With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4

pulled out a barstool and sat facing Tara and Aubrey.
    “No worse than it’s been for the past month. I really need to hire another executive assistant. Speaking of…how was your first day?” Aubrey appeared nonchalant, but Matt detected a hint of something… Had
    Aubrey’s day been worse than he was letting on?
    “Well? What did you do at school?” Tara asked, jostling Matt out of his concern.
    “I got asked on a date.”
    After dropping the gun behind him onto the couch, Aubrey crossed his arms over his chest and
    scowled.
    A little thrill shot through Matt. Oops, he’d worded that wrong, because it hadn’t been a date date.
    But it was nice to know his mate was possessive of him.
    Tara tossed her gun next to Aubrey’s and got up, coming toward Matt. “You said no, didn’t you? I
    mean you just got here and—” She looked at Aubrey and bit her bottom lip, then looked back at Matt.
    “Maybe you should wait and see if you get any better offers.” Blushing, she glanced back at Aubrey and
    fidgeted in place.
    She was hinting that they should get together? Aubrey obviously hadn’t told her they were mates. She
    also didn’t appear to know that Matt knew Aubrey was gay, but she was definitely matchmaking. Matt
    smiled. “Actually, it was just a friend type of date and I agreed to lunch. I have no intention of dating the guy.”
    Tara hadn’t outted Aubrey thus far, even to Matt, which meant she was trustworthy. Would Aubrey
    tell her? Matt rather liked the idea of her knowing.
    “Matt knows I’m gay,” Aubrey said with a smirk, coming to the same conclusion about her
    motivation. To Matt he added, “Subtle isn’t she?”
    “Oh good.” She beamed at them and rubbed her hands together. “The two of you have quite a bit in
    common. Don’t you think?”
    “She’s going to drive us insane with trying to get us together.” Matt caught Aubrey’s gaze.
    Aubrey stared back. “Probably, but it’s up to you. Given my request for secrecy, I have no right to
    divulge information.”
    At least he wasn’t asking more of Matt than he himself was willing to give, but the reminder stung
    after withholding their relationship from Logan. “I lied to my brother today.” He didn’t like lying to people 50
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    With Abandon
    he cared about, and he wasn’t about to hide his pain from Aubrey. He just hoped Aubrey didn’t think he
    was pressuring him.
    Turning her head, Tara pulled out the stool next to Matt. “About what? You lost me, what’s going on?
    I thought you and your brother were close?” She sounded sincere and looked so crestfallen that Matt’s
    tension eased a bit. She cared about him. His initial bond with her wasn’t a fluke. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but he’d promised Aubrey not to tell. Was Aubrey just trying to appease Matt or did he want Tara to know?
    Aubrey’s attention never wavered from Matt. He didn’t smile, but he winked. “Matt is my mate, Tee.”
    “What? Ohmigod!” Tara laughed. “That’s awesome.” She did an impromptu tap dance in place and
    threw herself at Matt’s side, nearly knocking him off the barstool.
    Taking a deep breath, Matt let it sink in. It didn’t feel as much like a dirty little secret now. It was like getting something off his chest, but had he pressured Aubrey into telling?
    Aubrey must’ve sensed Matt’s reluctance, because he came forward, rested his hands on Matt’s thighs
    and dipped his head to catch Matt’s gaze.
    The tension left Matt’s shoulders and happiness bubbled up inside him. This was going to work. He
    just knew it. In time, Aubrey would be comfortable enough to tell everyone.
    Tara was oblivious, still dancing around at Matt’s side with her arms looped over Matt’s neck. “Oh,
    this rocks. I’ve been telling him for years he’d have a guy for a mate. Especially after Keaton found Chay.”
    “Tara?” Aubrey asked softly, almost hesitantly. “It has to stay a secret. That’s why Matt didn’t tell his brother.”
    Dropping her arms from Matt’s neck, Tara stepped back and frowned. “You cannot keep this a
    secret.” Nervousness and regret were written all over her face. “This is a good thing.” She glanced at
    Aubrey and shrugged before looking back at Matt. “Oooh, I knew the minute I met Matt he’d be perfect.
    Isn’t this a good thing?”
    Aubrey nodded. “But you know better than anyone what my life is like.”
    The despondent look Tara turned on Matt