Matt appeared at her side before her foot hit the ground and held out his forearm, giving her his half grin that calmed her nerves, and was no doubt part of his charm when they met. She took his arm and let him lead her toward the open mahogany doors. Her husband leaned into her subtly.
“Don’t worry, we don’t do these types of things often, this is more of an annual event.”
“I’m glad Megan helped me pick out a dress.”
“I’m glad that everything in your closet is new to you, or you would have insisted on going shopping for this.”
Something about his reference to the event,for this, seemed resentful.
“You don’t sound like you want to be here.”
He glanced at her and lifted an eyebrow. “You’re very perceptive,” he paused. “I’m just very protective, I suppose. I don’t like you to be around people you don’t know...or trust.”
She smiled, relieved that he hadn’t tried to lie again when she called him out on his feelings. She tugged his arm close. “I’m not only perceptive with you, you know.” She raised an eyebrow at him and turned to the crowd. “I like to think I could peg the ones I can trust.” She glanced at him and shrugged. “Besides, I have a game I’d like to try.”
“It wouldn’t be out of character for you.”
Liz frowned at the comment.
What she knew of the event was that it was political. Less than a gala, but more than just a party. Supporting the local district’s politicians was apparently something his parents were religious about. And therefore, Matt and Ben had to participate. Matt had said the plates cost a good portion of his last paycheck.
Liz continued her analysis. If they were here for the district where Matt and Ben had gone to school, there would be mutual friends here. Possibly friends they only connected with on such occasions. Therefore, not close friendships, but not entirely lost. Just as she was about to proudly state her assessment to her husband, a tall dark-haired woman, who appeared to be in her early thirties, raced over to them.
“Lizzy! You’re alive,” she exclaimed.
“Oh boy,” Matt murmured.
“I got this,” Liz muttered through her teeth.
Matt looked at her surprised. “What?”
“What’s her name?”
“Angel.”
“An— Really?” She glanced up at him then shrugged as the woman finally reached them.
“Angel! Where’ve you been?” Liz exclaimed.
“Me? I’ve been calling you for weeks. Someone told me you hit your head in an accident?” The woman was exactly as she’d expected, upfront and vocal.
“No permanent damage.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. Liz believed her memories would be coming back. “I’ve been swamped with...lesson plans for the coming year. And we’re renovating the kitchen, so of course I could never hear or find my phone. Anyway, how’ve you been? Iknowyou have news.” Liz insisted.
Somehow the woman appeared to be the type of person that typically talked about herself and always had “news” or gossip of some kind. Maybe it was Liz’s strange sense of telling a personality or just her memory giving her an ounce.
“You know I do.” Angel went on a brief summary of a guy named Frank from the office and how she was getting closer to getting to know him better. Although Angel’s words faded to mumbling in the background as Liz glanced at Matt’s amused face. Somehow, it didn’t sound like Angel was close to anything with regard to thisFrank.
“I’m coming over for wine next week, we’ll catch up,” Liz offered, before pulling Matt in the other direction with her.
“I’ll come to you—want to see that new kitchen,” Angel called.
“So, you want to get our kitchen redone huh?” Matt concluded after they were a safe distance away.
“What? No, that was just a—”
Matt shook his head, pointing a finger at her. “No, no, that didn’t come from nowhere. Why would that be the first thing you thought of?”
Liz shrugged. “Maybe we could look into refreshing it a bit.”
