Chapter 42
Scarlett
I come home to change and get the paint off me. It was hard to keep everyone on task, so I’m a little late. In the middle of rushing to my room, my step falters.
There’s an electric fireplace installed on the blank wall. Left on the coffee table is a single red rose in a vase.
No way!
Matt was here and he installed a fireplace for me! Even though he has also been busy at work, he found time to come to my place and set up something I wanted. I have to be careful with what I tell him. He’d probably get me anything I mention and then I’ll owe him more than I can think about.
I’m staring at the new addition to my place, playing with all the buttons and trying all the settings. I’ve forgotten I need to shower and head over to his house. My phone vibrates in my back pocket. I don’t look to see who’s calling.
I answer in a disbelieving tone as I watch the flames change colors. “Hello?”
“Hey, sweetheart, you close?” Matt asks.
Shit! I rush to the bathroom.
“I’m just a bit behind. Be there soon, though. Do you happen to know anything about a fireplace installation?”
“You said you wanted it,” he responds matter-of-factly.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean you have to get it.” I start undressing with him on speaker phone after starting the shower.
“Well, do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s perfect! How did you get in?”
“The ‘secret’ key you keep under the mat. Have you even left the house yet? I hear water.”
“I told you I was behind.”
“Bring enough clothes for the week. I’d rather you come over after work. That way I don’t have to wait long to see you.”
I look up at the mirror to eyes glazed over and a goofy smile. “Okay, I can do that. Except Thursday. Thursday I have a meeting and that’ll run late. I should probably just go to my house.”
“Hmm. I don’t mind if you come over late.”
“By the time I get back it’s going to be almost the next day. Don’t worry, I’ll be back over Friday.”
“Just come over to me after. I don’t care what time you get in.”
“Matt, don’t be ridiculous. We can be apart for one night.”
“We don’t have to be. I’d much rather you be in my bed, no matter the hour. I’ll see you soon, sweetheart. Don’t forget to pack.”
“Matt! Come on. You sleep light. I don’t want to wake you. Let’s hold off for one night.”
“No need.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re controlling?”
“My girlfriend likes to mention it. See you soon.”
“Wait! Matt?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you!”
“Anything for you. Bye, sweetheart.”
“Okay, bye! ”
I pack while trying to get ready, folding everything and putting my beauty products into containers. I’m in and out of the shower in record time and choose a tank top and shorts to wear. I put my hair up in a low ponytail and grab a sweater on the way out.
I’m not ready to tell Matt about my dad. I’m still not ready to tell my dad about Matt. Matt would probably insist on meeting my dad, and I think it’s too early. I want to see if there truly is a long-term commitment here first.
I make my way over to the address Matt gave me.
Once I pull up in the wraparound driveway, my mouth drops open and my eyebrows raise.
I’m not qualified to go into this house in this outfit.
House isn’t even the right word to describe what I’ve just pulled up to.
In front of me stands a three-story modern mansion on a freaking hilltop.
At least I have time to freak-out. Maybe I can go to Paige’s and borrow one of her more modest dresses. Being Miss America seems to be a requirement to get inside. At the very least, I need a business suit and heels.
I’ve run out of time to do anything. Matt starts walking to my door. Great timing to be a gentleman, Matt.
He opens my door and takes my hand to help me out of the car. “How was your drive?”
I manage to respond with, “Lovely. How’d you know I was here?”
I was trying to escape.
“Security cameras notified me, and I was expecting you.”
“Oh, right. Cameras.” Damn them.
“You ready?”
“Sure, I go to mansions all the time. Just another Tuesday for me.”
“It’s Monday.” He has his sideways smirk on, making my knees want to buckle.
We walk up the concrete pathway with his hand on my lower back, guiding me. At some point he grabbed my bag in his other hand.
We pass plants placed strategically to bring color and warmth to the property, like hydrangeas, evergreens, and sculpted hedges framing the structure. There’s also lighting accentuating trees, the pathway, and a modern-looking rectangular fountain.
“Is this what your place in Texas looks like?”
Matt shakes his head. “No, this place is on the modern side. Texas is spacious and homey.”
“This is spacious! How have you been okay staying at my place?”
“Your place is cozy.”
I’m thinking cozy is code for crappy.
He opens the door to the foyer with a modern chandelier, a cement staircase with a glass railing, and wooden floors. In the center of the foyer is a glass table with a huge model sailboat. The space is warm and inviting but very masculine. It reminds me of a bachelor pad.
And there’s the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach again. The expectation I should move to Texas. The gym is keeping my mind occupied. I can’t imagine leaving the state right now.
I’m hoping he’ll change his mind and decide to stay. He already has a house. Surely, he could come back every now and then, at the very least. We could make it work. I can plan when I go to Texas and when he comes to stay here. It could work until I figure out what I’m going to do with the gym.
What did I get myself into?
We walk further to a living room lined with floor-to- ceiling windows.
There’s a circular breakfast nook, and beyond that is a kitchen with wood cabinets and black stone countertops and backsplash.
Then I see the most gorgeous view of the lake, trees, and sunset.
I’m so distracted, I don’t see someone sitting in the nook.
“Hi.” A small voice catches my attention.
My eyes dart to Matt’s sister who is waving with a shy smile.
She must’ve gotten the memo about being Miss America.
Her long, blonde hair is styled, her makeup looks professionally done, and she’s wearing a green dress making her eyes stand out.
She has the same eyes as Matt, which seems to be their only similarity. Although beautiful, she looks drained.
