25. Scarlett
Chapter twenty-five
Scarlett
A whimsical chime sounds as my hand drops to my side.
“Eli, can you wait out here?” I ask, shifting uncomfortably.
Eli’s brows furrow. “Why?”
“Well, for whatever reason, it’s clear that Maddy can’t particularly stand to…be around you.” I give a sheepish smile and shrug. “So, it might be better not to come inside.” I’m still not sure why she’s insisted on giving him the cold shoulder recently, but it’s obvious something happened between them while I wasn’t living here.
Something she hasn’t felt the need to share with me yet.
He grunts in agreement, rolling his eyes. “I’ll wait right here,” he states as the door swings open.
Maddy appears in a soft grey sweatsuit with a beaming smile. That is, until her eyes catch on the man standing to my right, and her smile completely vanishes.
“I didn’t know you were bringing your babysitter with you.” She purses her lips to the side and arches a brow.
“The only one who needs babysitting around here is you,” Eli quips, his jaw tensing.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it just fine for years, creating a wonderful life for myself.” She gestures toward everything around her: the tennis court, the expensive cars, and even the massive boat docked in the lake.
And maybe if someone didn’t know her, they may think that’s the case. That she’s living her best life. But I know her better than most. She doesn’t care about things. She never has. She only ever wanted something when she was feeling down. Instead of being an emotional eater, I always considered her an emotional shopper.
Buying something merely to give herself a dose of dopamine. And when it wore off, she’d do it again and again—like a drug addict seeking their next hit.
Glancing around at all the expensive things surrounding her, I’d say she’s in a downward spiral that she isn’t ready to acknowledge just yet.
And from the barely there dark circles under her eyes, I know in my gut that something isn’t right.
“Wonderful?” Eli lets out a quick, deep laugh. “Now, isn’t that the biggest joke of the year.”
Her hand by her side transforms into a shaking fist. “You goddamn bast—”
“Okay!” I interject, looking between the two of them. “I didn’t come here for you two to butt heads. I came bearing gifts.” I raise the quart of cookie blast ice cream, Maddy’s favorite.
Her smile returns. “In that case, come in. But leave the trash outside.” She tosses her long dark hair over her slender shoulder and strolls away, leaving the door wide open.
I’m sorry , I mouth to Eli.
He shrugs, displaying a playful grin. “Don’t worry about it. She’s more bark than bite. Nothing I can’t handle.”
“I hope you’re right,” I say over my shoulder as I walk inside her house, closing the door behind me.
My eyes travel around the open, bright space as we walk through the foyer, past the grand dining room, and into the kitchen. Everything’s spotless. Exactly where it belongs. But that’s Maddy. She likes everything in order.
Perfect.
She reaches into a cabinet, pulls out two wineglasses, and then retrieves a bottle of wine from the hidden fridge built into her kitchen island. A deep sigh leaves her as she pours the almost clear liquid into each glass. I sit on one of the counter stools as she pushes a glass my way.
“Bowls or spoons?”
I smile. “Spoons.”
She extends the drawer beside her and grabs two perfectly polished silver spoons. I remove the lid from the ice cream, and without missing a beat, we shove our spoons inside, bringing a hefty bite of sugary sweetness to our lips.
“Bottoms up,” she muses before her lips wrap around the spoon. A small moan escapes her as her eyes close. “God, I love ice cream,” she says through a mouthful of it. “You always know the way to my heart.”
I lick my spoon clean, savoring the chocolatey chunks. “I like to think I know my best friend pretty well. Even if we did spend some time apart.”
The corners of her lips slightly curve up. “Time apart only made us love each other more.”
“True.” I dip my spoon in the container. “And speaking of being best friends…”
She arches a brow, waiting for me to continue.
“I’m worried about you.”
Her eyebrows furrow as she bites her bottom lip. “Worried about me?”
“Yes.” I grab a napkin and place my spoon on top of it. “I want to make sure everything is okay.”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” she asks with some defense in her tone.
I shrug, popping a brow. “You tell me.”
She rests her spoon on the counter, her palms flat on the marble surface as she closes her eyes. “Everything will be… I mean.” Her eyes pop open. “Is fine. Everything is fine.” She lets out a deep breath. “I think I’m just stressed with the wedding planning. That’s all.”
