CHAPTER 156- MAT

The following evening, I found myself pacing the length of Chris's living room, my thoughts bouncing around like an overactive pinball machine. Gideon was sitting in his usual spot on the couch, nursing his glass of whiskey with the kind of calm that only he could muster, while Chris leaned against the kitchen counter, watching me with thinly veiled amusement.

"You're going to wear a hole in his expensive flooring," Chris said, smirking as he took a sip of his coffee.

"I'm thinking," I shot back, pointing a finger at him. "And unlike you two stoics, I need to move when I think."

"Maybe think about sitting down," Gideon muttered, his deep voice laced with mild irritation.

I ignored him, running a hand through my hair. "We've been inching forward with Emily, yeah? Small steps, building trust. But I think it's time for something more."

Chris raised an eyebrow, setting his cup down. "More? Like what?"

"A night," I said, stopping mid-pace to face them. "The four of us. Something casual but special. Not just dinner, not just talking. Something that makes her feel like she's truly a part of this… of us."

Gideon's gaze narrowed slightly, but he didn't immediately shoot me down. That was a good sign.

"What are you thinking?" Chris asked, crossing his arms.

I grinned, the pieces of the plan already falling into place in my head. "A little fun, a little intimacy, but nothing overwhelming. I'll handle the details."

Chris and Gideon exchanged a look-one of those silent conversations they often had-but in the end, they both nodded.

"Fine," Chris said. "But keep it simple. We don't want to scare her off."

"Simple," I promised, already thinking of ways to make the evening unforgettable.

Two days later, I stood in the middle of Chris's penthouse, surveying my handiwork. The lights were dimmed, casting a soft, golden glow over the space. I'd set up a cozy seating area with plush cushions and blankets, and the coffee table was laden with an assortment of snacks-cheese, fruit, chocolate, and a bottle of Emily's favorite scotch.

Gideon had brought over a Bluetooth speaker, and I'd curated a playlist of soft, jazzy tunes that added to the relaxed vibe.

"She's going to love this," I said, clapping my hands together as Chris walked into the room.

"She'd better," he muttered, though I could see the faint smile tugging at his lips.

Gideon arrived shortly after, his quiet presence somehow grounding as we made the final adjustments.

At exactly seven, the elevator dinged, and my heart skipped a beat.

Chris opened the door, greeting Emily with a warm smile as she stepped inside. She looked beautiful, as always-her hair falling in soft waves around her face, her cheeks pink from the cold.

"What's all this?" she asked, her eyes widening as she took in the setup.

"A surprise," I said, stepping forward with a grin. "For you."

She turned to me, a mix of curiosity and warmth in her gaze. "Matt…"

"No objections," I interrupted, gently taking her coat and scarf. "Tonight's about relaxing and enjoying yourself. Just let us take care of everything."

The evening started with easy conversation and laughter, the kind of lighthearted banter that always seemed to come naturally when the four of us were together. Emily looked more relaxed than I'd seen her in weeks, her smile coming more easily as the night went on.

At one point, I caught her watching Gideon as he explained something in his low, gravelly voice. There was a softness in her eyes, an unspoken connection that made my chest ache in the best way.

"Everything okay?" I asked, leaning in so only she could hear.

She nodded, her gaze meeting mine. "Better than okay," she said softly.

As the evening wound down, I suggested a game-nothing too complicated, just a way to keep the energy light and fun. We ended up playing a version of "truth or dare," though it quickly became clear that none of us were particularly interested in dares.

"Alright, Emily," I said, turning to her with a mischievous grin. "Truth. What's one thing you've always wanted to do but never had the chance to?"

She hesitated, biting her lip as she considered the question. "Honestly?" she said after a moment. "I've always wanted to learn to dance."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "You've never danced before?"

"Not really," she admitted, her cheeks turning pink.

"Well," I said, standing and offering her my hand. "Let's change that."

Her eyes widened, but she took my hand, letting me pull her to her feet. I nodded to Gideon, who queued up a slow, instrumental track on the speaker.

"Just follow my lead," I said, placing one hand on her waist and taking her hand in mine.

She laughed nervously but allowed me to guide her. At first, her movements were hesitant, her steps awkward, but as the music played on, she began to relax.

"You're a natural," I said, grinning down at her.

"Liar," she shot back, though she was smiling.

As the song came to an end, I twirled her once before pulling her close, our bodies brushing. She looked up at me, her eyes bright with laughter and something else-something that made my heart stutter.

"You're full of surprises, Matt," she said softly.

"And I'm just getting started," I replied, my voice low.

The moment lingered, heavy with unspoken possibilities, before Chris cleared his throat from behind us.

"Alright, Romeo," he said, his tone amused. "Let's not monopolize her time."

Emily laughed, stepping back but not before giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

By the time the night ended, Emily looked thoroughly at ease, her smile lingering as she said her goodnites.

As the elevator doors closed behind her, Chris turned to me, his expression somewhere between exasperated and impressed.

"I'll give you this, Matt," he said. "You know how to make an impression."

"That's the idea," I replied with a wink, already planning the next way to make her smile.