Page 58 of Imperfect Match (Imperfect Match 1)
“Yeah, but you don’t.”
“I do.”
He wraps his long fingers that do amazing things around mine and holds tight. So much for not holding his hand. His head leans down, eyes locked on mine. “I don’t think you could hate me. I don’t think either of us ever could hate the other. Now …” He smirks. “Relax so I can kiss you and remind you that you love me.”
How can I relax when his lips are this close and I can almost taste him? I lean up, just a bit because now I want to kiss him. I want him to remind me because his reminders are the best. I no longer care that we’re at my parents’ house. I don’t care about a damn thing but this man’s mouth on mine, and then, right before we touch, the door opens.
Like a child caught with a hand in the cookie jar, I pull back.
My mother’s eyes widen for a second seeing how close our lips were, then looks down at our joined hands, and smiles. “Well, this isn’t much of a surprise,” Mom’s voice is filled with an I-told-you-so tone. “But it did take you two long enough.”
“Hi, Mrs. Hayes.”
“Hello, Reid, my darling.” She touches his cheek. “I’m glad to see you here.”
“I …” Reid pauses and then looks at me. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Oh, please. We are not doing this game again. He plays my mother like a fiddle and she needs to know that all that charm is polished bullshit.
“He forgot, Mom. He forgot all about your big day. If it weren’t for me reminding him, he wouldn’t even have been here. He might’ve been holed up in his apartment, watching This is Us because he’s a huge fan.”
She snorts with a laugh. “I don’t believe that for one second. Reid already sent us flowers.”
“He what?”
“They arrived this morning. Thank you for the thoughtful gift, Reid.”
When the hell did he send them flowers? He forgot until I reminded him. Then we went in the shower and I got ready …
Oh, that bastard.
He’s good.
I glare at him. “Well, it seems my boyfriend just thought of everything, didn’t he?”
Wait, I said boyfriend. Holy shit. Reid is my boyfriend ... right? I mean, we’re dating so that would be the appropriate term. We both already confessed we love each other, which would insinuate that we’re exclusive and that this is really what we’re doing.
I look up, my heart racing as I wait to see what he’ll say or do, but he just smiles down at me. As though I’m some prize. Like the words that came from my mouth have given him some gift and I love it.
I love the look. I love everything that this is and the possibilities of what it could be. I love him.
“Yeah, he sort of did.” Reid squeezes my fingers.
I didn’t realize just how stupid I was about dating him until this moment. I was fighting against my feelings for him for what? To not have a chance to be happy? How did I not see just how his imperfections make him perfect for me?
Mom lets out a squeal. “And to think, you found a match for Reid and yourself all at the same time! Come inside, everyone will want to see you.”
We enter the house, which is packed with their friends, and make the rounds. The entire time, Reid finds a way to touch me. It’s sweet, and I secretly love every second of it. He’s charming—as usual—and makes small talk with a few of my dad’s business friends.
After an hour, Aspen finally shows up. She was giving homage to the mother earth or some shit.
I give up with her.
She gets smug the moment she sees us together. “Reid and Willow ... who would’ve thunk it? It’s not like there was any indication of it or anything.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t have to gloat.”
“Oh, but I do.”
