“Lea, are you okay? I am sorry for my father’s words... Let’s just say that drinking isn’t his strongest side. You don’t deserve such words. Believe me. He will regret talking to you like he did.”

“She hadn’t said a word to him. She let him insult me. That’s how she wants us to be back to normal?”

“Olivia is trying, Lea. My father isn’t the easiest person in the world. She knows when to tell him that he’s wrong. He will be apologizing before you tomorrow. She will make sure of that. She loves you. She was incredibly happy when you announced to her that you would return home.”

“Fuck, why is everything so messed up?! I hate this feeling of insecurity! I didn’t feel that way for a very long time! And now again!”

“I am sorry...” Matt was sitting across from me, and his kind eyes fixed on me. He was sympathizing with me, he felt sorry for me, but I didn’t need his pity.

“Don’t. It’s not your fault. Guess our dinner finished.”

“No, she will be back. Besides, I saw pretty brownies on the plate. I want them.” A big smile appeared on his face, and I laughed from the view.

“I didn’t know that you were such a sweet-tooth.”

“You don’t know much about me, Lea. But I think we will have the opportunity to know each other. I am looking forward to it.” Matt winked at me, and I honestly felt like my heart skipped a beat. It was so strange. I wasn’t feeling that way for a very long time. I enjoyed my exchange with him. I realized that I wasn’t angry at him anymore. Yeah, he offended me that night, but it was so long in the past, so I guess I kind of let it go within time.

“Matt, you know, I wasn’t thrilled to know that you live in this house, but now? I am glad that you’re here. So thank you, and I am sorry for what I said to you in the kitchen...”

“Nah, princess, I guess I deserved this. For what I did...”

I felt my pulse quickening. He called me a princess, just like he did years ago. But the most important thing was that he remembered about this party and that he knew that he hurt me. Why now, Matt?

“I am sorry, Lea, Matt. George is already asleep.” I heard mom’s voice before I saw her. I was sitting and staring at Matt while he was staring back at me. Our eyes were locked, and we were in some kind of a bubble. No, I can’t have any feelings for him. No, I shouldn’t allow myself even to have these thoughts about him. He could be only a friend to me. “Lea, honey, I am so sorry for George’s words. I will talk to him in the morning. He was nervous, and I guess he drunk a little too much.”

She walked inside, sat at the table, and only then noticed that Matt and I were silent. Her gaze switched between us; she tried to understand what that was between us.

“I know that Matt said I shouldn’t worry about it, but still... Is there something I don’t know about? How do you know one another? Yeah, you were in the same school, but I didn’t think that you had known each other for real. But your exchange in the kitchen left me wondering. So, who’s going to spill the beans?”

“He was my high school crush. I talked with him once at one of the many parties of Ethan Lewis. It didn’t end well. That’s all. So yeah, mom, we know each other, but there was nothing between us.”

“I see... Well, I didn’t expect to hear this answer, but okay...” My mother was uncomfortable. It was another proof that she knew nothing about my life when I was in school. Jess’s mom always knew who she liked and with whom she dated, but not mine. Mine was busy with her job and her clients and with her endless arguments with my father. “What’s your side of the story, Matt? Were you interested in her?”

What was she doing? She wanted to humiliate me or what? What answer did she expect to hear exactly? But at the same time, the little girl inside me wanted to listen to his answer. Back then, he said he liked me. Was it true? Or he said it in the attempt to lure me to his bed?

“Olivia, your daughter was a very beautiful girl, and she’s a stunning woman now. I should have been blind not to notice her. But she just told you, there was nothing between us, and it would always be like that.”

It was flattering to hear him saying that I was stunning, but his other words kind of hurt me. What he said was the truth; there was and would be nothing between us. What was I expecting? Ugh! The doorbell rang, and Matt got up to open the door. He left my mother and me alone. She tilted her head to look at me very carefully.

“Lea, do you still like Matt? Am I right? I am asking you this because I don’t want any complications.” She said it quietly, looking me in the eyes. I held her gaze before I opened my mouth.

“Mom, what kind of question is that? I didn’t see him for years, let alone the last time I talked with him was more than ten years ago. Yeah, he’s attractive, but that’s all. I am not in a place to start a new relationship. I was together with Sean for four years, I was engaged, and I was the one who broke this engagement. I need to find myself, to find out what I want from this life. And only after it, I will think about my love life.”

“Your love life and Matt’s name can’t be in one sentence. You should see him as a friend, nothing more. It’s for your own good.”

“Why?” I challenged her. I was telling myself precisely the same, what she just told me. But I was stubborn. I didn’t like to be told what I should do. My mother didn’t answer me. She turned her head in the direction of the door. I followed her and saw Matt returning. He stepped aside to sit back to his seat, and I saw a skinny blond woman behind him.

“Olivia! Thank you so much for the invitation!” This girl walked to my mom and kissed her on the cheek. Her voice was melodic and cheerful. Then she turned to me. “Oh, you must be Lea! I heard so many things about you from your mother and Jess! Indeed, you’re gorgeous! I hope we will get a chance to know one another!”

She sat at the table beside Matt. Who was she? What was she doing here? She was kind to me, and I could say that it was genuine. She was very skinny, no curves, no round butt or big boobs. She was cute with her big dove eyes and full lips. All in her were radiating kindness and happiness. I can’t say that I saw something remarkable in her, but she had something which was making you to like her.

Matt poured wine for her, and only then, I realized that there were five plates from the very beginning. She must be someone very close to the family. She and my mother were talking, while Matt and I were silent. The thousand of thoughts were swirling in my head. George Harris ruined my mood, and I wanted nothing more than to go to my room and to lock myself here.

“Lea, honey, are you alright?” Only hearing mom’s voice brought me back from my thoughts. I looked up and saw the three of them staring at me.

“Yeah. Just was thinking...” I trailed off. I didn’t know what to say.

“Lea, how long were you living in Chicago?” This girl asked me with a big smile on her face. She was lovely. Yeah, exact this word.

“6 years. I am sorry, I don’t want to sound rude, but do I know you?” I asked, arching my eyebrow, and she heartily laughed from my question.

“No, I guess it was stupid of me to expect from Matt to introduce me to you, or even to tell you beforehand who I was. My name is Hannah Evans. I work with Jess at the elementary school, that’s why I know a lot about you. She misses you a lot. Last two weeks, she talked almost non-stop about your return.” I laughed because I could easily imagine Jess’s impatience. I started to like Hannah, more and more. It was so comfortable talking to her. “But here I am because of Matt. We’re engaged.”