Perfect Match

by Monica Miller

  “True,” he said jumping in bed next to me and placing his hand around my waist, making my heart stop even though I thought I’d be too tired to feel anything. “Yeah, this is perfect.”

  I nodded without another word and I closed my eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.

  *

  I opened my eyes and the room was surrounded by darkness. For a minute I had no idea where I was or why I was so tired, and then I realized Matt’s arms around me and his head on my shoulder. I slowly turned to look at him in the dim light that came through the window. He looked so peaceful and beautiful. I bit my lip trying to stop all the images I had in my mind. Then I remembered I was in New York and I’d spent the day sleeping!

  I got out of bed as soon as possible and took a really quick shower and dressed in jeans and a black blouse with a jacket on top and decided to go out. Maybe I should’ve woken Matt, but I knew he was tired and it was cruel to interrupt his sleep, so I went out by myself.

  The truth is, New York was more impressive then I originally thought.

  The air was completely different than in Los Angeles, especially since here was actually cold and there was still snow on the pavement. I looked around and 5th Avenue was lightened and full of life. It was really interesting the streets were still crowded even though it was past 11 PM. I saw a Starbucks close enough so I walked there with my hands deep in my pockets, looking all around and trying to keep the images of a vivid New York in my mind forever.

  After waiting in a line for 10 long, boring minutes I got my coffee and I couldn’t stay and drink it there on a wooden, lifeless table while New York was waiting for me to explore everything. I started walking on 5th Avenue pulled my coat tighter around me and I hated that I didn’t have another jacket since I haven’t anticipated how cold it would be. I hated that Matt wasn’t here with me now. But I couldn’t wake him up because he’d think I’m insane for wanting to see New York at night and I knew he was supposed to go to a meeting in the morning. Just when I was about to head down the street I saw Matt getting out of our hotel.

  “Emma, I’ve been worried sick!” he told me as he headed out of the Empire with his hands in his pockets. “How can you just go out by yourself at night in a city like New York?” he scolded me and I just shrugged my shoulders.

  “Here, take my coffee,” I told him with a smile. His eyes widened and he was about to yell at me some more when I continued, “I’m sorry, I was just excited. I know you must’ve been worried and I’m sorry.”

  “C’mon, Ems…” he sighed, and took a sip from my coffee. “This is actually my favorite, thank you.”

  “I know,” I replied with a shy smile.

  When I got in front of the desk to order my coffee I ordered Matt’s favorite instead because I hated he was sleeping and not here with me and somehow that made me feel like he was there.

  “Why didn’t you wake me when you left?”

  “Because you were tired, I made you stay awake the whole night… I knew you have a busy day tomorrow and I was so excited about seeing New York now, so… I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, but seriously, Emma, stop disappearing. And I wanna see New York, too. Stop being selfish, love,” he said and my heart stopped.

  What? He never calls me things. He always calls me Ems or Emma, when he’s mad. And now since he was pretty mad, why was he… Okay, stop analyzing things, Emma!

  “What you think about Times Square?” he asked taking my hand in his.

  “Yeah, somehow there is where I was heading now.”

  “Without me… Yeah, nice one, Ems,” he complained and I laughed.

  “What are you gonna do tomorrow? I mean, you do have a lot of things to do…”

  “First, I’m gonna be great, like I always am,” he replied with a smirk on his face and I sighed. “Second, I’ll complain about you keeping me up all night just to see New York… And maybe I’ll get to visit my cousin, George. What about you?”

  “Have no idea. Maybe I’ll go see a movie on Broadway or something? Unless you want me to wait for you.”

  “I actually prefer you to wait. I’ve never been to Broadway, so… Don’t go without me. Anywhere,” he ordered and I nodded.

  We kept talking all the way to Times Square and my hand almost froze, but of course I didn’t say anything because I preferred holding his hand. We walked around Times Square, talking and commenting - mostly Matt - about the advertising and the upcoming movies. Then we went to a café to warm a little bit and Matt sat next to me on the cozy couch and had his hand on my shoulders and we talked about everything, laughing loudly and making the few clients that were still there stare at us.

