“Don’t you say it.” I clenched my jaw. I knew exactly who she was going to say. Tanner’s best friend. The one man on this earth I was more embarrassed around than Dr. Lyons. And that was really saying something because I’d tried to rape Dr. Lyons.
Chastity opened her mouth.
“Don’t you freaking say it!”
“Matthew Caldwell.”
“No! We don’t even know for sure that they’re friends!”
“I looked into it. He’s definitely the Matt from Tanner’s phone. We both saw how Nigel reacted to me asking about him.”
I shook my head.
“And honestly, maybe this is for the best. You can’t date Tanner if he’s friends with Matt. You wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
“Yes I could! I’d do anything for Tanner.”
“Anything?”
“Of course.”
“Got you. So if you won’t see Dr. Lyons, then you can at least contact Matt. End of discussion.”
“I can’t talk to MattorDr. Lyons.”
“You just said you’d do anything. And we’ve been searching for months. Matt is our last option. Trust me, I wouldn’t mention him if it wasn’t dire.”
“I can’t.”
“Ash, Matt’s dick is fine. I’m sure he forgives you for setting it on fire.”
“No man forgives a girl for something like that.” Although it did kind of seem like Matt had forgiven me. The few times I’d run into him afterthe incidenthe’d been perfectly kind.Tookind. He was probably luring me into a false sense of security while he put his case together to sue me for all I’m worth.
“He has reservations in half an hour at that new restaurant with all the rave reviews. Get dressed. We’re going.”
I looked down at my stained sweatpants. “I am dressed.”
“God, you’ve really gone downhill fast.”
Had I? Because I’d dressed like this before I met Tanner. Before my heart had been ripped in two.
I followed Chastity out of the apartment. She kept giving me wary looks. But had she forgotten about the night the people on the sidewalk had literally parted for me because I was wearing only a towel? That was who I was now.
“There,” Chastity said and pointed to where a car had just pulled up to the curb.
Matt stepped out as a valet helped his wife to the sidewalk.
“Now’s your chance.”
I stayed firmly rooted in place.
“Hey, Matt!” Chastity yelled.
He started to turn his head.
And I threw myself into oncoming traffic to avoid his gaze. Literally. I threw myself onto the hood of a car, skidded across it and fell onto the pavement. And then I stayed down for good measure. Although I wasn’t entirely sure I could get up. I’m pretty sure my whole body was broken.
But somehow Matt missed the whole thing. It was a miracle.
