Grudge Match: The Matchmaker Series by Matilda Martel

Author:Matilda Martel [Martel, Matilda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“When was the last time you went home?” Deacon places his elbows on the table and leans forward, ensuring I hear his question. So far, so good. We’ve managed to get through drinks and appetizers without an ugly word.

I’m unsure what I expected. We dropped off Ramona, and he saw her inside, ensuring her safety before returning to the car. It was thoughtful but unnecessary. Ramona didn’t want or require door-to-door service, but I appreciate the effort. As we drove away, he informed me Ramona told him to be nice or suffer the consequences.

That sounds like her.

“I was home over Christmas. Were you there too?” I ask, already knowing the answer. I ran into his mother at the grocery store while with my nana, and she told everyone who would listen that neither of her boys were coming home over the holidays.

Mrs. LeBlanc has always been sweet to me. She’s the town’s only dance teacher, and before I dated her son, I had frequented many of her classes. Tango was my favorite.

Deacon shakes his head once as he searches the wine menu for something to drink with dinner. I’m happy with iced tea. I can’t be trusted. As good as he looks under the warm light of the chandeliers, a little more liquid courage might make me admit something I’ll regret. And there are too many fantasies swirling around in my mind to risk it.

“I had an important case play out through the holidays. With only twenty-four hours off, there wasn’t enough time to make the trip. I’ll spend some time there over the summer. It’s been a while, and I miss it,” he answers. Then, he calls a nearby server to bring him a glass of cabernet, checking in again to see if I’ve changed my mind about having wine.

“No, thank you. I’m a bit of a lightweight when it comes to alcohol and have already had more than my limit,” I mutter nervously while I butter a roll and stuff half of it into my mouth. It feels strange sitting across from someone I’ve disliked for so long. Yes, I found Deacon attractive and would sometimes dream of his touch, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him for past transgressions.

He was unnecessarily rude to a teenage girl who only wanted her boyfriend’s brother to like her. Although I was heartbroken when Devon ended things the day before he left for college, a part of me knew it was coming. It took some time to bounce back from his rejection, but I’m happy things didn’t go as far as he would have liked. The betrayal would have been bigger. His indifference might have shattered me.

“I don’t drink much either,” he says unconvincingly while chugging his goblet of wine. “But you make me nervous.”

His confession shocks me. “Nervous?” I look from side to side, scanning through happy faces, blissfully dining on Chateaubriand and chocolate souffle, and wonder if he’s afraid to be seen with me. We’re nobodies. Unless someone

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