~{Chapter 27}~

"Hi, Kate. I was just calling to tell you that I really enjoyed last night. Thanks for being willing to meet with me and talk," Matt's message says as I play it back while in my office the next day.

I smile and call him back. I pull up a book to edit on my computer as I wait for Matt to pick up.

"Hello?" he asks when he answers.

"I just wanted to thank you for the kind message, and I had a good time, too," I tell him.

"Thanks. I was worried that you wouldn't think so. I know it hasn't been the easiest having me back and all," he says quietly.

I smile. "Well, I did. I've got to go, but I'll hopefully talk to you later."

"Sounds good. Bye," he says before hanging up.

I set the phone down and start editing. My thoughts drift away from thinking about Matt, and I am able to focus on my work. It allows me to have everything I need finished, completed by the end of the day.

At six o'clock, I am already packing up my things to leave. This is the first time I have finished my work before seven-thirty or later in a long, long time. Beth walks into the office with a surprised look.

"What's going on here?" she asks me.

I smile. "I finished everything I needed to, and I'm going home to relax and watch a Hallmark movie."

"Well, I guess there really is a first time for everything," she teases.

I roll my eyes. "I guess so. Can you lock up for me?"

"Sure thing! Have a great night watching your cheesy romance movie without me," she says jokingly.

"If you're going to play that card, then I guess you can come," I say.

She laughs and smiles. "Just kidding. I have a date night planned with Sam again."

I pick up my bag and purse and put them on my shoulder as I say, "Sounds like fun. He's such a romantic, isn't he? Well, I'll see you later."

She nods and laughs as I walk out of my office and out of the building. I unlock my car and place my things in the passenger seat. I then get into the driver seat and drive the short distance to my house.

I walk inside the house and set my things down. I rush up the stairs to my room to put my pajamas on. I pull my hair into a messy bun and clean my face, leaving no makeup on. I then hurry back downstairs to the kitchen where I fix myself some chicken and mashed potatoes. I pop some popcorn after I finish making my dinner.

I pick up my food and take it into my living room. I set all of it down on the coffee table and sit down on the couch. I unfold the blanket that is on the edge of the couch and place it on top of me. I am about to start the movie when my phone rings. I sigh and pick my phone up.

"Hello?" I ask.

"Kate. I need to tell you something," Matt says in a small voice.

"Um, okay?" I reply in a questioning voice.

"Promise me that you won't freak out," he almost pleads.

"Okay," I say again with curiosity and hesitancy.

"When you showed up in New York City a year ago, I was shocked yet happy. When you told me about James, I knew that I couldn't push for anything. I needed to let you heal. When I needed a friend, I got your message about the call you got from Harper. That's when I knew I had made a huge mistake. I came back to South Hart to recover, but I also came back see you. Kate, I still like you more than a friend. That's why it took me forever to be able to muster up enough courage to talk to you and ask for forgiveness."

I have a hard time replying, but I manage to squeak out, "Why are you telling me all of this?"

He sighs. "I honestly don't know, but I think it's the right thing to do. I'm not asking anything from you. I just want to be friends because I know that's what we both really need at this point in time."

"Okay," I state softly.

"Well, I'll talk to you later. Have a nice night," he says as he hangs up.

I set the phone down and take a deep breath as I start the movie. I ignore the butterflies in my stomach and watch the movie. Throughout the night, I yell at the TV because of the cheesy yet good movie.

Still, in the back of my mind is the conversation with Matt. Where in the world did his confession come from?

~-~-~-~
Two days go by without any form of contact with Matt, and I can not say I am not slightly relieved. I just have no idea why he said those things, especially at this point. It makes me wonder if he was drunk or something because I am pretty sure he would never say anything like that.

A knock comes at my office door, interrupting my thoughts. The door swings open, and Miss Stevens is standing in the doorway with someone behind her.

"Someone is here to see you," she says.

I raise my eyebrow. "Okay. Um, let the person in. Oh, and how is your little one doing?"

She smiles. "Wonderful. I'll leave you two be."

I nod, and she steps aside to let the person in. Of course, it has to be Matt. He looks at me with a worried expression, but he still has a small smile on his face.

"Hi," I say quietly.

He nervously replies, "Hi. I thought it would be a good idea to come talk to you about what I said the other night."

I gesture for him to sit down, and he does. He adjusts his suit jacket as he sits down and gives me a nervous glance.

"So," I start, "Did you mean what you said? It sounded nothing like you, but I know stranger things have happened. Why would you come out about it, especially now?"

He sighs. "It was definitely me. I was myself completely, and honestly have no idea why I told you. I was just sitting in the dining room at the bed and breakfast, and I just found myself thinking about it. If I had a reason that I remembered, it was to get it off my chest. I meant what I said, though. I'm not expecting anything besides friendship from you."

I clear my throat. "I appreciate that. Matt. Still, I have no idea where we stand anymore. This all has been so confusing for me, and I don't know what to make of it all."

