5. Scarlet
FIVE
SCARLET
“You’re sure about this, right?” I squeak the words out around the ball of apprehension lodged in my throat.
Getting our nails done today was her idea, but I can’t help but worry we’re returning to scene of the crime—well, the scene before it, anyway—too quickly. I even suggested trying a new salon, but she insisted we come here… something about facing her fears head on.
“Yes, Scarlet,” Nora says, her tone the perfect blend of exasperated and understanding. “I’m sure.”
“Okay.” I drum my nails against my thighs. “Okay. Great. If you’re, like, super sure…”
“Scarlet, babe.” Nora reaches across the center console and places her hand over mine.
“You have to stop. I refuse to let…” She stops and sucks in a deep breath before slowly blowing it out.
“…Rand’s actions control me. Despite all of the horrible things he did to me, I have a beautiful life, a perfect son, and in a few months, I’ll be walking down the aisle to the man of my dreams. So, if I can move forward, you can, too. ”
I run a hand through my hair and slump back against my seat.
“I know you’re right. Truly, I do. But it’s hard to feel the same way when—” I cut myself off before I can remind her that her husband-to-be and his best friend both hold me responsible for what happened to her.
“Okay, no, you’re right.” I shut off my car, and we exit simultaneously, heading straight for the salon.
“First up, mani-pedis. Then lunch. And after that—”
“After that I was thinking we could look for shoes.” Nora has this adorably hopeful look on her face, as if I’d ever turn down shopping. “I need something pretty but also practical so I don’t trip down the aisle.”
“Consider it done.”
She smiles gratefully as she pulls the door open, holding it for me.
“So,” I turn to Nora once we’re settled into our pedicure chairs. “What sounds good for lunch?”
“Not barbecue,” she mutters, causing me to gasp.
“Oh. My. God. You did not just say that.” It’s been more than a year but every time I think about getting The Smoke Shack, memories of returning to my car to find Nora’s door ajar and her nowhere in sight, I want to puke. “Have you been back?”
“Nope. Probably never will, if I’m being honest.”
I want to reach out and grab her hand, to offer her comfort like she did me, but I know she doesn’t like being touched unexpectedly, so I stifle the urge. “Me neither.”
She hums contemplatively, letting the subject drop as she reclines back into her seat. “Any ideas?”
Truth be told, I couldn’t care less what we eat. She could tell me she’s on a raw kale diet, and I’d slap on a bib and say yum, sounds great.
After everything went to hell in a handbasket thanks to Atlas’s POS dad on our first—and only, until now—girls’ day, I figured Atlas would chain her to his side before letting her out of his sight, much less with me.
In all honesty, I wouldn't blame her for never wanting to go anywhere with me again. Nora might not blame me like Atlas and Ellis, but deep down, I know if I hadn’t left her alone—no, Scarlet, stop it. Today is a good day. Focus on the now.
Plus, I should have known Nora would be down. She’s stronger than her trauma and is determined not to let it—or her overbearing beast of a fiancé—hold her back.
“I’m just happy you’re here,” I tell her, honestly. “Happy we’re friends. That you asked me to be your maid of honor.”
“Oh my god,” Nora laughs. “When did you turn into such a sap?”
“You hush,” I warn, even though we both know I’m all talk. “Seriously though, lunch.”
I am firmly leaving the ball in her court, because the last thing I want to do is push her too far out of her comfort zone.
Today is supposed to be happy and stress-free. God knows if it isn’t, Atlas might actually kill me.
“You know…” she murmurs, fidgeting with the bottle of glittery champagne nail polish. “A sandwich sounds really good.”
“I know just the place.” I grab my phone and look up Maryanne’s, my favorite deli. “I just sent you their website.”
“Thank you.” She taps on her screen as she settles back into the chair and hits the massage button while our nail techs get to work. “You always know the best places.”
“I’ve gotta be good for something,” I say, injecting false cheer into my voice.
“Don’t talk about my friend like that,” Nora warns, and I smile.
Atlas may have been all wrong for me, but he’s perfect for her. The way he steadily built her confidence is truly a thing of beauty. I can only hope to find a love half as great for myself one day.
“Speaking of friends, when do I get to meet your school friends?”
She tilts her head to the side as she studies me. “Y-you want to meet them?”
“Duh!” I roll my eyes at her cluelessness. “I promise to be on my best behavior and to make myself as likeable as—”
“You are likeable, Scar. Jesus.”
Shame lights me up from the inside out. “Listen, I get it. I’m a… small-doses friend. I can be a lot and sometimes people… don’t like that.”
She screws her eyes closed and sucks in a calming breath, holding it before blowing it out. “Eff those people. You are a delight and shouldn’t ever shrink yourself for other people.”
“Do you really mean that?” I ask, furiously blinking back the tears burning the backs of my eyes. I refuse to cry in a fucking nail salon, full of strangers. Talk about pathetic.
“Yes, oh my god, of course I do. Let’s plan a girls’ night out soon.”
“Like a… bachelorette party?” I ask, shimmying my shoulders, only to get a death stare from my nail tech. “Sorry,” I whisper, holding statue still.
