Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“ H ey, lady!”
Ripped from her thoughts, Scarlet spun toward the voice with a hand on her chest. She grinned as Poppy gave her a side hug and settled onto the barstool Matt had vacated. “Twice in one day? What a treat for me!” They’d grabbed coffee earlier during her morning break.
“Cade said he was meeting the guys here for dinner, and the twins are hanging with some of their high school friends, so I figured I’d come over and harass Four.”
“Why does everyone want to harass me?” the man grumbled as he set a coaster in front of her and topped it with a glass of ice water.
Poppy rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You know you’re gonna miss me when I’m away.”
“You keep telling yourself that, cuz.” Four chuckled at Poppy’s glare. “The usual?”
“Please,” Poppy said, giving up her mock irritation and gesturing to Scarlet’s nearly empty bowl. “And I’ll have what she’s having, plus an order of the beef carpaccio with extra crostini.”
“You got it,” he said, placing Poppy’s cocktail down on a second coaster. “Scarlet, do you like chocolate?”
About to take a sip of water, she raised an eyebrow. “Is that a real question?”
Four grinned. “I take it that’s a yes?”
She tapped the tip of her nose. “Got it on the first try.”
“Uh, what about me?” Poppy asked.
“You’re a given, Pop. You’ll do dessert before dinner every time.”
Scarlet bit back a smile at the look Four gave Poppy. It could only be described as duh .
“Our head chef put together a new dessert, and I’d love to get your opinions on it. It’s an espresso chili torte. Flourless chocolate cake, chili salted caramel, white chocolate espresso mousse, and spiced dark chocolate ganache with a raspberry puree and cacao nibs. You two in?”
Scarlet’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “Again, Four, is that a real question?”
Laughing with his hands held up, he said, “Hey, you never know. I’d hate to presume anything.”
“You can always presume me and chocolate are a go.” She grinned. “Always.”
“Noted. I’ll be right back, ladies.” He tapped the bar top, then disappeared into the kitchen.
“I take it Daisy’s doing the big backyard-movie-night thing?”
Scarlet looked at Poppy in surprise. “How did you know?”
“How do I know anything, Scar?”
Her lips pursed, the corners lifting, and she nodded. “Small town.”
“Yup,” Poppy said, popping the p . “Flora and Katie ordered a bunch of these adorable plastic kiddie bento boxes that look like popcorn bags. The shipment was delayed, but thankfully, it arrived this morning. They wanted to make sure each kiddo had a souvenir from the first annual backyard movie night.”
“Of course they did.” Both women had come in individually while Scarlet had been working at the diner this morning. They’d apologized profusely for what had happened with Daisy, and while she didn’t blame either of them at all—it was a crazy unfortunate accident—she appreciated the sentiment.
Scarlet eyed her watch, then her friend. “I have another hour-plus before I need to leave to pick up Daisy. Want to fill me in on today’s gossip?”
“Oh please,” Poppy said, bumping her shoulder. “The diner is gossip train central. I’m sure you’ve got way more juicy tidbits than I do.”
A burst of laughter had Scarlet glancing over her shoulder. It looked like the guys were having a good time. Well, that’s just stupid.
“What’s stupid?” Poppy asked.
Dammit. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. But in for a penny and all that... She tilted her head toward the table of men. “That much alpha male hotness in one place should be outlawed.”
Cade and Matt, along with Gavin Frazier, Sheriff Quinn O’Conner, and Joe Buchanan, who was the son of Doc Buchanan—a silver fox in his own right. They were a formidable bunch.
Poppy chuckled. “You won’t get any arguments here. They’re a good-looking bunch, all right.”
“I’m surprised all the single ladies on the island aren’t here throwing their panties at them.” She nodded to Four, who was making his way over, plates in hand. “I mean, I’m pretty sure they already do that with the hot bartender-slash-owner, so why not expand their scope?” Poppy mock-gagged—maybe even real-gagged—just as Scarlet had expected. With a laugh, she added, “Hey, just because Four’s your pseudo-brother doesn’t negate the fact that the man is smoking hot.”
“Good god,” Poppy said, making a time-out signal with her hands. “Please, no more talk about Four like that.”
Scarlet sighed when Four placed a plate of decadent chocolate goodness in front of her. “Holy shit. This looks fantastic.”
“Let me know what you think, ladies. Honest opinions.”
