Perfect Match

by Monica Miller

  I took a sip of my wine glass, and wondered how I am going to get out of the restaurant drunk on these heels. Eh, I had Morgan for it.

  “I’ll be back, babe,” Craig promised, bumping his fist to Marshall’s and got away.

  “I’m funnier than he is,” Marshall stated and we all started to laugh.

  The time flew and Becca always showed up to fill my glass with wine until Morgan protested, and said he wanted me to have all my senses, whatever that meant. I really felt a little tired and the whole place was kind of spinning with me.

  “So…” Gabrielle started while drinking her 3rd glass of wine. “I hate this thing. I mean, we gone out two days ago and he should’ve called! Movie stars…” she said.

  “I knew it!” Monica laughed. I saw her drinking more than all of us. She wasn’t used to spend the night without Ben, I guess. And note to self, never mix Martini with Bloody Mary and three glasses of wine.

  “This isn’t funny,” Gabrielle cut her off. “The dinner was nice! Can you believe, Emma, that I’m saying a dinner was nice? I didn’t even think about the fact that he was Shia LaBoeff… But he was. And he’s not freaking calling!”

  “Why don’t you call?” Marshall shrugged, and Gabrielle glared at him. “Sorry! He should call…” he added. “Women are freaks,” he whispered to Craig and he nodded. So did Morgan. What?!

  “Hey, guys! Sorry I’m late!” Ben arrived at our table, and Monica’s eyes just lightened as she heard his voice. I honestly think that’s beautiful.

  I was still thinking about Morgan’s nod, did he think that I was a freak? What’s the matter with them? Guys are actually weird!

  “Ben!” she purred, kissing him more passionate than she should have. I didn’t think Monica was a fan of PDA. But she was. It was almost embarrassing to look at them. They were totally in love! And I felt envy. I mean I have Morgan. And he’s nice.

  “Yes, I missed you too, babe,” Ben smiled and pulled out of the kiss. “Actually, I want to introduce you to someone. He’s like the greatest guy in the world…” he turned around. “Oh, there he is! Over here, man! Yeah, he never stops flirting,” Ben sighed.

  And then, Monica kissed Ben so passionately, and I realized I never kissed Morgan like that. Because I just didn’t feel that way. I liked him, a lot I might add, but I didn’t love him. Love is overrated, anyway, right?

  “Old habits die hard?” Morgan asked, laughing.

  “Yeah. Finally! So… He’s my best friend, Matt.”

  Then, after all my thinking, I lifted my head and my eyes met a pair of deep blue eyes, the eyes I’ve been thinking about the last 6 months.

  And right before picking up my jaw from the floor, Matt muttered a “Hi,” and smiled as he sat next to me.

  Chapter 9

  Sweet November in December

  ~ Matt Nicholls ~

  I’ve noticed how Emma’s eyes widened when she saw me there. I knew she didn’t expect that.

  I didn’t know about it until recently, when Ben started talking about Monica’s new best friend, some Emma, and he started describing her, and I just knew he was talking about my Emma.

  I sat next to her and smiled, and she just sighed, and looked at a redhead that seemed familiar, but I have no idea where I’ve seen her, who exchanged glances with Monica, and they both smirked, while the redhead nodded.

  Wait a minute, they knew about me? So Emma’s been talking about me? That’s a good thing!

  It was pretty weird, to sit next to her and not say anything, while her friends were totally checking me out. I tried to act like I had no idea, but I was used to that. Emma glared at the redhead, who just shrugged and looked at her phone. Again. I was actually trying hard to remember where did I know her from, but all I could think about was that I was sitting next to Emma, trying to hear some lame joke from a dude called Craig, I mean, the guy was lame. Though, I pretended to laugh at his joke when I caught Ben glaring at me. Yeah, he knew me too well. I sent him a “the-guy-is-deathly-boring” look and he sighed. At least now he won’t say anything. Ben can never win with me.

  “So, how you’ve been, Ems?” I asked, turning to look at her.

  “Okay,” she said, avoiding my eyes. What? That is all she says? We haven’t seen each other in 6 months! And two weeks, and a few days. Not that I’m counting or something. “You?” she finally asked.

