Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,127

as I close my backpack, I heave a sigh of relief, knowing these three are coming with me. Afterward, I go to my atelier and double-check that the door is properly locked. Yep, at least no one will come here and take my paintings away.

I head to the entrance and find Mom and Dad waiting for me beside the main door. I’m shaking at the idea that they could send the bodyguards to follow me, but instead of showing it, I give them a broad smile and put on my most confident voice. “Alright, Matt is downstairs. See you both on Sunday.”

“If you need anything, just call us.” I give Mom a kiss for the sake of letting me go. And although her sugary tone is truly irritating, I have no idea if I’ll ever see her again, and if I do, I doubt she’ll use the same tone.

“Yes, Mom.” Then I give my dad a quick kiss on the cheek, but before I can go, he holds me by the shoulders and looks me straight in the eye.

“Petra.” His strident voice nearly makes me jump. “I hope you’re gonna behave there.” I have no idea what he means by that. Doesn’t he know I have a fiancé?

“Matthew and I are friends,” I remind him, outraged at his lack of decency.

“I’m not talking about that.” Fuck! His stare goes right through me and leaves me totally exposed and mortified. At that moment, I know exactly what he is talking about. “Be wise.” And he lets his words sink in as he presses his lips to my head.

After swallowing dryly, I say, “Alright. Have a great weekend.” Then I open the door, walk outside, and smile one last time at the two tyrants I’m leaving behind.

Standing in front of my building, I find Matthew’s car waiting at the curb. To my surprise, Katrina, Sarah, and David are sitting in the back seat, and I let a quick smile escape at the realization that Matthew reserved the front one for me.

“Hey,” I greet as I get into the car, looking first at the group behind me. Then my gaze goes to Matthew, who’s already smiling at me. His hair is just as messy as usual, which gives me an immediate urge to try to compose it. As I brush his hair a bit to the side and back with my fingers, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him as happy as he is now. His eyes are gleaming, and his smile has never been so joyful.

“Is it better?” he asks as I observe his hairstyle.

“Not really, but it’s fun to play with your hair.” Not sure why I said that, even though it’s true.

As he keeps his eyes pinned on me, he says, “I can’t believe Ms. Van Gatt is coming with us.”

Letting out a quick chuckle, my gaze drifts to my lap, a bit embarrassed at his comment, especially as he said it out loud in front of everyone else. “Miracles do happen,” I reply in a low voice.

All of a sudden, though, Matthews reaches down and lays his right hand on top of mine, which is resting on my lap, and leans closer to me. “Thanks for joining us,” he whispers near my ear, before giving me a kiss on the cheek. My heart might have sped up at his unexpected touch. Not knowing what to think of it, I just give him a quick smile in return. Then his attention goes back to the road, and he starts driving, putting two hands on the steering wheel.

After twenty-five minutes in, the car is filled with laughter, music, and playful chitchat, but I remain a bit aloof, looking pensively out the window as I think about what I’m about to do later tonight. I feel a bit sad for Matthew. Despite all our disagreements, he seems truly happy to have me here. And leaving tonight means I won’t get to celebrate his twentieth birthday tomorrow with him and the group. Once I run away, not even telling him why, Matthew is gonna feel quite resentful toward me, and maybe even betrayed. My attention shifts quietly toward his face. While his stare is pinned on the road, he keeps singing and dancing in his seat to a Katy Perry song that is now playing on Spotify. My lips twitch into a grin as I observe him. And I can’t help wondering, would I have fallen in love with him if Alex had