He nods and leans forward slightly. "I think the biggest thing here is trying to become friends again. I messed up, and I fully own up to it. The last time we had a talk over the phone was the day when I blew you off. I realize I did that for the last year. Kate, I just want to get you back as my friend. I miss you and being able to hang out with you and being able to talk about life."

I smile. "I miss it too. How about we just spend time together as friends for a bit and see how that goes?"

"That's all I want."

I nod. "I'm glad that's agreed upon. Oh, and please don't feel like you need to apologize to me every time you see me."

He gives me a sheepish smile. "Sorry?"

I give him one of my joking glares. "Not funny."

"You've got to admit it's funny," he says with a laugh.

I roll my eyes and ask, "So, what are you going to be doing while you're here? Where's Harper?"

"Well, I'll hopefully be making some music and getting a break from the media. As of Harper, she went to Bark. She thought staying there might be the best. Plus, she's found a building she can rent as a place to stay and work."

I nod at his words, and my secretary walks in at that second. She gives me an apologetic look.

"Miss Garner," she starts, "Mr. Parker is here to see you, and you have a meeting with one of your authors in about an hour."

Matt rises to leave as I reply, "Okay, thank you for letting me know. Please let Mr. Parker in."

She nods and leaves, and Matt says, "That's my cue to leave. I'll see you later. Have fun."

I smile, and he smiles back before opening the door and walking out, passing Mr. Parker on his way out. They stop and talk for a few minutes before Mr. Parker walks in and closes the door behind him.

"Hello, Miss Garner. I understand you're extremely busy, so this won't take a lot of time. As I understand, this branch is doing beyond what I thought could be possible. This is why I'm asking you to come help me represent the branches of the Parker Publishing and Editing Company in New York City in a couple of weeks at the NYC National Book Event. It's going to be a large event, celebrating the book industry and such. I'm sure you've heard of it," he tells me with a smile on his face.

"I have heard of it, and I'm so honored that you would choose me to do this," I say, trying to not betray all the excitement I feel.

"You deserve it. You built a branch out of basically nothing, and you made it one of the most successful branches I now have. I've heard nothing but good things about you and this branch, so I think you've earned this," he replies.

"Well, thank you. It means a lot to me," I tell him gratefully.

"Great! It's settled then. We'll leave on Saturday in about two weeks," he tells me.

"I'll be ready," I say.

"Alright, great! I'll leave so you can get ready for your meeting. I'll see you around, Miss Garner," he says as he turns to leave.

He leaves, and I take a deep breath, fully realizing that I am going to be going to an event I have dreamed of going to for such a long time. The event is going to be full of the best authors and even performers and actors and actresses in the industry.

My mind dwells on the event for the rest of the day while I work. It is just so exciting! At the end of the day, I begin to pack my things up, as usual. Then, Miss Stevens walks in.

"Hello," I say. "I thought you'd already be on your way home."

She smiles. "I wanted to bring little Asher to see you."

She steps out for a moment and then walks back inside with a small baby carrier. She brings it over to my desk and sets it down on a chair in front of my desk. I catch a glimpse of the little guy, and I smile. She unbuckles him and lifts him out of the carrier.

"He's so cute," I say.

She smiles as she rocks him back and forth. "I'm so blessed. Would you like to hold him?"

I nod, and she slowly but carefully hands him over to me after I wipe my hands with a wet wipe to take extra precaution with this precious child. I take the baby in my arms and rock him back and forth.

"What did you say his name was?" I ask her.

She smiles. "Asher."

I smile back and softly say, "He's adorable. He's about three months old, now?"

She nods. "I still can't believe I've had him for three months."

"Time flies, especially when you have someone so sweet in your life," I say.

She smiles. "You know, I thought bringing him into the world would make my life fall apart. I dwelled on the night I had made my mistake, but I realized my mistake has been turned into a miracle. I don't know what would've happened if I had not been blessed with Asher."

Tears form in my eyes. "God is good."

"Indeed. That's something else I need to tell you. I started doing some soul searching while I was pregnant, and I found myself turning to the Bible. I had no idea how much my life would be changed, but I'm happy to say that it has been changed for the better. I accepted Christ just a few days after Asher was born," she tells me.

I turn to her with even more tears in my eyes. "Wow. I'm so happy for you, Amy."

"That's why I named him Asher," she replies.

I wipe my tears away and ask, "What?"

"Asher means happiness in Hebrew. I thought he would bring pain and trouble, but he has brought me so much happiness through the grace of God."

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Hi guys! Thanks so much for reading! I just wanted to add this author's note to let y'all know that there are only three more chapters and an epilogue left in this book! It's crazy how this will be my first officially finished book!

Also, please let me know what you think of the story because I'm really beginning to question this book. It's not really my favorite book at the moment, and I'm doubting it a lot.

Thanks again for reading!