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Oliver glanced his way, a s at his lips that Matt didn’t understand He turned away before Matt could comment on it—or at least, Matt told himself that he shouldn’t

“No proble different”

When they arrived at the restaurant, Oliver dropped off the car with the valet and they made their way inside Ralph and Viv were already seated at a table in the upscale restaurant right down the street from the symphony

As soon as Viv saw them, she pushed to her feet and covered her mouth with her hands

“She’s a little excited,” Oliver teased but for Matt, a war in his chest while at the sauilty because of it He had his own parents who loved him with all their hearts But it was different with Oliver’s family They’d always accepted the boys for who they were, always understood theled with

“Matt Daniels, I cannot believe it has been so many years since we’ve seen you If I weren’t such a respectable woman, I’d kick your butt!”

She shter in color than Oliver’s, but he looked a lot more like his mom than his dad, as a beefy man

The second Viv opened her arms, Matt stepped into theed her And he was He hadn’t done right by anyone back home—not Oliver’s parents, Oliver, or even his own faain”

“You bet your ass it won’t!” she replied before letting hio “Oh, hey, Oliver I didn’t see you there,” she teased, and Matt heard his friend laugh

“You’re a real comedienne, Mom”

“Come here, you,” she told her son just before Oliver went in to hug her

Matt said his hellos to Ralph next, followed by Oliver, and then they sat at the table

They asked Matt about his life in New York Viv teased about seeing hiazine, and that he needed to keep his clothes on They laughed Told Matt how proud of him they were before they spoke about their son and all he’d accomplished

“We’re so proud of all four of our boys,” Viv said “You’re all such good s”

Had they, though? What had Matt done except use his face and distance himself from people he loved?