“Hold on,” Nora laughs. “I don’t know about all that.”
“Chill, I’m not going to take you to a strip club. I’ll even guarantee no penis paraphernalia if you agree.”
She hesitates, but only for a moment. “Fine. We can figure out a date at family dinner.”
I beam at her and then frown. Family dinner. I shudder at the thought. But, Nora’s an optimist, and she’s determined for us to all be a big, happy family. Atlas is so wrapped around her finger, he’d agree to anything. Hell, Ellis, too.
Even me…
What a lovely realization.
“Absolutely not,” Nora says emphatically when I hold up a stunning pair of satin heels. “I would literally die if I tried to walk in those. And dying on my wedding day is not on my to-do list.”
“But we could dye them to match—”
“Unless you can saw off the heel, it’s a no.” She runs her fingers along a pair of velvet flats. “You should try them though.”
“I just might.” I turn to the sales associate hovering near us. “Do you have these in a seven?”
“And these in a six-and-a-half?” Nora says, sheepishly, holding the shoe out toward her.
“Let me check,” she says, beelining for the backroom.
“So,” I say, dragging out the word, as I plop down onto one of the many try-on benches. “I sort of have something to tell you.”
She whips her gaze to mine before settling down next to me. “Spill.”
I wring my hands together, wondering just how much I should divulge. I hate the idea of keeping things from her, but the thought of worrying her is fifty times worse. “I've been getting… notes.”
“What kind of notes?” She tilts her head to the side, her lips turning down ever so slightly.
“I don't know if I would call them love notes, but they’re from a guy. Well, I assume it’s a guy, anyway.”
She raises her brows, waiting for me to continue.
“You ladies are in luck,” the sales associate says before I can reply. “Let me know if you have any questions or need a different size.”
“Thank you so much,” I say, taking both boxes from her, passing Nora’s to her.
“You’re not off the hook,” she mutters as she removes the lid. “Go on.”
“He calls himself my sweetheart and has left me a handful of notes so far. And he paid for my lunch with my mom the other day.” I slide off sandals before leaning down to slide on the heels. They fit like a glove—or, well, a shoe. Whatever.
“He also left, um, roses on my windshield.” I stand and look at my feet in the mirror, doing a little spin. “These look nice, right?”
“They do, and that’s… creepy.”
“It was sweet at first, but yeah, it’s getting a little creepy.”
“Please be careful,” she implores.
“I will be,” I assure her, forcing out a laugh I most definitely don’t feel. “Plus, I’m sure whoever’s behind this is harmless. Some shy little sap too nervous to talk to me.”
“Maybe,” Nora agrees, but she doesn’t look too convinced.
“Are you going to try your shoes on or sit here and worry about me having a secret admirer?”
She hesitates, blows out a frustrated breath, and kicks her shoes off. “Oh, these are comfy.”
“Stand up, walk in them.”
“Sure thing, mom.” She rolls her eyes.
“Now twirl.”
She shoots me an incredulous look. “Babe, you will have to dance in them, so twirl.”
“Fine. God, you’re bossy,” she says, spinning stiffly in a circle.
“Still comfy?”
“Yes, and I love the color.”
“It’s like they were made for you.” I nudge her with shoulder. “Hard to believe you’re tying the knot so soon.”
“I’m really excited. But also kind of nervous.”
“Nervous?” I place the heels back in the box and slip on my sandals. “About what? Atlas worships the ground you walk on.”
“I know, but leaving James—”
“That’s why we’re doing a trial run this weekend,” I remind her. “Y’all will get a practice night out, and I’ll get to prove I’m the best babysitter ever. Do you know what Atlas has planned?”
“No!” She stomps her foot. “He’s keeping it totally under wraps.”
“Well, I can assure you, no matter what y’all do, James will be in good hands with me.”
“I know he is.” She lays her hand on mine. “There’s no one I’d trust more.”
Aside from Ellis, I think bitterly. It’s honestly obscene how good he is with the little guy. And don’t even get me started on the way his arms look when he holds him. Honestly, the man’s damn near perfect—until he talks.
“I know you said we didn’t need to pay you, but—”
“Nope.” I cut her off. “It’s my pleasure to watch him. And let’s be real, it’s the least I can do.”
“Don't start,” she says softly, well aware of exactly what I’m referring to.
I’m not sure how someone who’s been through so much can be so understanding… so forgiving of me, but Nora is, and I’m damn sure thankful for it.
“Too late, already started.” I lean down and snatch her shoe box. “And I’m treating you to these since you paid for my nails.”
“Scarlet!” she screeches my name, her cheeks instantly going beet red. “Give those back right now.”
“I will,” I promise. “Right after I pay.”
“Oh my god.” She huffs out a breath. “How did I end up with so many bossy people in my life?”
I grin at her as I tap my card to the reader. “Luck.”
She smiles softly at me and shakes her head. “Yeah, you’re right. Some days, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”
My heart pinches in my chest because, while I’m over the moon for Nora, a small part of me can’t help but wonder when it’ll be my turn.