Grabbing the small spoon, Scarlet took a bite and groaned. “Ohmygod, this is amazing.” She glanced at Poppy, whose eyes were closed in bliss.
“Add this to the menu,” Poppy said. “Please. And if you’re planning on giving a piece to Cade, you should give it to me instead.” She glanced at Scarlet. “I’ll split it with you.”
“I think that’s a great plan.” Scarlet took another bite and let the savory chocolate, tart raspberry, and slightly bitter cacao nibs melt in her mouth. She sighed again. Freaking heaven.
Four chuckled as he made his way down the bar. “I’m glad it meets your approval, ladies. I’ll be back out with your dinner, Pop.”
While relishing each bite, Scarlet surveyed the restaurant via the mirror behind the bar. The main tables appeared to be full, but the bar was nearly empty. Aside from her and Poppy at the counter and the high-top with the guys, only one other high-top was occupied. Surprising. Then again, she didn’t tend to go out on Tuesday nights. Or any nights, really. She’d just heard that the place was usually packed every day of the week.
Poppy bumped Scarlet’s shoulder with her own, and their gazes caught in the mirror. “Don’t look now, but I’m pretty sure Matt hasn’t taken his eyes off of you since I got here.”
Scarlet couldn’t hold back a snort. “Right.”
“I’m serious, Scar.”
She shook her head. “Oh, trust me. There’s zero interest there.”
“But—”
“For real, Pop. He called me kid earlier. Believe me, I’m nowhere on that man’s radar.” Scarlet kept it light, kept her tone joking and fun. That’s what she knew Poppy—and everyone else—expected from her. Still, her eyes found Matt in the mirror. He was talking with Quinn, and she quickly looked away.
“Well,” Poppy huffed, “I wouldn’t rule him out.”
“Ever the optimist, I see.” She slung an arm around her friend and squeezed. “You’re too sweet, Pop. So aside from the fights, what are you most looking forward to doing over in London? You guys are going to travel around, too, right?”
Scarlet knew it wasn’t exactly the slickest subject change, but when Poppy replied with gusto, she was totally fine with it. She’d never traveled for fun, so she was thrilled to live vicariously through her friend. And after fifteen minutes of hearing about the plans for their trip, she was also okay admitting that she was the tiniest bit envious of her friend. Nearly three weeks in Europe? Uh, yeah. Freaking amazing.
“I’m so excited for you, Pop. But I can’t lie, I’m going to miss you. I mean, who am I gonna go on my morning coffee breaks with?” Scarlet was friendly with lots of people on Hudson Island, but she really only hung out with Poppy. Out of habit, she mostly kept to herself.
“I can think of someone,” Poppy said, pushing her empty bowl away and leaning back on her barstool. “He’s tall, handsome, a little bit rough around the edges...”
Scarlet groaned. “Just because Matt says full sentences to me now doesn’t mean he likes me like that . Again”—she pointed at herself—“ kid .”
Poppy smirked. “Who said anything about Matt? Besides, I’m sure there’s no shortage of men who’d be more than happy to join you for coffee.”
She could only shoot her friend a get-real look.
“What?” Poppy was the picture of innocence. “Besides, when was the last time you went out on a date?”
Scarlet managed to hold back an eye roll. Barely. She loved Poppy, she truly did. But now that the woman was all loved up with her hunk of a man, she was trying to get everyone else equally loved up.
Hard pass.
Scarlet shrugged. “It’s been a while.”
A thoughtful look crossed Poppy’s face. “You know, Scar, I can’t recall you going out with anyone since you moved here. You’ve been here what? A year and a half-ish?”
“Yup.” She pinned her friend with a look . “Been kinda busy, you know?”
Poppy’s mouth went slack, and her cheeks pinked. “Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie. I know... I didn’t mean to imply...”
“I know.” She playfully elbowed her friend. The last thing she wanted was to make Poppy feel bad. “Look, when I’m not working, I’m with Daisy.” She shrugged. “That’s how it should be. Dating is just not something I’m interested in right now.” Or ever.
Even before he’d called her a kid, Scarlet had harbored no interest in going on an actual date with Matt Alvarez. Not that she had anything against the guy. It was a clear case of it’s-not-you-it’s-me.
Her mind flashed to the one and only date she’d ever been on. It had taken place a few months before she’d moved to Hudson Island. She’d been working at a diner in Arizona and one of her regulars, Aaron, had been persistent in asking her out. She had always declined. Until that last time, when her co-worker, who was friends with the guy, had overheard and volunteered to watch Daisy for free. Being put on the spot, she’d relented. Not her finest moment.