  “Well… You know… Nothing much, really. What will you say if I offer to walk you home tonight?”

  She opened her mouth to say something, and the muscle guy who sat next to her put his arm around Emma’s shoulders. What? Wait a minute, go back to the start. Who was the muscle man? And he wasn’t even paying attention… Of course he was I mean I’m an attractive, elegant guy who is also new and… Wait, why was he paying attention in the first place? And what does that have to do with the fact that he placed his arm on her shoulders? Literally, I wanted to kill him.

  I looked at Ben, and he slightly shook his head and shrugged. What does that mean?

  “Yes, I mean… I think it would be okay,” she finally said with a shy smile.

  I just nodded, knowing I wouldn’t be capable of saying something coherent that would make me look smart. Because I am. Smart. And modest, that one too.

  Muscle man’s hand was still on her shoulders, and she actually seemed a little uncomfortable about that. He turned to her and whispered something in her ear and she smiled, then he took her hand. Why? Why would he hold Emma’s hand?

  Emma was dating that guy? Seriously? That guy? But he wasn’t that brilliant! Yeah, he must’ve had six pack abs and muscles all over, but seriously? That wasn’t the type of guy Emma needed. And I know what you’re all thinking. That I should be the guy Emma needed. Well, I could easily be, you know? I mean, I’m definitely smarter than muscle man! I’m sure he can’t say something smart.

  “I hate him!” the redhead whispered and threw her iPhone on the table.

  “Gabrielle, I still think you should call him. But please, guys, take away the knives,” the guy who wasn’t said a word finally spoke! I laughed at his comment.

  “Everyone knows I can’t call him. Right, Emma? Monica?”

  “He’s a nice guy, Gabrielle,” Monica said, shrugging. “You could. Instead of drinking, and driving us crazy. But it’s just a suggestion,” she smiled.

  God, that one was truly beautiful! I smirked at Ben and he sighed, totally knowing what I was thinking about. Ben was a nice guy, so he wouldn’t comment about me thinking his girlfriend was hot. We were best friends, better said, we were like brothers and he knew I wouldn’t even think of making a pass on his girlfriend. No matter how hot she was. And I didn’t think of that. I didn’t even try to picture her naked. Or in a bikini. I am actually doing that now. Yeah, she suits him.

  “I. Won’t. Call. Him,” Gabrielle said.

  Oh, Gabrielle! Now I know where I saw her! At Emma’s Prom. She was Prom Queen, along with some Ken who dumped her in the same day. And she was a cheerleader. Who… stalked me in my Senior Year, before going out with Ken. Oh, I’m good!

  “You should call who?” I heard myself talking. I mean, I could, now when I remember I actually talked to her in my Senior Year. So she wasn’t a stranger.

  Gabrielle stared at me for a few seconds as if she thought about talking to me. Why wouldn’t she?

  “Um… There is this guy…” she started, making a pretty long pause for my liking. Girls!

  “Called Shia LaBoeff…” Monica said, looking straightly at me and smiled. I smiled back. She was like my sister in law, after all.

  “You have a crush on a celebrity?” I asked, maybe way too soon.

  “No, I don’t have…” she started, and she seemed angry. “Okay, maybe a little bit.”

  “Celebrities are difficult, Gabrielle,” I told her. Not that I knew any celebrity. But I used to act like one all of my college years so I could relate.

  She smiled when I said her name,
and looked at Emma. Who wasn’t talking. Or doing anything. It was like she wasn’t even there. But was still holding muscle man’s hand and that, my friends, actually drove me crazy. I tried to focus on Gabrielle.

  “No, I mean, I know,” Gabrielle replied, and sighed. “I met him a few days ago, and he asked me to dinner and we went to dinner and it was all perfect and now he hasn’t called,” she said that all too fast, but I managed to understand it.

  “You had dinner with him? When?”

  “Two days ago.”

  “You know, that’s a simple one. It’s the 48 hours rule, so no one calls before that. You should’ve known that,” Oh no, she shouldn’t. Or should she? Do girls know about that stuff?

  “What do you mean by that?” Okay, she didn’t.