I bite my bottom lip, not knowing how to ask the real question on my mind. If I press her too much, she’ll shut down, so I tread carefully as I say, “And Alastor…” I trail off, glancing toward the ice cream. “He’s the one?”
A thick silence fills the space between us.
She swallows hard, and right before she puts her spoon back into the container, I swear I see her eyes mist over.
“He’s the one,” she repeats in a monotone voice.
Lie.
“He’s good to you?”
“The best.”
Lie.
“He doesn’t hurt you?”
“Never.”
Lie.
“You love him?”
She pauses, her lips parting. “Of course.”
The biggest lie of all.
“Okay.” My hand reaches across the counter for hers. “But you know, if you need to talk to me or need…help, I’m here. Right?”
A tight smile shows on her face as she nods. She clears her throat, turning toward the fridge. “You know what we’re missing? Toppings!” She opens the fridge door and digs inside, obviously ready to change the topic.
And as her best friend, I know she’ll talk to me when she’s ready. And right now, she’s not.
“This reminds me of when we were kids,” I say.
She turns toward me with whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate sauce in her arms. “You mean when we used to have sleepovers at my parents’ house and sneak downstairs in the middle of the night to eat ice cream in the butler’s closet?”
We laugh and then freeze, our eyes connecting.
“You don’t think?”
“Should we?”
We speak simultaneously, making us laugh even louder as we race toward the stairs, the quart of ice cream in Maddy’s clutches.
Ten minutes later, matching in satin pajamas, courtesy of Maddy, we both find ourselves lounging on the floor in the butler’s closet, scarfing down ice cream as we laugh and reminisce about childhood memories.
And God, it feels so good.
So normal.
“Remember that one time when Leo and Vin were tubing on the lake, and Vin saw a snake and screamed like a little girl before he fell off his tube and lost his shorts?” Maddy laughs hysterically, falling on her side. “God, that was priceless.”
I wipe the tears falling from the corners of my eyes. “I think Eli was the only one brave enough to remove the snake.”
Maddy’s laughter fades as she sits up, wiping her eyes. “Yeah. I forgot about that.”
She becomes quiet and pours some chocolate sauce into her mouth. Then, reaching for the bottle of sauvignon blanc beside her, she guzzles it down. Clearly, we’ve come to the portion of the evening where wine glasses are unnecessary.
“Can I ask you something?” I lean against the cupboard, crossing my legs in front of me.
She places the bottle beside her and arches a brow, waiting.
“Are you ever going to tell me what happened between you and Eli?”
She rests her head against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. “There’s nothing to tell.” Her eyes glance toward me.
I arch a brow in challenge.
She sighs, rolling her eyes. “I really hate how well you know me.”
I smirk, licking some sauce off my spoon.
She shrugs, giving in. “Maybe someday.”
“Someday,” I repeat, reaching for a cherry.
“And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Are you ever going to plan a proper wedding?” She nudges my foot with hers. “I remember the wedding scrapbook you used to have as a kid. Don’t deny it.”
I feel my cheeks heat as my shoulders drop. “I don’t know. Maybe someday. If Leo wants to, I guess.”
She scoffs. “Are you kidding? He’d do anything for you. If you tell him you want a wedding, he’d probably rent out the Taj Mahal for you.”
I chuckle. “You’re probably right.”
She looks at me, a tender smile on her face. “He really loves you.”
I roll in my bottom lip, looking down. “I know. I mean, I think I know.”
“You think?” she asks incredulously.
“Well, it’s just we haven’t exactly said those words to each other yet.” I drop my spoon on a napkin and, out of habit, twist the wedding band on my finger.
“And what are you waiting for?”
“I just…” I let out a heavy sigh. “We went into this marriage knowing there was an end date. Our contract stated that we were free to divorce when the time came. And even though things have changed between us, and it feels a hell of a lot more than just a contract, I just want to wait to know that he’ll still feel the same way about me even after…”
“After what?” Maddy asks.
“After…” My words trail off as my throat tightens.
“After they find Le Diable,” Maddy whispers in understanding.