  The rest of the night just went by flying, we walked around the streets of New York, mostly freezing and laughing. Of course people looked at us like we were a couple, but we definitely weren’t. Although we were holding hands and he casually placed his arm around my shoulders and whispered in my ear sending shivers down my spine.

  We returned to the hotel at half past 5 and we lied in bed under the hot blankets and Matt was holding me in his arms being so close to me I felt my body warming up immediately. We couldn’t go to sleep, because Matt was supposed to meet the new client at 9, but we talked and ordered breakfast at 6 and a half and then watched a rerun of Friends.

  I helped him pick a tie, he always had that problem and he stayed in front of the mirror for more than half an hour, trying to arrange his hair even though I told him a thousand of times he looked okay. He didn’t look okay, he was hot and beautiful but I couldn’t say that.

  “I hate you’re staying here in a warm bed… Without me,” he said sitting on the edge of the bed and he ran his hand through my hair.

  “Well, you should’ve become a secretary,” I joked and he laughed.

  “Yeah, let’s switch places today, whatcha think?” he asked slowly touching my hand.

  “No, I think I’m okay. But you go have fun, Mr. Nicholls,” I told him with a laugh. “Go and surprise him. And make him invest in our company. I’m sure you will convince him from the very first time his eyes will lay on you.”

  “So you think I look good?” he asked with a grin.

  “No…” I replied and he looked at me in surprise. “C’mon, Matt, you know you’re hot.”

  “Wait, wait you think I’m hot?”

  “No,” I answered immediately and he laughed. “I’m just saying… that you…” I sighed.

  “God, you’re so beautiful, Emma.”

  I looked into his eyes and I felt my cheek burning. I hated that. I couldn’t put away the fact that he affects me more than he should. He caressed my cheek and I gave him a shy smile and he lent towards me and his lips touched my forehead. I stopped breathing until he pulled away.

  “Okay, I’ll go now,” he said as he got up and checked himself again in the mirror and I rolled my eyes. “I can see you, Ems. I won’t be too late. I’ll be soon back to complain about the fact that I’m so tired now! Be good,” he warned me and I laughed and nodded.

  After he closed the door behind him I sat in bed and thought about everything that happened between us recently. That he was acting so nice since he broke up with Kate. I couldn’t afford to think like that though. I tried not to keep analyzing things and closed my eyes and fell asleep.

  I could’ve sworn I only slept for five minutes when the bed moved and I noticed Matt shirtless next to me. He told me not to wake up. I moved closer to him and placed my head on his chest. and his hand rested on my waist and before falling asleep again I thought about how perfect this is. How great we could be together. I could spend my whole life just staying here with him.

  *

  “Wake up, sleeping beauty,” Matt whispered softly in my ear as his hand caressed my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes and noticed his face was only inches from mine and I completely froze. “I talked to my cousin, he invited us for dinner. In two hours that is.”

  He smiled as I tried to get out
of bed and I went to bathroom and turned on the water as I retained a yawn. Something was definitely going on with Matt because he was acting way too strange. All his smiles and attentions… He couldn’t actually see me differently, he was way too distracted because Kate left and maybe he needed a rebound or something.

  I tried to relax under the pressure of the hot water and end up spending more than half an hour in the bath, then I realized I had to put on some make up, straighten my hair and decide on some clothes. After all, I knew nothing about his cousin and it was kind of weird. And besides that, it was freaking cold in New York.

  “Could you be any later?” Matt asked and I laughed after he used his Chandler tone. “We should leave in… 30 minutes,” he said as he arranged his black tie in the mirror.

  “Don’t worry I can finish up in 30 minutes. Even 29 if you don’t get in the way.”

