sniffed his armpit. "What? I smell fine, I swear."

"Matt."

"I just told you I didn't love you. What's the big deal? All our friends can screw themselves. You know I love you, but just as a friend. Come on." He gestured to his chest. When I didn't move, he sighed. "If the pregnant stomach wasn't enough to remind me that you're off limits, the hickey James left you with would be."

I put my hand on the side of my neck. I had forgotten that James' kisses had probably left a mark.

"Or the fact that I heard you two fucking in that restroom a few hours ago and you very much enjoying it. Or that he threatened to kill me if I hit on you."

"He did not." My words were meaningless. I had seen James pull Matt off the dance floor. Of course he had threatened him. I didn't doubt it for a second.

Matt shrugged. "Regardless, I'm not hitting on you. I'm being a good friend. You know that, Penny." He gave me the signature Caldwell smile.

"Fine. I'll take that hug now." I didn't care that it was inappropriate to be hugging Matt in his boxers. I didn't care that James would probably be upset. Because right now, I just needed a hug.

He laughed and wrapped his arms around me.

And for just a second, I didn't feel so alone. Was that really what was bothering me? Did I feel abandoned? I tried to shake away the thought. Scarlett loved me. She was just scared. And James would be back soon enough.

"You're not going to die, Penny. I'm sure James has you going to the best doctors."

I didn't respond. "You should probably get back to your room."

"There's no rush. Tiffany already fell asleep. Or was her name Stephanie?"

I laughed. "You're ridiculous."

"It was definitely Tiffany. Actually, I was thinking about it and maybe I should give that online dating thing a try."

"Really?"

He released me from his hug. "Yeah. Maybe you could help me sign up to one of those sites?"

"Um...yes!"

"I'm glad you're smiling, but I don't mean right this second. Why are you so excited about this anyway?"

"I met James when I was young. I know people who did the whole online dating thing, but I never experienced it. I think it'll be fun."

"Maybe for you. You won't have to go on the dates."

"Right. I just get to catfish a bunch of people for you."

"What? No. I meant you could help me set up a profile. Not respond to people. I don't want you to pretend to be me."

"We'll see."

He shook his head.

"And what about Tiffany? You don't want to date her?"

He shrugged. "I want a woman who cries when I leave. Not snores and rolls over."

"Someone needy? Got it."

"Not needy, Penny. Just someone who needs me."

"I get that."

"But I probably should get back to the snorer. If you're good?"

"I'm good."

He smiled. "Night, Penny."

"Hey, Matt?"

He turned around before he reached the door.

"All that stuff you said about James. About why I chose him. And that I didn't know what he was like before I met him..."

"I was joking." He smiled. "Just wanted to see how flustered I could get you."

"Oh. Right."

He laughed. "You know where my room is if you need anything else."

"Mhm. Goodnight, Matt." I watched the door close behind him. I turned and looked at the bed. Despite my brain telling me not to, I got down on my hands and knees and looked under it. I shook my head. There are no snakes in The Plaza Hotel. I climbed into bed and turned the light off. But instead of closing my eyes, I just stared at the ceiling. James wouldn't land for another several hours. I bit the inside of my lip. A voicemail would be a nice thing to land to, though. Besides, I really just needed to hear his voice. I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and clicked on James' name. His voicemail switched on automatically.

"You've reached James. Leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

I smiled at the sound of his voice. "Hey, James," I said after the beep. "I know you're probably a hundred miles from home by now. And you can't answer your phone until you land. I think I can actually feel the distance. Is that crazy?" I laughed. It sounded sad in the empty room. I rolled onto my side and stared at the empty spot beside me. "I can't fall asleep because the bed is too empty without you. Try to finish up and get back to us as fast as you can, okay? I miss you. Scar misses you. Liam misses you." I put my hand on my stomach and smiled. "And we can't wait to see you when you get back. I love you." Suddenly I thought I might cry. I was desperate for his touch. We had only been apart for a few hours. How could I feel his absence so completely? I cleared my throat. "I just wanted to warn you that I'll probably sleep on your side of the bed when I get home tomorrow night. Thanks for leaving the shirt, but I feel like your scent has already disappeared." I laughed, but it sounded forced. "Have a safe trip, James. I'll see you in a few days." I hung up before my tears could start falling.