“Hi!” I exclaim. “I’m so sorry! This place is so beautiful I got swept up in the scenery.”
“Bless your heart.” Matt winces next to me, but I don’t know why. “I felt the same way when I showed up. I’m Danielle.” She gets up from the table, gliding over to me, and shakes my hand.
“I’m Scarlett. I’ve heard so much about you!”
“Likewise. That on its own is something. My brother never brings girls around. Or talks about girls. With me at least.”
I’ve turned a bright shade of red. “Yeah, I bet he didn’t show you around town yet. We’ll have to have some girl time!” I wink.
“Yeah, sounds fun.”
“Maybe this weekend?” I fidget my hands. “Matt thinks he’s the planner around here, but I have plans of my own for us this weekend. It’s going to be fun, and I would love if you could join us!”
Matt is looking at me like I have a hundred heads. Payback is coming up, bucko. Get used to it .
I smile at him and stand tall. I’m proud of myself. I’ve been thinking about what to do since San Diego. I made the reservations today, so I’ll just add in my friends and we should be good to go. Hanging with Matt, Danielle, and the girls—perfect.
“I love the look on his face!” Danielle chuckles. “Anyone who can take him out of his comfort zone is my hero! Thank goodness he found you.”
I’m not sure what to say. I give a shy smile.
Matt breaks up the chitter chatter. “I’ll show you the grounds. See you later, Dani.”
I wave to her and then follow Matt through one of the glass doors. The evergreens and hedges have made it back here. There’s a pool, a rectangular firepit area, trees for days, and a pathway I’m guessing leads to the lake. There’s also a hot tub.
I follow Matt down the cement steps that blend into a dirt path.
He keeps hold of my hand the entire way.
Just as I thought, the path leads to the lake.
He stops at a floating dock; I go to the end of it and put my feet in the water, dangling them over.
I can’t believe he bought this house to live here for just a few months.
He comes and sits next to me a few moments later. We stare out over the still water with reflections of trees and clouds. Matt doesn’t say much. These times where it’s silent make me wish I knew what he was thinking.
I break the silence first. “Are you quiet all the time for a reason?”
He seems a little taken aback by my question. “Sometimes not talking is all there is to say.”
“Oh, great. Confucius came to the lake with us.”
He gives me a small laugh and shakes his head from side to side. I see him adjust his watch, even though it didn’t need adjusting.
“Sometimes you can feel so comfortable with someone, you don’t need to talk every second. You can enjoy each other’s company wherever you are.”
I squint my eyes at him. “So, you’re saying you feel comfortable around me?”
He gives me a small smile. “Yes.”
I put my hand over his thigh. “That’s good.”
He pulls me close to him and kisses the top of my head, keeping his arm around my waist.
After a few more minutes, I ask, “I saw you had a firepit. Do you have stuff for s’mores? Because that sounds like an epic way to end the night.”
“I’m pretty sure you didn’t stop growing past twelve-years-old. Since I knew a little kid was coming over, I got s’mores.”
“Hey!” I shout and give him a little push. “It’s better than acting like a grumpy old man.”
“In this scenario, you aren’t referring to me as the grumpy old man, are you? Because you’ll be in so much trouble.”
“Who else would be the grumpy old man around here?” I look around.
He tries to reach for me, but I get up fast and start running towards the house. He follows, grabs me from behind, and then twirls me around.
He puts me down and slaps my ass. I lead the way back to the firepit. Once we reach it, he lights it, then he sits down in one of the Adirondack chairs.
“I’m going to get the s’mores stuff,” I tell him.
“Good luck,” he responds.
I head inside and find Dani still sitting in the nook. “Hey! I’m just looking for s’mores supplies. Want to have one with us?”
She’s staring outside with a long look on her face. “Oh, I don’t want to interrupt your time together.”
“You won’t! Come join us.”
“I’m positive my brother would think I’m cockblocking. I mean, no offense.” She stares back at me, bored.
“None taken. I get it. Here’s the thing, I’m not really planning on having sex outside in the backyard. So, I think you coming out for some s’mores will be alright.” I smile, then turn to look in the cabinets for the supplies.
“He likes you a lot. He doesn’t bring anyone around to meet his family.”
I never know how to respond to such nice comments. What are you supposed to say? I keep my face turned and rack my brain for a reply.
“Don’t break his heart,” she tells me in an ominous tone, and then gets up from her seat and heads upstairs. I watch her walk away.
Oh-kay. That was weird.
My leg bounces as I search for the s’mores supplies. I end up staring at the pantry for twenty minutes until my brain functions again. I spot the ingredients—right in front of my face.
With the s’mores in hand, I head back out to Matt. My shoulders deflated.
“I thought you’d be more excited about s’mores.” Matt traces his jaw with his finger.
“Ran into Danielle. I don’t think she likes me.”
“It’s not you. She’s dealing with her own stuff. She’s not herself right now.”
I nod. I wish Danielle would come hang out with us. I guess after all she’s been through, I need to get to know her and then she’ll feel more comfortable.
“She just needs time, sweetheart.” He puts his hand on my thigh.
I want Danielle and I to at least be cordial around each other. It’s important for me and the people Matt loves and I to get along.
I watch the flames consume the marshmallow I’m roasting. “I know how you feel,” I say to the burning object.
I’ve never cared if someone liked me before, but I know how much Matt’s family means to him. I know how much Matt means to me. Waiting on time to tell me what’ll happen between us is driving me crazy, but I don’t want to risk losing him. I just have to wait.