Chapter 47
Matt
If I wasn’t sure about Scarlett before, I’m sure now. Coming over to a house in the middle of the day to take care of someone is different. Not knowing if she was okay or not, freaked me out. With her in my sight I can get my work done.
A snore sounds from down the hall; a first for her. Her nose must be stuffed up. It’s quiet for too long, so I go to her room to check on her.
“Hey,” she says, sitting up and looking around. She notices the single red rose on her nightstand and smiles.
“How you feeling?” I keep my hands in my pockets and lean against the doorframe.
“My headache is gone, thank goodness. Thanks for the pick-me-up.” She points to the flower.
I respond with a nod.
She takes her time waking up and then goes to the restroom. My eyes follow her every move.
She returns from the restroom, and I ask, “You hungry?”
“Yes! Mac and cheese!”
“Wait. You want macaroni and cheese?” I point at her. “I never knew you liked such a gourmet dish.”
She glares at me. “You aren’t funny. Have you been here the entire time?” she asks as we walk into her living area. Then she sees my makeshift desk on her bar top. She turns back, looking confused.
“I couldn’t leave you alone.” My shoulders lift a little. “It sucks being alone when you don’t feel well.”
I neglect to tell her why can’t leave her alone—I’m in love with her. I care for the people I love; it’s just natural. I don’t want her to be sad, sick, or hurting. If she needs something, I want to be the one she turns to. Hence, why I’m here trying to help her.
In true Scarlett fashion, she’s fighting me on it.
“Oh-kay. You do know I’ve been on my own for quite some time now. I promise I’m not a complete idiot.”
“It’s so much better when I’m around, though.” A side of my mouth lifts. “You’re probably feeling better just because you’re in my presence. I have that effect.”
“Right,” she says, rolling her eyes. “It wasn’t the medicine or the nap.”
“Nah. Those things wouldn’t fix anything.”
She shakes her head back and forth, unimpressed.
I head into the kitchen and start making dinner. Why she likes macaroni and cheese so much, I’ll never know. That shit is terrible for you.
I’m making myself a steak, salad, and a potato. I placed a food order while she was sleeping so I’d have some actual food to eat. Maybe I can talk her into some sort of vegetable.
“You want some mashed potatoes?” I turn around to ask while filling a pot of water.
“No, that’s okay, I’m sticking with my mac and cheese. But thank you.”
She’s always so appreciative. One of the reasons I love her .
There’s that love word again.
Fuck, shit got real, quick. I knew my feelings were growing on our trip, and then she took me on a fun day out on the lake.
No one besides my parents have reciprocated love to me that way; everyone I’ve dated just expected things of me.
Scarlett is showing me love through her actions which I appreciate.
It’s how I express my feelings too. Now we’ve spent so much time together these past weeks, I can’t see my life without her.
I’m here because I’m showing her my love.
I hope she gets the message.
I love how she doesn’t seem to want a lot out of life. She’s content and happy. I think Texas will grow on her, as long as I can convince her to move out there with me. A trip first to get her introduced would be best.
“So, I have to go to Texas at the end of the week,” I start.
She frowns. “How long will you be gone?”
She’s sad because she thinks she won’t be seeing me. My heart almost breaks. Who knew it would be so nice to be wanted?
“I’d like you to join me and meet my parents.”
Her head snaps up. “You want me to meet your parents? In Texas?”
I nod. “Yeah. We’ll be back by Monday. You won’t miss any work.”
I see her fidget with her fingers and hair. This can’t be too much to ask of her. She wants to be with me. It’s the next step.
“Okay. What about your work?” she asks.
“I’ve planned to take some time off this weekend anyway. I have most of the renovations finished; I still have appliances and paint, but that’s easy. The inspector will go through everything, but I’m pretty sure I’m up to code.”
I add in noodles to the boiling water, turning away from her. I can tell she’s thinking, but I’m glad she agreed. All part of my plan.
“I’m scared to meet your mom,” she spits out. “She’s going to hate me.”
I turn back to her. “Why would you think that?”
“I’m a vegetarian, I’m from the west coast, I’m not rich.”
“She isn’t going to hate you. She’ll just think you’re weird at first.”
“Oh, great. That’s the exact reaction I’m looking for.” She holds her head in her hands and lets out a big sigh. “I think my headache is back.”
“Scarlett, it’s going to be fine. I’m playing with you.
My mom loves everyone. She’ll love you because—” I stop talking.
I almost told her I love her, but it’s too soon.
I flick my wrist and clear my throat. “She’s going to love you.
I bet my mom will be trying to send out wedding invitations the moment you meet. ”
“But you haven’t proposed.”
“Minor details to her. She’s excited for grandkids.”
“When I have kids, I want to be there for them. My mom left without a second thought. She taught me what not to do. I’d make sure to put them first.”
“I’d make sure you could be there for them as much as you wanted.
” I can’t seem to keep my mouth shut. I flick my wrist and turn back towards the food.
I don’t want to say anything else or show her my smile.
Having kids with Scarlett is just the next step—when she’s ready.
“I mean, if we had kids together. I think you’d be a great mom.
You’d set a good example and I know you’d do anything for them. ”
“Should we be getting families involved? I might hate Texas.”
“No one hates Texas.” I shake my head. “I want you to meet them.” I look her in the eyes.
She doesn’t need to know about my feelings. Yet.
“Only for you,” she responds in a whisper.
My shoulders relax and I get back to cooking. Now I have some planning for this weekend. It’s imperative everything goes smoothly. I can’t lose her.