The Enchanted Garden Cafe (South Side Stories Book 1) by Abigail Drake

Author:Abigail Drake [Drake, Abigail]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle Press
Published: 2018-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Always listen to your conscience

unless it’s telling you to skip dessert.

~Aunt Francesca~

I should have been plagued by guilt, but I couldn’t take back what I’d done, and even if I could, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Curled up in Matthew’s arms, I felt utterly content. He touched me, stroking my arms and back, murmuring softly in my ear. He ran his fingers up my neck and placed little kisses on my forehead. His hands trembled as he pushed my hair out of my face and looked deeply into my eyes.

“Fiona,” he said, swallowing hard. “You are . . .” He shook his head, emotional and adorable. “Thank you.”

I grinned. “I should thank you. That was . . . quite enjoyable.”

I put my face in his neck and kissed him there. He smelled nice, like soap and spice and something singularly his own scent.

He chuckled, and I felt the rumble of his laughter against my lips. “High praise indeed. ‘Quite enjoyable.’ Like a visit with your grandparents or something.”

I swatted his arm. “You understood what I meant. It was perfect. Incredible. Fantastic. Are you satisfied now?”

Matthew’s face grew serious. “I didn’t mean to rush you into anything. I know you just broke up with Scott . . .”

My cheeks got pink. “There is something you should know. Something I haven’t told anyone.” I let out a breath. “I never slept with Scott. We dated, but . . .”

My voice trailed off. I couldn’t finish. What could I say? That karma had intervened and kept me from making the biggest mistake of my life? Nope. I was not about to go there.

Matthew stared at me so intently I felt exposed. “Why me, Fiona? You didn’t even like me at first.”

“I guess you grew on me.” I kissed the tip of his nose with a smile, not ready for a serious discussion. “You’re kind of cute. A decent guitar player. And pretty smart too.”

“Wait a second. I’m a decent guitar player?” He looked so appalled I giggled.

“And you’re honest.” I reached out and touched his cheek. “It boils down to trust. I don’t know much about you, but I know you’d never lie to me, Matthew. It means something to me . . . something important.”

A shadow fluttered across Matthew’s eyes. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I wanted this. I wanted you. So badly. Part of me still wonders if this is real or if it’s some kind of crazy dream.”

Panic rose like a wave in my chest, the same way it had when Scott discussed our future together. “I . . . I don’t know what to tell you . . .”

Matthew must have heard the fear in my voice. He pulled me even closer. “It’s okay, Fiona. I needed to say it, but I don’t expect anything in return. You were honest with me when you came here, and I get it. This is a one-time thing. I won’t pressure you for anything you aren’t ready and willing to give me.

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