Good girl

"What – what did you say?" Her lower lips shuddering, the corner of her eyes turned watery as it gleamed with hope and brief excitement.

Matthew Xi, who was also surprised by the endearment that slipped out from his mouth, studied her front. The longing, sliver of hope and expectations caused him to purse his lips into a thin line.

"I said, who is Love? You were calling her/him in your sleep." As obvious as it could be, Matthew Xi lied through the skin of his teeth.

He knew that Zoey was calling "Darling" last night and not "love". However, since she would surely not know he was lying, he used this excuse as his escape. Still, what was about this reaction she gave him?

Now, it only made him feel heartless for getting her hopes up before taking it away. Either way, it was his stupid mouth's fault for moving on its own.