Page 32 of Golden Ruin

I run a hand through it, still getting used to the new look. “Thanks.”

I nearly slip and share that Sterling cut it for me, but then I remember my audience, and that he probably wouldn’t want to hear that.

“It’s good to see you,” he says, and my stomach twists in knots at the sound of it. Speaking about our feelings—more specifically, our feelings for each other–is new for us.

“It’s good to see you, too.”

He points at the stuffed dog. “I got that for Jax. Thought he’d get a kick out of it looking like Goose.”

I glance down at the stuffed dog I’m clutching around its neck. “He definitely will.”

“And this is for you,” he says next, handing over a pink envelope.

I open it, reading the “Get Well” message on the front. Inside, my coworkers have all signed it.

Annie, Toby, Gloria.

“Wow, they didn’t have to do this. Are the flowers from them, too?” I ask, but when Matt’s face reddens with the question, I think I already have my answer.

“No, these are, uh… these are from me.”

He holds them out for me to take, exchanging the flowers for the dog.

“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he nods. “I know you’re not big on flowers, but I was driving past a shop and couldn’t seem to talk myself out of buying them.”

He laughs, and I’m smiling bigger than I mean to.

“It’s sweet. You were right to trust your gut.”

My eyes slip to his, and that fluttering starts again.

For the first time since walking in, he notices the bandage on my arm. “Shit, are you okay? I didn’t realize you were–”

“I’m fine. Hurt like hell the first twenty-four hours, but the pain meds keep it to a minimum now.”

He takes my hand, eyeing the bandages a little closer. Then his gaze meets mine again, and nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotion swimming in his eyes. He doesn’t say what he’s thinking, but I feel it.

The next second, he gently brings me into a hug, and it’s a strange feeling. Mostly because it’s the first we’ve shared since admitting there might be more between us than friendship. But it’s surprisingly not as awkward as I would’ve expected, which is why I’m in no rush to let go.

But Matt’s arms loosen around me first. Then… I hear footsteps on the stairs.

“Hey,” Matt says, and it takes half a second for my mind to process that he’s speaking to Sterling, casually making his way down to the foyer.

His expression is blank, but only to someone who doesn’t know him. There’s slightly more tension in his jaw than usual, a little more focus to his eyes. At first, he’s staring at Matt, but then, he’s staring at the flowers I’m holding.

“Find the house okay?” His gaze darts back to Matt.

“I did,” Matt nods, and I don’t miss how his eyes drop to the tile for a moment while he gathers himself. “Got held up at the gate for a sec when I tried to enter the code, but other than that, no issues.”

Sterling nods and heat creeps up my spine. I hoped their paths wouldn’t cross during this visit, but it seems it was naive to think things would play out like that.

“Is Jax asleep?” Matt asks.

That hard look never leaves Sterling’s eyes as he shoves both hands into the pockets of his sweats. “Not yet. Just getting into his pajamas. He’ll be down in a sec.”

Matt nods. “Cool. I saw this and thought he might like it, so…” His voice trails off as he lifts the dog a few inches into the air before lowering it again, and I hate that he seems so uncomfortable.