Chapter 13
Scarlett
The next morning my hip is feeling much better after a long, hot bath and some ice.
Coffee is calling, so I head to the kitchen. I look at my phone, to see what I have planned for today as it brews.
Take a Morning Hike
Work on Gym Opening—Make Outline
Clean Home
Take Another Bath
I wish time with Matt could be on the schedule, but it’s just another day of tasks.
A sip of coffee on the couch in a warm mug helps fight off the brisk chill this morning.
I pull a blanket over me too while I gaze at the empty space on the wall between two windows, opposite the couch.
I should get a fireplace, even if it’s an electric one.
Waking up with some coffee while the fireplace is glowing and warming up my place sounds nice.
After taking my time waking up, I get dressed, choosing some white tennis shoes to complete my outfit.
Shoes will have to do; I don’t want heavy boots on in case they irritate my hip.
I tie my hair back, grab a water canteen, and apply some bug spray.
I grab a banana on my way out the door to give me some energy for the trails .
Fifteen minutes later, I arrive in public parking for a hike. There’s a familiar-looking car I’ve been seeing at the gym. It’s a little flashy, which is why it caught my eye. There’s a shield on the front, but I’ve never paid attention to the brand.
Hmmm.
I get out of the car and start trekking. I choose the route that’ll take me to a view of the lake. As I’m walking, steps crunch on the dirt and gravel behind me. My shoulders tense, eyes go wide, and my breathing stops. I reach for the pepper spray on my keys. I can use the keys as a weapon too!
The familiar deep voice pulses through me. “Hey, Miss Scarlett! Funny running into you here.”
I turn around to Matthew Reding.
What’s he doing here?
His gray T-shirt hugs his chest and biceps. His sunglasses shroud his eyes, so I can’t tell if he’s actually happy to see me. The fingers hanging onto the straps of his backpack make him look like an experienced hiker.
“Hello, Mr. Reding,” I say, fighting a smile. “At least we didn’t hit each other this time.”
I’m having a hard time believing he’s in front of me right now. I’ve gotten used to seeing him at the gym. Yeah, that’s why I’m at a loss for words. It’s not because of how good he looks in those jeans or how my stomach flips at the sight of his crooked smile.
I wasn’t supposed to see him today. I was supposed to clear my head of him. I go to walk off and carry on with my hike, but he continues to walk behind me.
“Call me Matt. I didn’t get a call last night.”
“I was under the impression you would think it’s a date. Thought I’d play it safe. To be fair, I never told you I would call, either. You just assumed.” I quicken my steps.
“Right.” He sounds disappointed while following me. “Looks like we bumped into each other anyway. Mind if I join you? You probably shouldn’t be walking alone.”
The insinuation I’m a damsel in distress is ridiculous. I stop and turn to him. “Do you walk alone?”
He seems surprised. “Yes.”
“Why would you walk alone and not me? Because I’m a woman? I can’t possibly take care of myself?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“I didn’t mean just you. It’s unsafe for anyone to walk alone. Groups are better.”
“Uh-huh.” I stare at him and cross my arms over my chest.
“Anyway, I’d love to join you. I brought provisions.”
“Provisions for who?” I furrow my brow.
He doesn’t respond and then starts walking ahead of me like he knows all about this trail.
What’s going on here?
“Your leg seems better today,” he observes, as I catch up to him.
“Oh, yeah, my hip is much better. It was just a little bruise. Didn’t affect me at all.”
“You were limping yesterday.”
I thought I played it cool yesterday; looks like I wasn’t so smooth.
I clear my throat. “Have you been on this trail before?”
“Yeah, just the other day. I like the view of the lake this one has.”
“You just moved here and you already think you know as much as a local, huh? If anyone was going to do it, it would be you. Mr. Arrogant, was it?” I tilt my head to the side with a grin .
“I wouldn’t consider myself a local, but I’ve been on this trail. It’s nice.”
“Yes, I know. I’ve been hiking it for years.”
“Okay, Miss Expert. I get it. Maybe a newcomer will show you a thing or two.” He pulls ahead. The dick.
I could abandon this hike. I could go on another trail and ignore him completely.
Instead, my feet walk after him. The view in front of me is pleasant. Those jeans hug all the right places.