As Scarlet had gotten ready, she’d been so damn nervous. She’d never gone on a date. There’d never been any need. In her old life—before Arizona and all the secrecy—she’d been a permanent fixture of the local motorcycle club. Because she’d been there so long, the guys hadn’t wanted to waste their money on taking her out. And yeah, that was a direct quote.
Aaron had picked her up right on time. She’d thought they were going to a restaurant, so when he’d pulled up to a Burger King drive-through and told her they could just eat back at his place and hang out, unease had crawled up her spine. For good reason. The minute she’d walked through his apartment door, he’d pounced.
Scarlet shook her head in an attempt to clear the memory from her brain. It didn’t work. Her stomach soured, and the chocolate torte in her belly threatened to come back up.
She had fought Aaron with everything she’d had and managed to get away. By the time she’d made it home, she’d sported a raging black eye and blisters on her feet. So yeah. She wasn’t rushing to go on any dates. Like ever again.
Slinging an arm around Poppy’s shoulders, she squeezed and said, “I’m happy you’re happy, girl, but you don’t need to play matchmaker. Let the gossip train ladies do that. After all, I’m well-versed at avoiding their meddling.”
“Fine.” Poppy heaved a dramatic sigh that had Scarlet’s lips twitching. “But, Scar, you’re so amazing, and Daisy is so fun. I just want you to be happy, too.”
“I am. I promise.” An image of Daisy from that morning flashed in her mind, and her heart squeezed. “My little girl is everything to me. I just want to focus on her. Give her a good life, you know? Like you did with the twins.” More than anything, she wanted to provide her daughter with the kind of life that she’d wished for growing up. One that had nothing to do with possessions and everything to do with love and security.
“I do, sweetie. You know I do.” Poppy reached out and held her hand. “As someone who’s been in similar shoes, believe me when I say that you’re doing an amazing job with Daisy. But don’t forget... you deserve some happiness and fun, too.”
Scarlet didn’t, but she smiled at her friend, anyway. “Maybe when Daisy’s a little older.”
Poppy blew out another exasperated big-sister sigh. “That wasn’t a flat-out no, so I guess it will do.”
As Scarlet smiled at her friend, the alarm on her phone sounded. “That’s my fifteen-minute warning,” she said, snoozing the alarm. She placed enough cash down to cover her meal and a generous tip, then hopped off the barstool. “I have to go pick up Daisy.”
Poppy stood as well and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so glad we ran into each other tonight, Scar.”
“Me too,” she said, returning the hug. “I’m gonna miss you, but have so much fun!”
Poppy held her at arm’s length. “Now, I’m not playing matchmaker, but make sure you get Daisy out to visit the cats with”—she nodded to the guys’ table—“you know who.” Scarlet arched an eyebrow, and Poppy’s eyes widened in mock innocence. “What? It’s for Daisy’s sake, not yours.”
“Riiight.” Rolling her eyes, she hip-checked her friend. “Text me when you get back.”
Scarlet called goodbye to Four as she made her way out, then waved to Cade at the table of guys. Her breath caught when Matt shot to his feet and rushed her way.
“Hey,” he said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I wanted to apologize again for making things awkward earlier.”
“You’re totally fine,” she said, unable to meet his eyes.
“How about I give you a call this weekend?”
Her heart knocked hard in her chest, and her gaze swung to his. Holy shit, what?
“If you guys are free—um, you and Daisy, that is—we can bring her to visit the cats. I’m sure they’d enjoy her company more than mine.”
Right. Daisy. Cats. Just like Poppy had said.
Her alarm sounded again, and she’d never been more thankful for an interruption. “I have to go get Daisy,” she said, shutting off the alarm and shoving her phone into her back pocket. She looked up at him. “But I’m sure she’d love that. We’re pretty open on the weekend, so feel free to text me some times that work for you.”
She wanted to pat herself on the back. Her reply had been nice and nonchalant. Like I’ve got my shit together.
“Great. I’ll talk to you later, then.” Matt gave her a smile that had her stomach doing stupid things.
“Great, see ya!” She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from cringing. A little bit too enthusiastic there...
She waved at the rest of the table and Poppy, who’d joined their group and was wagging her eyebrows. Ignoring her friend, Scarlet hustled out of Monty’s Tavern.
Oh. My. God. What the hell had she just agreed to?