Matthew

What on earth was she wearing?

Matthew never really dreaded anything. But as he pulled up the driveway of his brother's two-story home, Miles on the passenger seat fresh off from school, he dreaded Jessica Keith's wardrobe. He turns off the engine. The thought that she will be inside the house made his stomach twist in knots. He sat on the driver's seat, wondering what ridiculous outfit he'll find her in again.

"Uncle Matty?"

He blinks, suddenly drawn out of his thoughts. "Sorry, bud. I thought I saw something run past the car."

Miles leans over, straining his seatbelt. "A cat, maybe?"

"I don't know. Maybe." He unbuckled his seat belt and did Miles' next. He reaches for his nephew's backpack in the backseat while the latter pushes the car door open and got out of the car. Matthew followed suit, hoping she's still at work and then wondered if she went in the first place.

Miles held his hand, leading him to the door. Apparently, Matthew is the only one not thrilled to be home. Pulling out a sigh, he unlocks the door before he changes his mind and run off like a headless chicken.

His nephew rushed in. He stared at his nephew's back as he dashed toward the direction of the guest rooms, calling his godmother.

He hears her voice. But not from the guest rooms. It was coming from the pool outside. He was about to tell his nephew where she was but the tension on her tone made him change his mind. Out of curiosity, now he wanted to see her for himself too.

Matthew finds himself sneaking toward the sliding doors left wide apart which allowed a tensed one-sided conversation flood in the kitchen. He gambled a peek.

Jessica was pacing back and forth by the pool, her phone in her ear. She was wearing really short shorts and a cropped tank top. He shouldn't be surprised, but he was distracted from the conversation for a moment. Then he overhears the word "mom" which snapped him out of his distracted state. The mention of neither one of her parents launched an alarming urge to eavesdrop.

Not that they were total strangers to him but, it's the fact that they weren't. Google would say they're the finest divorce lawyers in the city. However, Matthew has more valuable source of information.

Charity events.

Matthew knows them – so well that a rapport with Jessica might have been a possibility long ago considering the span of eight years he's known her parents. But there was never a window of opportunity. Not even the slightest because never once had he seen Jessica and her parents in the same room.

Lillian and Jordan Keith are stern figures of authority. Both in their workplaces and probably at home. Honestly, he was immensely astonished when he met the wild and clumsy Jessica. With the firm upbringing he assumed a daughter of two no-nonsense attorneys, he pictured her as a total opposite of what he's seeing right before his eyes.

Matthew scooted further against the sliding doors to hear more. He was never an "eavesdropper", but he hasn't seen Jessica this upset. Anyone on his shoes will be curious, for sure.

Jessica is talking about someone's birthday party. She's mad about it.

Hmm.

No. She's mad about a particular someone being invited to that birthday party. Oh, and it's a "he." An ex-lover from high school? He's not one to gossip, but at charity events where he's surrounded by gossipmongers, he heard a thing or two about Jessica Keith.

She was a straight A student until she started getting into fights and never going to class. She almost got kicked out of prep school, but her parents and the headmistress had been friends for a long time, she was given countless second chances. She went into law school just like both her parents but quit after a year and became a photographer. Her parents were not happy about it. Apparently, still is. There's one rumor that stuck with him for years. It's that wherever Jessica Keith goes, she leaves a string of broken hearts behind.

See? He knows a thing or two.

"Uncle Matty?"

He almost jumped. "Yes, bud? Nothing."

His nephew stands in front of him, head curiously tilted to one side. "What are you doing?"

"Hey, I found aunt Jess." He plastered on a big, fat grin and gestured to the pool. Guilt took over his curiosity.

Miles' confusion was dashed with delight, replacing the crinkled brows with a happy smile. "Aunt Jess!" He hurried past him as he bounces on his toes.

He looked over his shoulder to look directly at Jessica for the first time since this morning. She wore a scowl that melted away with the sight of a delighted Miles. She hung up the phone and shove it to the back pocket of her denim shorts. "Hi, Mile-sy! How's school today?"

Miles practically threw himself on her leg and clawed excitedly to her embrace. His nephew's enthusiasm shouldn't bother him, but not when Jessica is wearing another top with strings for a strap. Again.

However, wardrobes aside, Jessica is great with kids. Their godchildren don't just love her. They adore her like role model.

With Miles in her arms, he looks over to him. Matthew opens his mouth. She did too. But none of them really said a word. And then he realizes they really don't have anything to say to each other.

It was another awkward moment sprouting to life. They have anything but awkward moments since they met anyway.

The doorbell rings, finally, sparing them from that potential awkward moment. They both stared at each other, both puzzled and both clueless. He doesn't have the answer. She doesn't have it either. Who could be in the front door? – neither of them know.

"I have a playdate with my cousins," Miles finally filled in the growing silence.

Oh. The calendar.

Why in the world didn't he think of that?

Matthew sighed, eyes on Jess'. "I'll get the calendar."

At least that's something they can talk about.

Hi, lovelies! I really hope you're all doing okay. Thank you so much for reading and voting. My book is about to reach 10K reads and that makes me the happiest person on earth. Love you! Xoxo.