Diana was startled and jolted in place, the sudden movement causing a sharp pain to ripple through her side.
Jacob was still catching his breath from laughing.
_ Oh man... you missed something hilarious. Come sit. Coffee's ready.
Jacob was in comfy gray loungewear with the sleeves of his hoodie rolled up, but Matthew was only wearing soft cotton pants, showing off his well-toned body.
His hair was messy and his eyes still puffy. Diana glanced at the clock on the table.
It was six in the evening.
Had he been asleep all this time?
Almost unconsciously, her gaze returned to him.
He was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, frowning slightly while staring at the floor. His muscles were clearly visible. He looked deep in thought…
A twist stirred low in her stomach from how unbearably attractive the man in front of her was.
For a moment, she completely forgot who he actually was.
_Diana?
You alright?
Jacob's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked at him.
- Hm? Yeah... yeah, I'm fine.
_ You sure? Your face is red. Are you in pain?
- No… no, I'm okay. It's nothing.
Matthew pulled out the chair to her right and sat down, casually draping his left arm around her shoulders, gently pulling her closer.
+ Our friend's just fine, Jacob…
Jacob muttered calmly,
_Don't mess with her.
Matthew widened his eyes innocently.
+ I'm not messing with her! We're friends.
He emphasized the word friends a little too much.
Jacob, eyes still glued to his phone, stood up and mimicked him with a smirk,
_Alright then, "friends"…
Let me answer this, I'll be back.
And he walked out of the kitchen.
Matthew smirked and leaned in, bringing his lips close to her ear to whisper the rest of his thought:
+ "friends who have sex."