35

Chloe's cab pulled up to her apartment, and she pulled out several bills to pay the driver. While she was far from toasted, she didn’tt wanted to chance driving home, so she’d left her car at the office and took a cab from the party.

It was late, but not ungodly so, and she was still riding high from the celebration. The cab pulled away and across the street she saw Matthew Willis leaning against his car, watching her. He started forward, and she stood there like a statue, watching him approach.

“Out celebrating?” Matthew asked with a slight smile.

She nodded. “After-work thing. Took a cab back so I didn’t have to drive.”

“You should have called me. I would have come to take you home.”

“I don’t think that would have been necessary. It was perfectly okay to take a cab. And I got home safely, didn't i?”

He regarded her with no expression. Then he shrugged and asked, “Going to invite me in?”

Chloe wanted to say no. She was in no mood to talk to Matthew about anything, but she didn't want