I nod. “I feel like Cinderella waiting for the bell to strike midnight, and I want to know that when it does, he’ll still be here. He’ll still feel the same way I feel about him.” I lift one shoulder. “It’s stupid, I know. Especially after everything Leo has done for me, but I don’t want him to feel stuck with me. I want him to have an out.”
Maddy’s hand finds mine and gently squeezes it. “I understand. I do. But I know my brother, and he’s not going anywhere. Especially not after he tore apart the whole world searching for you.” Her eyes glance down at our hands and then land back on me. “He’s only ever loved you, Scar. So, don’t be scared of putting your heart on the line with him. Cause all he’ll do is handle it with care.” She leans back, her eyes lost in thought. “Few people in this world are lucky enough to find their true love.” Her lips curve up. “And that’s exactly what you and Leo are to each other.”
I give a half smile. “I’m sure you and Alastor are that—”
“Don’t,” she rushes out, defeat crossing her eyes. “We both know that’s not true.” She takes another sip from the bottle and then places it between her legs, her finger tracing the label. And my heart breaks for her. I want Maddy to be with someone who makes her happy and treats her like the center of his universe, exactly the way Leo treats me. But as far as I can tell, Alastor is never around. Never by her side at family functions. Never sending her flowers or gifts while he’s away. But maybe that’s how she wants things to be between them.
“So.” She clears her throat, wiping at her eyes. “Do you know what you plan on wearing to the governor’s dinner next week? If you ask me, I’m not looking forward to another stuffy event.”
I shake my head. “I haven’t thought about it.” I reach for my spoon. “I thought the guys didn’t want to go to it? Leo practically ripped up the invite when it came.”
She shrugs. “Beats me. They seem eager to go now, though. Vin called me this morning to tell me I was coming. I told him only if they have crème br?lée.” She chuckles. Vin probably knew she wasn’t joking, either. No one has a sweet tooth like Maddy. “But I also need to work on a Halloween costume for the annual party, so we should go shopping this week.”
“You guys still throw the annual Halloween party?” I ask, remembering how much fun they used to be when I was a kid.
“Oh, yes. It’s almost as grand as our Christmas party.” She grabs a cherry and pops it into her mouth. “It’s just one of the traditions we like to keep up with, especially because my dad always loved to throw a party. He’d find any reason to do it. Said it was the least we could do for the workers living on the property who have been loyal to our family over the years.” I nod in understanding as her eyes appear slightly downcast. “He was a really good guy. Best Dad I could have ever wished for.”
“You always had him wrapped around your finger. You could have asked him for the moon, and he would have figured out a way to get it for you,” I say, making her smile. “He loved you and your brothers so much.”
“Yeah, he did.” She clears her throat, wiping at her eyes. “My mother won’t be able to attend the party this year.” She tips the ice cream container to its side. “She’ll be jetting off to the south of France with her sister, but— Fuck.”
“What?”
She scrapes her spoon against the inside of the now-empty container. “We need more ice cream.”
Our eyes meet as we tumble over laughing, holding our stomachs tightly.
“I think I just peed a little,” Maddy gets out.
The door to the pantry swings open, and two curious sets of eyes go from watching us with concern to amusement in a matter of seconds.
Maddy sits up, wiping her tears, still laughing. “I can explain. It’s not what it looks like.”
Leo arches a brow. “Really?” He looks to Eli, who’s stifling a laugh. “Because it looks like you’re hiding in the pantry like a couple of closet eaters, scooping ice cream out of the container…while on the floor.”
I roll my lips to the side as I look around the small space, nodding. “I see how it might appear like that.”
Leo grins, holding out his hand for me. “Let’s go home, baby. It feels empty when you’re not there.”
My hand clasps his as he pulls me up to his side, placing a kiss on my temple. Feeling brave, thanks to the bottle of wine in my veins, I grasp his shirt and tug him against me, pressing my lips firmly to his.
“You guys are so cute it’s sickening,” Maddy teases.
“Oh, come on, Madeleine,” Eli starts. “I’m sure you and Alastor are just as cute.”
Her eyes narrow in on him, but she remains eerily calm when she says, “Of course we are.”
Lie.