“Wait! What? How do you know about Gilmore Girls?” I asked, stunned that he had any clue about the show.
“Hey, I’m a sensitive guy; I like me some Lorelai and Rory drama sometimes!” Matthew laughed and looked around. “There is even a little coffee shop, just like Luke’s!”
“I don’t know whether to be impressed or frightened that you know this information,” I said, giving him a deliberately suspicious look. “But, yes, that little coffee joint does remind me of Luke’s, too. Want to go in?”
“Definitely; I need something to kill the taste of the peach schnapps. The beer wasn’t enough to do the trick.” And with that, we exited the car, crossing the street to the Java Joint. At nine o’clock at night, it was empty except for one customer. We walked up to the counter and ordered: a coffee with double shots of both cream and sugar for Matthew, a hot chocolate for me. We then found a table in the corner and waited for our drinks to be brought out, which they were within a couple of minutes.
“So, what is your schedule like this coming week,” I asked casually, stirring the whipped cream into my hot chocolate while secretly hoping he would have some more time to spend with me but trying not to get my hopes up about it. I knew I should be happy with just this evening. Reconnecting with Matthew and filling in the years we had been apart had really helped me heal from the wounds of the past. I told myself not to get greedy; that I may not see Matty again after tonight. I needed to brace myself for that possibility and figure out how to be okay with it, to be happy with what I had already been given.
“I have two meetings over in Lincoln at the Miller Sports Foundation; we’re hoping to partner with them on some inner-city initiatives. They are based here but do work all over the country. I have one meeting Monday and the second on Wednesday. I fly back to California on Friday.”
“Oh,” I said, too shy to dare invite him to see me again.
“So, as long as you are free, I’ll have plenty of time to hang out with you, if you want?” Matthew smiled at me, that same sweet smile I remembered from long ago.
“Of course,” I replied, a bit too eagerly. “I mean, other than a few odds and ends at work, I’m pretty much free all week,” which was a lie, but I was already figuring out how to rearrange my schedule to make time to spend with Matty.
We sipped our hot drinks and continued catching up. Just when it seemed we were done talking, another memory would surface and we would start chatting all over again. By the time the coffee shop closed at eleven we were both a bit hoarse from talking for so long. We got back into my car and I drove him back to The Roosevelt, remembering with a sick feeling that he would be reuniting with Molly at some point, depending on when she came back from her night of partying. I did not want to even think that they might be sharing a room.
“Molly is leaving for the airport first thing in the morning; I’m assuming she’s taking a taxi or a ride share or something. So, maybe we can meet back up for lunch? I would love to see your house. I mean, if you are free? And want me to cover over?” Matthew asked with a chuckle. “Sorry, I guess I just invited myself!”
“Um, yes, I’m free, for sure, and I would love to have you over,” I said with a laugh. “How about I pick you up at eleven tomorrow morning? Sundays are a nightmare at the local restaurants, so I could grab some food for us to eat back at my place, if that’s okay?” I also wanted to avoid public places as I did not want to deal with the last of the reunion crowd who were still in town. I wanted to keep Matthew to myself, to be able to have his full attention and to talk to him in peace.
“That sounds great!” Matty said with a smile. We exchanged cell numbers before he got out of the car. However, he quickly sat back down and turned to me. “Leah, I’m so glad to have found you again,” he said and leaned over to kiss my cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that I watched him walk into the lobby of The Roosevelt. I sat in my car for a few moments just to fully absorb the evening’s events. I knew I needed to get home to my dogs and to get some sleep; but I also knew sleep would not come easily as my mind and heart were racing a mile a minute.
Once back home, I took the dogs outside and let them play in the yard for a bit before coming back in and giving them their nightly treats along with a few extra to make up for my absence. I did my usual nightly routine of giving them fresh water and getting their breakfast bowls ready for the morning. I then headed upstairs to shower, letting my hair down while looking at my reflection in the mirror above the sink before stepping under the stream of hot water, regretting that I had to wash the spot on my cheek that Matty had just kissed. I showered and got into my pajamas, which were just a pair of knit booty shorts and an old tee shirt. I was too wound up to get into bed, so I went back downstairs. I flopped onto the couch and immediately found myself with two giant labs on my lap. I snuggled with them, giving them both prolonged belly rubs and ear scratches. I turned on the television and tried to catch up on the