  Of course 30 minutes later I wasn’t even close to finish my makeup. The hair was a pain in the ass, considering it looked so messy and it seemed to have its own mind and Matt was almost going crazy as he paced around the room, sat on the lounge with his hands crossed over his chest, went out on the balcony to take some air, came back and scolded me for being late, checked himself in the mirror again and then he sat on the edge of the bed and turned the TV on.

  After another 20 minutes I could say I was ready, although I wondered a lot about the shoes, Matt said it doesn’t matter, but how could I wear green shoes at a beige outfit? Why did I need to bring green shoes? I choose the black ones and Matt seemed really relieved when I told him I was ready.

  When you read about it in books or see a movie, getting a cab seems the easiest job in the world. Well, it wasn’t. I was freezing outside while Matt cursed. He complained about the fact that I couldn’t be ready faster.

  The cab ride was annoying, the car smelled bad and it was kind of cold, although Matt insisted twice to turn on the heat while he held my hands in his to warm up. The driver kept the volume of the music really high and I barely could concentrate on anything else but the bad music I was hearing. Matt didn’t even bother to say anything else maybe he wished we would get to his cousin’s house alive. When we arrived Matt left the driver a small tip and the last one left while muttering something. I started laughing and Matt shrugged and then we walked holding hands towards an old grey building with the number 43 on the main door.

  “Matt!” A tall blonde man exclaimed when he opened the door. “Man, you’ve grown up!” he added before pulling him into a bear hug.

  I looked around a little bit uncomfortable because it’s always awkward to meet someone new, especially when they totally ignore you. I noticed the man had bright blue eyes and his expression was somehow raw and gave the impression of a wild man… Just like people from Texas.

  “So you’re Emma?” he finally asked his eyes moving to mine and I realized he was totally checking me out. Matt pushed him to the side and he took my hand and we walked into a bright apartment where smelled like cinnamon and meat.

  “Uncle Matt!”

  I saw something really small running towards Matt and he lifted him from the ground and he tossed him over his shoulder like he weighted nothing and then he started tickling him while the little one started laughing.

  “Ems, I wanna introduce you to someone,” Matt started turning to look at me. “This is my little monster, Travis.”

  “Hey Travis, I’m Emma,” I told him with a smile and he returned it, his big brown eyes reflecting his innocence and I was really impressed that he blushed when we made eye contact and he turned to look at Matt who nodded at him.

  “Is she your gilfliend, Uncle Matt?” Travis asked and I laughed.

  “Aren’t you too young to know about those things?” Matt avoided his question sending a glare to George who just shrugged.

  “C’mon, Lydia is dying to see you,” George said as he took Travis from Matt’s arms and headed in the kitchen. I wanted to stay in the living room and look at the framed pictures from the shelf, but Matt took my hand and dragged me with him.

  Somehow it felt weird that he was holding my hand now in front of his family, but I didn’t say anything. How could I? I enjoyed every touch of his, every glance or smile. I knew maybe this was because of New York, it was a different city, he was kind of heart broken because of his break up with Kate and he needed someone to hold onto and I was the closest person to him so maybe he thought I’d could… replace Kate? Maybe he didn’t think about how weird it would be between us, but for a moment I stopped caring. Everyone around me said Matt and I would look good together, and when we were together everything made sense. So I allowed myself for a few moments to think of the possibility.

  Lydia was brown haired and she was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She talked a lot, like really a lot, but I didn’t care because she somehow made sense. We laughed all the time while we ate and Travis keep looking at me in a weird way, but I knew kids get jealous when people they like pay attention to anyone else. So it must’ve been weird for him to see Matt talking to me all the time and smiling at me like he always does or running his hand through my hair.

  “C’mon, sweetie, time for bed,” Lydia announced and lifted Travis. “Say ‘bye’ to Matt and Emma,” she whispered to him and I couldn’t retain a smile.

  “Bye, Uncle Matt!” he said excited. “I’ll miss you,” he added and I squeezed Matt’s hand and he placed his hand around my shoulders.

