“I’m annoyed that you put yourself in a position to lose us business,” Matt counters.
I shrug and sit down in the seat opposite his.
“Whatever,” I say. “Natalie’s business was a drop in the ocean compared to the Benton merger. I was calling you to see how close we are to getting the first meetings set up. Bradley has just about finished up the financial report and everything is looking as good as we hoped it would.”
“We’re almost there. The preliminary talks have gone well and we’re looking to get started early next week,” Matt says. He grins. “But you know all of that. So why don’t you tell me what you really want.”
“That was what I really wanted. To call you out on ignoring my calls,” I lie.
“Ok, I hear you loud and clear. So if that’s it then, I’ve kind of got work to do,” Matt says.
I can tell by the gleam in his eye he knows why I’m really here. I mean sure I was annoyed at him dodging my calls, but he’s right. I didn’t need to ask about the Benton merger. I knew all of that. And if the meetings got pushed forward, of course someone would have reached out to me and let me know. I’m annoyed at him for dodging my calls because I wanted to ask him about one thing. Her. Kimberley.
I eye Matt as I try to work out a way to bring the conversation around to Kimberley without it being obvious I’ve thought of nothing but her all damned night. His lips curl up slightly at the corners and I know he’s enjoying my discomfort. I suppose this is his pay back for all the times I’ve embarrassed him over the years with new girlfriends. And for all the flirting I do with his fiancé, Callie.
I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of asking him for more details about Kimberley, but I know I can’t just get up and walk out of here without hearing everything there is to know about her return. I look down into my lap.
“Is it true what you said last night? Is Kimberley really back in town?” I say.
Matt doesn’t answer immediately and I force myself to look up and meet his eye. His amused look pisses me off but I bite my tongue, waiting for an answer.
“It’s true,” he says.
I feel a mixture of emotions flood me. I’m happy to hear that she’s back, and at the same time, I’m apprehensive to know that I might run into her. I am also fuming that she’s made no effort to contact me. But then why would she after what happened between us?
“Have you seen her?” I ask.
Matt seems to be determined to make me ask the questions to get the information from him, even though he must know it’s killing me to have to practically beg him for the information.
“Yeah I’ve seen her. I ran into her a couple of days ago. She looks good Seb. Damned good. She still has that shock of red hair; it’s right down almost to her ass now. And she’s filled out in all of the right places if you get my drift.”
Oh I get his drift alright. My cock is twitching just thinking about Kimberley all grown up.
“She’s really grown into herself. She’s beautiful now,” Matt says.
“She was always beautiful,” I say before I can stop myself.
Matt grins at my words.
“But then all of the women I sleep with are beautiful,” I add, more for my own benefit than his.
If I thought he was going to let me save face that easily, I was sorely mistaken. He is most definitely enjoying my discomfort. He nods, an exaggerated nod.
“Yeah I’m sure they are, but not like Kimberley. She’s … something else,” he says.
“Maybe I should be calling up Callie and telling her she’s got competition,” I say.
Matt laughs.
“I don’t think she’d be even close to how jealous you are right now,” he says. “About our chat I mean.”
“You spoke to her?” I say, again ignoring his jibe.
“Sure,” Matt says. “I told you I ran into her. What did you think I did? Just ignored her?”
I shrug. I hadn’t thought that for a minute, but I just wanted to find out what they had to talk about without having to come out and ask, but Matt pauses again, clearly waiting for me to ask. God sometimes I really fucking hate Matt. He loves to watch me squirm and today is no exception.
“So how is she? What’s she up to?” I ask, doing my best to sound like I’m just making casual conversation.
“You seem awfully interested in her,” Matt says.
“She’s an old friend. Why wouldn’t I be interested in how she’s doing?” I ask.
“You weren’t interested when I told you I ran into Bobby St Clair a couple of weeks ago.”
“Who?”
“Exactly. You don’t even remember half of the people you used to know. But Kimberley …”
“Is different,” I finish.
My small confession softens Matt slightly and he begins to tell me about their run in without me having to keep digging for more.
“She’s good. She’s done well for herself. She’s the CFO at a big company. She’s in town on business actually. She’s staying at the Hilton on Mercer Way. She always did like her luxuries. And now she’s living the jet-setter lifestyle. She’s just got back from a three month tour of Europe. Rome, Paris, Madrid, Prague. You name it, she’s been there.”
“Sounds like she’s really made it,” I say.
“Yeah she has. You should see her tan. She was glowing,” Matt adds,
There’s one more thing I want to ask, but I am afraid of the answer. I think I know the answer. Kimberley was never really the settling down and getting married type, but people change. I’ve changed. Maybe she has too.
