4. Scarlett
Irested my head against the car seat and closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. The fact that I was meant to be knocking on Stef’s door ten minutes ago, and I’d told Mom that twice, didn’t stop her. She just droned on and on and on until I had a throbbing headache. I pulled my phone away from my ear. She’d been going for thirty minutes, barely drawing a breath. It was all about how Tyler and Misty had taken Mom and Dad out to the movies. From the way Mom was talking, you’d think they’d gone to the Greek Islands or some shit.
“It was just such a wonderful evening.” The gushing just wouldn’t stop. “Misty is an absolute delight. And Tyler seems so happy with her, doesn’t he? I wouldn’t be surprised if we get some good news soon.”
Well, if that wasn’t putting the cart before the horse, I didn’t know what was. But I wasn’t going to mention that. “Wouldn’t that be great?”
“Yes! I would love to plan a wedding and you know I can’t wait to be a grandma. Tyler will be such a wonderful dad, too.”
Would he, though? I’d roll my eyes, but that would just make my headache worse.
“You know, Scarlett, the next time we all go out, you really should join us,” Mom continued. “It would be lovely if you brought…what’s his name?”
“Who?”
“That boy you were dating. Works for the FBI.”
“Daniel.”
“Yes, Daniel. We’d all love to meet him. I’m sure he and Misty would have a lot to talk about, what with them both working for the government.”
I did actually roll my eyes at that, as though working for the FBI was in any way similar to being an office flunky for a municipal council member.
My parents had been mildly impressed when I’d first mentioned I was dating a law enforcement officer. Now I had to tell her the bad news. “Actually, Mom...” I started, then paused. I knew the reaction I was going to get, and I just didn’t have the energy for any of it. Oh well, better to just rip the band aid off. “Daniel and I broke up.”
The words hung on the line for a moment before Mom made a tsking sound, then said, “I worry about you, Scarlett. You’re past thirty. You really need to start thinking about your future, about settling down. I mean, look at Tyler. Not thirty yet and he has all his ducks lined up.”
“Yeah, well, them’s the breaks, Mom. We can’t all be as perfect as Tyler.” Fuck. I did not mean for that to come out, edged with the bitterness that I always tried to hide.
“Scarlett! There’s no need to be like that! I understand it’s hard for you?—”
No, you don’t. You never have.
“—and I only say this because I do love you. Your father and I just want what’s best for you and honestly, darling, you need to get your life together. You’ve worked hard enough on your career. It’s high time you found yourself a good man and settled down. Started a family.”
Blech.
“How about I talk to Tyler for you? See if he knows anyone that he could set you up with. Obviously, there’s no guarantee that they would be in Misty’s class, but at your age…:
“No! Mom, I have to go. I’ve got a meeting.”
“On a Saturday?”
“Yeah. On a Saturday.”
“Oh, alright then. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Ending the call, I dropped my phone in my lap and covered my eyes. The tears welled up and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to hold them back. But fuck it, I was all alone. I could afford to indulge myself in a few bitter tears.
So, I let them flow for a few moments, a stray sob escaping my lips. Mom’s words cut deep, as they always did. The constant pressure to “settle down” and find a man felt suffocating at times. Couldn’t she see that I was perfectly happy being single and focusing on my career? That I didn’t need a husband or kids to feel fulfilled?
With a heavy sigh, I wiped the tears from my cheeks and glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror. God, I looked like hell. My eyes were red and puffy, and my mascara had smeared all over my cheeks. Not a great look. Pulling a tissue from my bag, I dabbed at my cheeks, but it was no good. I’d have to wash my face inside, I guess.
I grabbed my bag and the apple pie I’d made for the family dinner. I’d brought it home with me and shoved it in the freezer, knowing I wouldn’t eat it on my own. Then, every time I opened the fucking freezer, there it was. Taunting me. Yeah, maybe that meant I was going a bit crazy, but it just annoyed the fuck out of me every time. I needed to get rid of it, but couldn’t quite bring myself to throw it in the bin. Figuring Stef would probably like it, I’d boxed it up and here we were.
I gripped the pie tin tightly as I got out of the car, the aluminum edge digging into my palm. Taking a deep breath, I started up the path towards Stef and Grayson’s place, trying to shake off the remnants of my phone call with Mom.
Halfway there, the front door opened, and Rhett stepped out onto the veranda. Looking perfect. Immaculate. Like he’d just stepped out of a catalogue. It made me clench my teeth with irritation. He caught sight of me and stopped in surprise.
Shit. Fuck. I had another go at wiping the mascara smudges from under my eyes, but it was too late. He opened his mouth to speak. Definitely about to make some smart ass remark I knew I couldn’t deal with right now. I had to cut him off. Because I couldn’t think of anything else to say, I blurted out, “Do you like apple pie?”
He frowned in confusion, which somehow made him look a bit cute. So fucking annoying. “Apple pie?”
“Yeah.” I wiggled the box in my hands, just for emphasis.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“I’m fine. Nothing wrong with me at all. So, you like apple pie. Yes, or no?”
“Um, sure.”
“Here you go then.” I shoved it into his hands and before he could ask me anymore questions, brushed past him into the house.
Stef came down the hallway in leggings, a baggy t-shirt that I suspect belonged to her fiancé, and her blue hair tied up in a loose bun. “Holy fuck, you look like shit. Go wash up while I get Grayson to make us coffee. Then you’re going to tell me why you look like someone just kicked your favorite puppy.”
I felt better already.
An hour later and I’d vented all my mom bullshit to Stef and felt a hundred times better. Until my phone vibrated with a text.
I pulled it out with a sigh, expecting another passive-aggressive comment from my mother. But it was from an unsaved number. Frowning, I opened it.
There was a photo of my apple pie, already half eaten.
Unknown Number: Not that I’m complaining about receiving random baked goods, but care to explain the impromptu pie delivery? I’m not open to bribes, in case you were wondering.
I rolled my eyes, picturing the self-satisfied smirk on his stupidly handsome face. Part of me wanted to ignore him completely. The last thing I needed was someone else getting under my skin today. But the petty side of me couldn’t resist taking the bait.
Me: Thought you could use some sugar in your life. You seemed pretty sour when I arrived.
There, that ought to wipe that smirk right off. I waited for his witty retort, tapping my foot impatiently.
I could feel Stef’s eyes on me. “Who’re you texting?” she asked innocently. Too innocently.
“No one important,” I muttered, glancing back at my phone’s screen.
A few moments later, a new message popped up.
Unknown Number: So, what had your panties in a twist? Some rodents on the brink of extinction that you can’t save?
I shouldn’t. I reeeeally shouldn’t. Fuck it.
Me: My panties are none of your business.
Unknown Number: I’d be more than happy to make them my business.
Deeply unprofessional. Stupid, really. Still, there was that little frisson of heat curling in my belly. I’m sure he played these sorts of games all the time, so it was dumb to get carried away by it.
Stef raised an inquisitive eyebrow at me. “Mind telling me what’s got you all hot under the collar?”
“What? No one! Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Hmm.”
Unknown Number: Just picturing you with your makeup smeared all over your face…for a very different reason.
Nope. Too much. I was out. Dropping my phone back in my bag, I smiled at Stef, willing the blush to fade away. “Feel like taking a walk along the river?”
She opened her mouth to say something, to push me maybe, but then she seemed to think better of it. “Sure.”