  Ben seemed really surprised and amused at the same time and was looking at me really interested to see how I’m gonna pull this off.

  “Um… You know… You… Go out with someone, but you don’t call before 48 hours or longer so you don’t seem… desperate,” I ended, avoiding Ben’s eyes.

  “So that’s why you haven’t called for three days?” Monica snapped.

  Oops. Not good! Not good at all.

  “No! I was really busy those days! You know, weekends are… like…” he sighed and glared at me. I was in trouble. I wondered if he still let me sleep at his place tonight. “I was busy,” he insisted. “With some jerk that stole my phone and actually thought I should respect that stupid rule,” he finished and smirked at me. Are we really doing this?

  “I don’t like you very much right now, Matt,” Monica said looking right into my eyes.

  “It doesn’t matter, I think I like you for the both of us,” I said and she couldn’t help but laugh. Emma switched uncomfortable in her chair and I wanted so badly to talk to her like I was talking to her friends.

  “So you don’t think I should call him?” Gabrielle continued.

  “You could, if you want to. But he’s a celebrity, and a pretty big one. The dude was freaking awesome in Transformers. He wants to play it cool, you know? Look, if he doesn’t call by tomorrow night, you will. Deal?”

  “Deal,” Gabrielle replied smiling. “Thank you, Matt,” she added.

  We kept talking for about half an hour, Gabrielle seemed to be happier than she was when I arrived. She was actually really nice, but I never got the chance to find out in high school. I was way too immature for that. And I still am.

  Monica and Ben decided to go and have a walk on the beach, and Emma said she wants go too and I agreed. Actually I couldn’t wait to be alone with her.

  She kissed muscle man, moment I had to look away, and Ben and Gabrielle noticed that. We said goodbye to Monica and Ben at the door, and headed to a pretty crowded street in silence.

  It was weird how comfortable I felt next to her, even though we didn’t say anything at all. She was walking gracefully next to me, in some really high heels and I offered her my arm and she took it with a smile.

  “So how come you’re here?” she asked after a few minutes.

  “I wanted to see…” You. “Ben,” I finished my sentence nodding to myself. “And I found out you knew Ben, so I kinda wanted to see you too.”

  “How did you know I knew Ben?” she asked confused.

  “You don’t check your Facebook, don’t you?” I asked laughing. She shook her head and continued her walking. “I saw Ben was our mutual friend while I was stalking your profile page,” I said sincerely. I did that! “So I asked him about you, and he said you were Monica’s roommate. The world’s is incredibly small, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it’s a small world,” she agreed. “So you’re here on vacation?”

  “No,” What? You can as well tell her you’re here for her! That wouldn’t be creepy at all. “I mean, yes. I am planning on staying for a few weeks, I guess. If Ben wants that too.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t…” she started, but never finished her sentence. I wanted to tell her a lot of things, but I couldn’t, so we just walked in silence.

  How could I tell her she was the only thing in my mind? That I really tried to do everything to get her off my mind, but nothing worked? She had a boyfriend now.

  And I decided to go in Los Angeles to see her.

  Not that I was in love with Emma or something. I was not. I’m sure of that.

  But I missed her. And to be truly honest, I don’t particularly like to be rejected. So I had to come here and change that. Ben disapproves, but he’s such good guy with a hot girlfriend. I don’t say Ben isn’t… No, I won’t use hot to describe my best friend, I will use acceptable and good-looking. I think girls usually find that appealing.

  I could just be Emma’s friend. It was actually pretty easy when we hung out last summer. I guess we could have that back. If I can, why wouldn’t her get of it?

  “Emma, I really missed you,” I told her. “I hope it doesn’t seem too weird, I mean, I noticed your muscle boyfriend over there.”

  “What?” she asked laughing. “Morgan is a very nice guy, just so you know.”

  “His name is Morgan? Gosh, that sounds like a… morgue?”

  “Matthew!” she cried but was still laughing. “He is nice. Seriously.”

  “So how long have you been dating?” I knew she wasn’t going to say she missed me too, maybe she didn’t even think of me these months. But I was planning on changing that.

