Chapter 26 #2
Millie gives me a serious look. “Get away from the cameras and enjoy yourselves. Go right now. Pack your bags and take my car. It’s parked down the side street and is ready to go.”
Scarlett’s brows raise. “I have to write today. I’m on a tight deadline.”
“Pack your laptop, your recorder, whatever else you need,” Millie says. “You can write in peace at the beach. Meanwhile, I’ll stay here and entertain these jerks outside.” Her smile turns mischievous. “They’ll wish they’d never shown up here.”
“We were in the middle of breakfast,” I tell her. “We’ll go as soon as we finish eating.”
“Perfect,” she says as Willow rubs against her ankles. Millie picks her up and sits on the couch, flicking on the TV. “Eat. Pack. Leave.”
Laughter escapes me. I move closer to her and place a kiss on the top of her head. “Love you, Millie.”
“Love you, too, sweetie.”
The two of us move back to the kitchen, and we eat our avocado toast, eggs, and bacon in silence.
Eventually, Scarlett clears her throat. “What is our plan?”
I shrug. “No plan. We’re going with the flow.”
After we finish eating, Millie joins us in the kitchen. Before I can wash the dishes, she’s shooing us both away.
“Go pack,” I tell Scarlett, slapping her on the butt as she walks away.
“You too,” she says back to me.
Before I move toward the bedroom, gratitude floods through me. “Thanks again, Millie. Seriously.”
Millie waves me off as she pours herself a mug of coffee. “Anytime, honey. Now, hurry up. You’ve got an escape to make.”
I take the steps to the second floor, two at a time. In the back of my closet is a small duffel, and I toss clothes inside without much thought. T-shirts, jeans, shorts, and a couple of sweatshirts. I pack a phone charger and snatch my wallet off the nightstand.
By the time I make it downstairs, Millie’s settled on the couch with Willow.
“Think you have enough clothes?” she asks, raising an eyebrow as she sees my hastily packed bag.
“Don’t plan on wearing many clothes,” I say, and she shakes her head at me.
“At least pack sunscreen. I refuse to take the blame when you come back lookin’ red as a lobster.”
I’m reminded of the many summers I spent at her beach house and got so sunburned my mom cussed her out. “I’ll be careful. Promise.”
Scarlett enters through the back door. On her shoulders is a full backpack. Her eyes dart around, checking off mental lists. “Laptop, recorder, notebook, chargers…I think I got everything.”
“Guess you don’t plan on wearing many clothes, either?” Millie asks with a smirk.
Her cheeks heat.
“We should get going,” I tell her.
Millie stands, giving us both hugs. “Now, just promise me you’ll both relax.”
“I’ll try my best,” Scarlett says.
I gesture to the back door. “Come on, before anyone spots us.”
We slip out and stop at the back gate. I see Millie’s car parked on the street, and lots of people on the sidewalks, surrounding the place.
I stop in front of Scarlett. “Are you ready?”
“Are there photographers on the other side?”
“Yes.” I reach for her hand and grab it. “Run for it.”
“Don’t let me go,” she whispers.
“I won’t,” I say, opening the gate. I hear someone yell, “There they are.”
We sprint across the grass, and I laugh, holding her hand, pulling her with me. Seconds later, I’m opening the passenger door of Millie’s Mustang for Scarlett. Cameras snap and click nonstop, the flashes flickering in broad daylight as I run to the driver’s seat.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here, shall we?” I start the engine and peel out, leaving tire marks.
Scarlett glances over at me. “Your aunt drives a classic Mustang.”
“Only when she’s in a mood.” I smile, taking her hand, kissing her knuckles as we leave the chaos of the world behind us.
Scarlett’s hand rests on my thigh, her thumb tracing circles absentmindedly.
The familiar stretch of road ahead calms my racing pulse, every mile pulling us farther from the cameras, gossip, and endless speculation.
Scarlett pulls out her laptop and writes as we flee.
Two hours later, the beach house comes into view.
It looks exactly as it did the last time I visited.
It’s a secluded two-story beach home, tucked among gentle dunes and shaded by palms.
Scarlett’s mouth falls open. “This is Millie’s?”
“Yeah,” I say with a chuckle. “My uncle Benji, her husband, was rich as fuck. Left her everything.”
“Oh,” Scarlett says.
I park in the gravel driveway, cutting the engine, and it rumbles into silence.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers.
“Yeah.” I unbuckle my seat belt, but I’m looking at her. “This was their sanctuary. I haven’t been here in a decade. But Millie always knew how to escape the world.”
“I’m appreciative.” Scarlett closes her laptop.
“Let’s go.”
I grab her backpack from the back seat along with my bag.
I open her door, wrapping my arm around her as the fresh ocean air surrounds us.
The code on the lock is the same as it’s always been.
As soon as we walk in, Scarlett gasps at the view.
Blue ocean goes on for miles. “How am I going to get any work done with this view?”
I chuckle, looking at her. “I understand that sentiment.”
Just like Millie used to do, I open the windows in the living room, allowing the breeze to blow in. Sunlight spills across worn wooden floors, and the entire house smells like salt and sunshine. Scarlett walks out onto the deck with her laptop and stares out at the water.
“You okay?” I ask, watching her settle in.
She glances up at me, smirking. “Better now. I think this is exactly what I needed.”
“If you need anything, let me know, okay?”
“I will,” she whispers. I stare out toward the gentle waves. “I like escaping with you.”
“Oh, babe, fucking same.”
For a moment, we’re quiet, just taking it all in. The intensity of the last twenty-four hours is forgotten and replaced by peace. It’s just the two of us.
“I’m sorry you got dragged into this media circus because of me,” I whisper.
She turns her head toward me, eyes steady. “It was only a matter of time before they found you. I’ve written too many easter eggs.”
As our eyes meet, I feel something far deeper. “You really do put yourself into your books.”
She nods. “It’s well-known. It’s why my ex hates me. It was a little too real, and it didn’t paint him in the best light. However, that’s who I am. That’s how I heal. So, I guess this should be a warning for you.”
I lean down and kiss her, the world around us fading. I bend down in front of her, where she has to look into my eyes.
“I’m not afraid of the things you’ll write about me.” I give her a smile.
“Because you’re not a piece of shit?” she asks.
“Bingo. Now, you really, really have to finish this book so I can be selfish with you the rest of the week.” I chuckle, brushing my thumb over her cheek.
Scarlett lifts an eyebrow. “Selfish?”
I nod, our gazes locking. “I crave you, Scarlett.”
Her breath catches, and she bends down to kiss me. “I have to be dreaming.”
“You’re not. Now, get to work. No work, no play.” I waggle my brows at her as she bites on her lip. “Stop doing that.”
“Can’t.” Scarlett smirks.
I force myself to walk away before I lift her into my arms and carry her upstairs to the bedroom that overlooks the ocean.