-What do we have for lunch? Oh… pasta!
They started eating. Matthew had more or less gotten used to Diana's cooking, but he was too proud to ever admit it.
He'd already been nice enough to her today.
-Why didn't Jacob come? Weren't you supposed to have a day off today?
He glanced at her briefly and stabbed his fork into a piece of pasta.
+There's no such thing as a day off for us. There's always work. And right now, we're busier than ever.
Once things slow down a bit, you two can play together.
She complained,
-We're not kids. Don't talk like that.
+You're not. But you sure act like it.
Diana said calmly,
-He's just distracting me. That's all.
And she tried to focus on her food.
Matthew stared at her for a moment.
+Who was on the phone? Don't tell me it was your girlfriend. A lesbian?
-Oh my God… have you lost your mind?
I'm not gay.
He raised an eyebrow, questioning.
+You sure? Because nobody talks to their friend like that.
-The correct version is: guys don't talk to their friends like that.
We do. We flirt with our friends all the time. Like they're our boyfriends…
And she laughed to herself at Matthew's narrowed eyes and suspicious look.
+Hmm… what else?
-For example, we try to piss off each other's boyfriends.
We talk behind our partners' backs. Compliment each other in sexy ways, or…
She paused, just to make it hit harder.
-Sometimes we even send nudes.
Matthew stared at her with wide eyes.
+You're kidding.
She shook her head seriously.
-No. I'm serious.
His brows knitted together.
+How nude are we talking?
Diana had grabbed the thread and wasn't letting go.
-As much as we trust each other.
From erotic poses all the way to...ooof… the end.
Matthew pressed his lips together and noisily dropped his fork onto the plate.
His appetite was completely gone.
+That one… the one you were talking to. How much do you trust her?
-Julien? Oh… a lot. She's actually one of my closest friends.
She has full clearance. All the way.
Matthew slammed his hands on the table and stood up, grabbing his phone.
+Your password.
-Why?
+Give me your damn password!
Diana tried to hide her smile.
Staying serious was getting really hard.
-My phone is personal. I can't give you the password.
Annoyed and irritated by how stubborn she was, he smirked.
+Yeah?
Fine. No problem. I can knock you out and use your fingerprint.
Diana realized she'd gone too far.
She grabbed her wrists.
-I was joking… seriously. I didn't send nudes to anyone.
It was just a joke. Sit down, I'll explain.
Matthew took a deep breath and sat back down.
-Julien was telling me that James showed up at the restaurant with broken hands and just said someone did this to him. then my poor friend thought to herself that whoever did it deserves to have their hands or whatever..kissed.
She burst out laughing, while Matthew looked at her hopelessly.
Stupid little kid.
-So I told her she could have me. My lips… and the rest, which you heard.
That's also where I said your friend is trustworthy. She said yeah, her name's Diana and she has blue eyes.
And I said what a pretty name. That's it.
We were about to take it a bit further when you showed up and ruined everything.
Matthew shook his head in stunned disappointment.
+You're really a child.
Diana's smirk seriously got on his nerves.
With every second that passed, she seemed to take him less seriously.
-Yeah… go on then. Knock me out.
+No need. I'll just be a little rough with you in bed, you'll pass out on your own.
She lowered her head.
+How do you blush so fast?
-How can you turn everything into sex?
+Eat your food. Stop being so bold and shameless.
They went quiet and kept eating when a few minutes later Diana's phone buzzed briefly.
She unlocked it and saw Luca's name.
-Oh my God… Luca.
Matthew stared at her but said nothing.
-Hah… he sent the address. He said I can go see him tomorrow.
Oh God… I can't believe it. He's okay.
+How do you know it's really him?
-There are some signs in the texts. I can tell.
She looked at Matthew.
-Can I go?
+Eat your food.
She insisted,
-Please… answer me.
Irritated, he swallowed hard under her pleading blue eyes.
+Only if you cook for a whole week.
Diana jumped up and down in place.
-Okay, okay! Whatever you want.
+What time are you going?
-He said I should be there at five.
+I'll tell Jacob to go with you. I'll come after.
-Thank you…