Chapter 39
Scarlett
I hate to admit it, but I love these potato pancakes. I look over at Matt’s smug look like he just delivered a baby. I wish he was wrong. I wish he was so wrong I could tell him to suck on those nuts. But since the pancakes disappeared from my plate in two seconds, I think he can tell. Damn.
Going to breakfast at the crack of dawn is one thing I’d never do, but here I am, sitting with Matt. He makes me give up control with most things. I can just be with him. I don’t have to worry about where to go, what to bring, or making a reservation. He thinks of it all. I like the feeling. A lot.
The check comes and I swipe at it so I can pay for something on this trip.
Of course, Mr. Fast Fingers who observes everything takes it from me.
I blame not having enough coffee and being ripped from my cozy bed this morning.
I’m not on my game. It’s disappointing. Maybe I can get it together after a nap today.
I doubt a nap is on the “itinerary” of my companion. My forehead falls to the table and I try to close my eyes, just for a moment.
I’m still uncertain about what last night meant. No sex, but he showed how affectionate he could be. What does that mean?
“Come on, sweetheart! We have plans.”
He must be from another planet. I could pass out at this table, but an alien is bugging me.
“I just need a minute.” I keep my head down. “Or sixty.”
He takes my hand and drags me up to exit the restaurant. We continue walking hand in hand. Where? No idea.
He leads me back to the car and we’re on our way again. Once he parks I get out of the car, greeted by a heavy breeze. We’re at a national park with a full view of the ocean. The smell of salt fills my nostrils. He pulls me over to a lighthouse, set right on the cliff.
“Lighthouses are cool.” I perk up.
“I got access to the very top. No one else can go up there.”
I take his hand and make him stop walking. “Why do you do these things? I’d be happy just hanging out with you at the beach or in the living room. You don’t have to put up a huge front. You’re more than shiny things.”
“I’m not putting u—”
“Renting out restaurants, theaters, lighthouses. This isn’t normal dating. You don’t have to do this.”
“I like to stay busy.”
“I know. Someone with a captain, real estate, and pilot license doesn’t scream ‘I’m chill.’ I’m just letting you know you can just be who you are with me.”
He nods. “I’ll relax.”
I squint my eyes at him. “You’ll relax?”
“I’ll try to relax.”
“Okay,” I huff. “Thank you. Lead the way.”
We climb up some stairs all the way to the top of the lighthouse, gusts of wind hitting us. As I’m looking out at the coastline, Matt comes up behind me and starts kissing my neck with his arms wrapped around my waist .
“Is my girl enjoying the view?”
His girl? My lips tilt up in a smile as my stomach feels like it dropped to the bottom floor. I grab for the necklace he surprised me with; I haven’t taken it off since he gave it to me.
“I mean, it’s satisfactory,” I tease.
“Oh, you need a change of scenery already?” He turns me so fast I don’t have time to react, moving my body so we’re chest to chest and pushes me against the gated ledge.
He has a hold of the back of my head and kisses me.
I’m surprised it’s so gentle after that move, but it’s sensual with a bit of pressure.
Goodbye body, it’s been nice while it lasted. The take-charge Matt is nice, but this Matt is on another level. It’s a connection between our hearts now, not just a physical one.
Then his phone starts vibrating. A call from Grant. He looks at it and then ignores the call, leaning into our kiss again. We must stay there for twenty minutes, before he pulls away, keeping his forehead locked with mine.
“Come on, let’s go enjoy somewhere else for a while.”
“We could keep doing what we’re doing. No one can come up here.”
“There’s people below. They could see.”
“Ugh.” I’m riled up. He teased me with his addictive lips.
He nudges me to make our descent down the steep stairs and locks the gate to the top behind him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you soon.” He gives me a wicked grin.
I reluctantly give in. “Fine.”
Then off we go, hand in hand to another part of the park.
~
After a hike, we’ve returned to the house. Matt is barbequing on the rooftop. I go to sit on his lap.
“I’ve been wondering,” I start.
“’Bout what?”
“Is your plan to move back to Texas as soon as possible?”
“Yes. After the project is done. There’s no reason for me to stay. I’d have to find another deal. Washington isn’t as easy as Texas, so Grant needs to be happy about the numbers. It’ll probably take me a while to convince him it’s a good idea.”
I fidget with my fingers. “I don’t know how soon I’d be able to leave Lakebrook. We haven’t opened the gym yet.” I look at his face. It tells me nothing. “Not that you’re thinking I’d move with you or anything. I’m just saying...” I trail off, not knowing how to recover without sounding clingy.
“I’d like it if you would keep your yourself open to the idea of moving to Texas. I have everything set up there.”
I squish my eyebrows together. “Set up for what?”
“For my business and for personal things.”
“What does ‘personal things’ mean?”
“A family. There’s a lot of space at my house in Texas.”
“You said you bought a house in Washington. Wouldn’t it be an option to stay?”
“Not really. I want to have a family in Texas. It’s a good spot. Plus, I have my business and family there. There’s not much to keep me in Washington.”
“What if I stay in Washington?”
He stays quiet. His wrist with the watch twitches and I can see his jaw tense. “Hadn’t thought ’bout it.”
“Hypothetically, if we decided to stay together, what’s your plan?”
“It’s a little soon to say what’ll happen, but I’d hope you’d consider moving to Texas with me.”
“Is that the end of the discussion?” I squint my eyes at him, searching for an answer. “Move to Texas or break up?”
“Listen, this is a deep conversation. You’ve never been to Texas, have you?”
I look away from him. “No.”
“How could you imagine moving to a place you’ve never been? Let’s take a step back and look at the situation rationally. Before you start making plans, maybe you need to see it first.”
“I still have the gym. I have friends and family in Washington I wouldn’t want to leave.”
“Scarlett, it’s not a decision to make tonight. There’s no telling what’s going to happen. Let’s enjoy the rest of the vacation, okay?”
I bite my tongue. I’m not sure what I’m thinking, talking about the future with a man I’ve been with for a whole five minutes. That won’t make him flee or anything.
But I like having a plan. I don’t know what the plans are once Matt leaves. It scares me.
As we sit and then eat later, all I can think about is how much I’d miss Lakebrook if I moved to be with Matt. My stomach twists thinking I might miss Matt more.