I have a feeling she does it to keep him away from me, so he can’t keep pissing Matt off.
The dinner goes well, and by the end of it, I am completely stuffed full, but more importantly, I feel relaxed. Eve is the perfect hostess, drawing me out of myself and making me feel welcome. Matt was right. Within ten minutes in her company, I am made to feel like one of the family. Sebastian spent dinner flirting with me and getting dirty looks off Matt. Chance was much quieter; he seems shy but friendly.
“I’m so sorry to eat and run, but I really do have to go,” Chance says, getting up.
“Got a hot date waiting?” Matt teases him.
“No such luck. Just work stuff,” Chance says.
“Yeah Matt, we can’t all have hot dates to bring to dinner,” Sebastian says, grinning at me.
I laugh and shake my head as Matt rolls his eyes.
Chance says his goodbyes and Eve sees him out. She comes back in. “Matthew darling, if you’re finished, would you mind getting started on the dishes?”
Matt was right about that as well. His family is normal. Down to earth. I kind of expected a waiter, a chef and a maid to clean up afterwards, but Eve had cooked herself and now, like my own mom would, she expects her children to help her clean up.
Matt nods and gets to his feet.
I stand up too. “I’ll give you a hand.”
“No Callie, sit down. You’re a guest,” Eve says.
“As am I.” Matt grins.
“I could think of other words to describe you.” Eve laughs.
“Honestly, let me help. It’ll do me good to move around and work off some of that pudding.” I laugh.
Matt and I go through to the kitchen and Matt begins to fill the sink. I can hear Eve asking Sebastian to make Martinis.
“Did you notice?” Matt asks.
“Notice what?” I ask as Matt begins to wash the dishes.
“I took the last roast potato when no one was looking!” He laughs.
“That’s shocking!” I giggle as I pick up the plate Matt has washed and dry it, setting it down on the table behind me when I realize I have no idea where it goes.
Sebastian comes in soon after with our drinks. “Wouldn’t you rather be sitting in the living room with me, Callie?” He grins.
“Nope.” I laugh.
He puts his hand to his heart. “Ouch. I’m hurt!” He chuckles as he leaves the room.
“I’m sorry about him. I’ll have words with him,” Matt says, his tone sharp.
I look up seeing the frown on his face. “It’s fine Matt, don’t say anything to him. It’s just a bit of fun, and I honestly don’t mind it.”
“He never used to be like this you know. I mean he was never shy, but he wasn’t quite so over the top. He had his heart broken a few years ago and it changed him. He flirts like that with everyone, outrageously almost. I think it’s a defense mechanism, so no one wants to get too close to him anymore. He’s a serial flirt, a serial dater. But he doesn’t let himself get serious with anyone. He claims he just isn’t ready to settle down, but it’s more than that. He’s afraid of getting hurt again.”
“One day, he’ll meet the right girl and he’ll see that she was worth waiting for,” I say.
“I hope so.” Matt picks up his drink and hands me mine.
We clink glasses and take a drink. It’s strong but it’s good.
“He sure makes a mean Martini, I’ll give him that much,” Matt says.
We finish the dishes and go to the living room where we join Sebastian and Eve. We chat for a bit.
After an hour, Sebastian stands up. “I’m going to message for an Uber. Do you guys want to share?”
Matt looks at me and I shrug. I don’t mind either way.
“Yeah, that would be great.” Matt nods.
Sebastian goes off to arrange the Uber.
Eve smiles at me. “It’s been lovely to meet you Callie. Hopefully, we’ll see you more often, since now you know we don’t bite.”
I feel myself blushing and I nod. It seems so stupid now that I was so afraid to meet Matt’s family.
“You two will have to come over for dinner one day next week when your dad’s home Matthew,” Eve adds.
“We will,” Matt says. “Or better yet, why don’t you come over to my apartment and I’ll cook?”
“You’re only saying that because you know the next time Callie comes over, the embarrassing baby photos are coming out.” Eve laughs.
“Well yeah, exactly.” Matt shakes his head at her.
“The Uber’s here,” Sebastian calls from the hallway.
We all say our goodbyes with hugs, nice to have met you and promises to do it all again soon.
“So you survived your first trip to the lion’s den,” Sebastian says, turning in his seat to look at Matt and me in the back. “Next time, you know she’ll be talking about marriage and babies. You’re her last hope Callie. I mean I’m a lost cause and Chance is a workaholic.”
“And yet strangely, she’s subtler than you are,” Matt says.
Sebastian shrugs. “Not for long. Mark my words.” He directs the Uber driver to pull up at the next corner. “See you later Matt. Callie, always a pleasure. Call me anytime you get bored with him and want a date with the fun brother.”
“Noted.” I laugh.
He closes the door.
Matt tells the Uber driver where to go and then he goes quiet.
I nudge him gently with my shoulder. “Don’t let him get to you, Matt. It’s all in fun.”
“What?” Matt says. “Oh, it’s not him. I was just thinking.”
“Oh, do tell.” I grin.
“I was just wondering how I got so lucky as to have you here with me now, putting up with my brother’s shit and laughing about it.”
I think there’s more to it than that. He looks worried, but I let it go and rest my head on his shoulder. He takes my hand in both of his