  “Almost two months now,” she said. “Would you mind if I take these out?” she asked, looking at her shoes. “They are literally killing me! Monica made me wear them. She’s awful when it comes to fashion. I mean, you saw her! She’s perfect,” she sighed.

  I shook my head as a no, and smiled as she managed to take her shoes off and I took them for her, and she seemed grateful. And I was glad she was actually speaking to me, and her tone wasn’t weird anymore. Maybe she got over the shock of seeing me there.

  “How is college?” I asked her, offering my arm again and she took it without thinking twice, her hips slowly touching mine as we walked.

  “It’s awesome! Seriously, I love it. But it’s so difficult now, because I have exams coming up and I hate it and I’m so busy all the time!”

  “So you like L.A, right?”

  “What’s not to like?” she replied laughing. “I actually think it’s perfect now,” she said looking at me in a way I couldn’t understand.

  “I think so, too,” I replied and she nodded.

  We spoke, and laughed all the way towards her apartment. I bought her a chocolate ice cream and I got myself a vanilla one and we stood for half an hour on a bench laughing and making fun of each other.

  “So what are you planning on doing this Christmas?” Emma asked taking a bite from my ice cream.

  “Hey! Have I allowed you to do that?” I asked laughing. “I don’t know, I’ll ask Ben and see…”

  “Ben is taking Monica to Canada,” she said. Oh, crap! I was actually planning on staying the rest of the month here.

  “I don’t know then. I… What are you doing?”

  “I have no clue. Mom said at the beginning of the year she wants me home on holidays,” she smiled at me. I was starting to get used to her sweet smile. Sweet? You’re getting soft, man! She’s dating the muscle, brainless man. “But I haven’t talked to mom, so I don’t know. But you know, there is a good part, if I go home, you will go too, right?”

  So she actually wanted to be friends with me again?

  “Yeah, I guess so. And if you stay here, I will stay too, deal?”

  “Yes, deal,” she answered. “Now take me home, Nicholls,” she demanded, offering me her hand.

  “Sure, ma’am,” I took her hand and we walked holding hands till we arrived at her apartment. “See you tomorrow?” I asked hoping she would say yes.

  “Hmm… I don’t know,” she sighed, and looked away. “I have this huge project for Tuesday, but I guess I could squeeze you in around… What time?
”

  “Doesn’t matter, it’s not like I have something to do all day long,” I laughed.

  “You could come by around 1. Monica is off to play tennis with Ben, so you’d be also alone,” she said, shrugging.

  “Okay, it’s a date.” I said smiling.

  “It’s not a date, Nicholls,” she laughed, and I nodded.

  Then Emma did something completely unexpected. She took a step closer to me and wrapped her hands around me, holding me so close to her it almost hurt. I hugged her back and sighed. This gesture seemed so big and natural. It was like the most natural thing in the world.

  “I missed you too, Matthew,” she whispered to me so slow I could barely hear.

  I didn’t reply. I just stood there, holding her in my arms and thinking it shouldn’t be like this. I knew Emma and I weren’t supposed to be together. We had all the signs showing us that we’re just not perfect for each other, but sometimes it just seemed that way. The way I was holding her now, how well we got along, how her hand felt in mine…

  Still, our timing was never good. I met her weeks before she left for Los Angeles and now, when I am here with her, she has a boyfriend.

  No, we are not a perfect match and we don’t belong together. But I still want to be close to her.

  “Hey, Matt?” Emma asked when I turned around and I was about to leave.

  “Yes?” I had this annoying smile on my face, but I couldn’t help it. “Missing me already?” I added, making a step forward to be close to her.

  “Funny,” she replied sarcastically and ran her hand through her perfectly curled hair. “I was curious…” she started with a playful smile.

  “Keep talking. Just so you know, I always keep an open mind. About… Everything,” I winked at her, and she rolled her eyes.

  “And I’m sure you do. I just… I was curious to see if you are gonna stick by your 48 hours rule or will you call me sooner?”

  “Well, Miss West… Firstly, I had no idea this was a date, and secondly you will have to wait and find out by yourself. But we already have plans tomorrow, so you’re kind of stuck with me.”