  “Good night, buddy,” Matt told him with a sweet smile. “Hey, whatcha think if you go tomorrow with us on a stroll in C.P?”

  “Do you mean Central Park, Uncle Matt?” Travis asked with his eyes wide open.

  “Yeah. Want to?”

  “Sure! Can I go, mommy?”

  “Um… I don’t know,” she said looking at George then at Matt and finally at me. “Do you mind, Emma?” Lydia asked me and I couldn’t really understand why.

  “Of course not! It would be our pleasure right, Matt?” I asked and he nodded.

  “You’re cool, Emma!” Travis said with a big smile.

  I smiled back and then Lydia took him to bed. I felt better after knowing Travis didn’t dislike me or anything and I was excited about taking him to park with Matt.

  We kept talking for another couple of hours and then Matt said it was late enough and he had business to do in the morning and said we’ll come pick Travis up in the afternoon. Lydia hugged me when we left and made me promise we’ll visit them again while staying in New York. It was only 10 PM when we left their house, but it was colder than earlier and I pulled my coat closer and Matt wrapped his right arm around my waist and leaned into me and kissed my cheek and I froze. He smiled at my reaction, and I decided not to say anything. We found pretty easily a cab and the atmosphere was pretty cozy in it and the driver seemed really nice and had the radio turned on and it played Fur Elise, Beethoven’s song on a decent level. Matt placed his hand around me and I rested my head on his shoulder.

  “Have a good night,” Matt told the driver when we got out of the car and definitely tipped him better than the first one.

  “Same to you, young man. And you two are such a lovely couple,” he commented and he drove away before I could say that we were not a couple.

  “Funny how everyone think so, right, Ems?” Matt asked as we entered the hotel and I wondered what he referred when he said “everyone”. I knew Monica totally shipped us and Gabrielle pretty much agreed with her, even Kate said so. But he didn’t know that, right?

  I just nodded and we walked back to our room and laughed till the sun came up and then he complained again about the fact that I didn’t allow him to sleep, although he was the one saying “C’mon, Ems, don’t be boring, we didn’t came to New York to sleep!” all the time. I played along.

  “I think it’ll be all over today. This guy, Jake who looks exactly like Ross, is almost ready to sign us. And it’s a good thing. I booked the room for the entire week and tomorrow we could go
like… everywhere and just waste our time around.”

  “The time spent in New York is never wasted,” I warned him and he nodded while he tried to tie his black tie. “Let me help you,” I said walking towards him and he smiled. “Also, don’t be too late you don’t wanna make Travis wait, right?”

  “Of course not. He’s so great, don’t you think?”

  “Adorable. And you’re almost late,” I said with a smirk. “Go and be great, Nicholls.”

  “I always am great, but thank you, Miss West,” he said as his lips touched my cheek and I just smiled. “Laters, baby,” he said with a smirk and I burst out laughing at his Christian Grey line.

  The rest of the day I just walked around 5th Avenue with my Starbucks coffee in hand, because I couldn’t sleep anymore and I preferred admiring the view and just observing how people acted in New York. It was mind blowing the fact that the people who lived there took it for granted when people like me died to live there.

  I returned to the hotel around 12 and called Gabrielle, who was really upset because of Shia, who went to promote his movie in Romania, because he had gone there to film it and he didn’t ask her to go with him. She said she wouldn’t have gone with him, but she was still hurt. And she had Jensen who texted her all the time and she felt bad for it, but what was there to think about? We were talking about Jensen Ackles and Shia LaBoeuf. Shia is a wonderful actor but I kind of think Gabrielle and Jensen would be really great together. If only he’d broke up with Danneel Harris!

  Of course I didn’t tell Gabrielle about Matt’s weird behavior because she’d just start talking about how I should take advantage of it and blah blah… She knows I won’t do anything! We talked for an hour and she told me how Rick was so happy because he had the apartment to himself and that he hang out with Marshall a lot. Monica and Ben were just as happy as always, but Monica was really busy with her job.