He interrupts my dreamland as we follow the path. “So, is your favorite color red? You know, since your name is Scarlett and all.”
“You did not just ask my favorite color,” I chuckle.
“You have a colorful name. It made me think of it.”
After an eye roll, I respond, “Yeah, I like red. What’s yours?”
“Scarlett.” He looks over his shoulder to give me a wink.
Did he just admit to liking me?
Scarlett! Don’t fall for it!
“So,” I interject, “what brings you to our little town?”
“I came from Texas for a work project.”
“Ah. You’re here temporarily?”
“That’s the plan. I’m only supposed to be here for six months, but I did buy a house in the area. I could always come back.”
“You just went and bought a house?” I scowl.
He says it like buying a house is a simple exchange. Just another thing from the grocery store. House, tomatoes, same thing.
“I needed a place to stay.”
“You could just rent.”
“I could, but that would be a waste. ”
He doesn’t elaborate. That’s fine, I don’t need to know all the details of my clients’ lives. It’s better I don’t. Especially because he’s leaving soon. No reason to know a thing or get involved with someone who won’t be able to commit.
We stay quiet and continue the hike. I stop at a stream, watching how fast water runs through some rocks. Birds chirp, the damp air fills my nostrils, the sun shines through the trees.
I vaguely hear his footsteps come to a stop. My head lifts after a few minutes. He’s standing in front of me, watching me.
“It’s so pretty out here. I sort of get lost.” I don’t know why I’m defending myself. He’s the one interrupting my hike.
“I can see that.” He has that stupid grin on his face that’s infuriating me. Mostly because I like it so much. “We can stop right over here if you want.”
He has his arm outstretched, pointing to a boulder where there’s a view of the lake and the stream. It looks perfect.
“Sounds good.”
He walks over to the boulder and puts down his backpack. To my surprise, he starts unloading a blanket and several food containers.
Did he plan this? I didn’t tell him I was going to be here. What’s going on?
“Perfect place to stop and have a bite to eat. You hungry?” he asks, as he unloads a never-ending meal.
“I’m not going to steal your lunch.” I cross my arms over my chest and stand at a distance from the boulder. And him.
“Don’t worry, I have more than enough. Why don’t you come take a seat with me?” He taps atop the blanket.
It does look delicious, and I am hungry. Who did he bring this picnic for? Am I intruding? My eyes search the surroundings waiting for people to join us from the trees.
He pulls out a fresh baguette and I give up any reservations I had about eating his meal.
“You don’t strike me as someone who eats carbs,” I tease as I sit down.
“I brought hummus, grapes, salami, cheese, and sparkling water. It’s good to stay hydrated.”
“Wow. What is all this for? Are you celebrating?”
He brings out two cups, making sure everything is still chilled. There must be fifty ice packs in there.
“Do I need to celebrate something?”
“It doesn’t seem like a normal lunch.”
“How ’bout running into the same woman multiple times. Rarely happens.”
I have no words.
“Or to my thirty-second birthday,” he supplies. “That was two months ago, though.”
“You’re an Aries?”
“I don’t know,” he chuckles. “Don’t think too much ’bout that shit.”
My mouth drops open. I’m a big believer in the Zodiac signs. I happen to know Aries are considered one of my perfect matches. They’re obviously wrong in this instance—he’s not even here permanently.
“ Shit ?” I raise an eyebrow. “How dare you.”
“Oh no. You’re one of those, huh?” He sighs. “It’s okay, I won’t judge.” He pauses. “Too much.”
“Hey!” I shove him. He laughs, making me smile. I like being the one to make him chuckle.
“How ’bout buying a house? ”
“You said it was temporary.”
“Yes, but I did buy one.”
I smirk at him while raising my glass. “Cheers.”
We eat his lunch amongst the fresh air and water. If I didn’t know any better, I would say we were on a date. We aren’t. If we were, though, this sure is a picturesque date. I can’t remember the last time I had a picnic. He brought everything—there are even little sets of cutlery.
“What do you think of Washington so far?” I ask.
“It’s beautiful. Pretty women, even though they seem to have an attitude.”
“Every woman here has an attitude?” I look at him with disbelief on my face.
“Well, just this gorgeous one with a colorful name.”
“Colorful? Are you talking about me?” I put my hand over my heart.
He just smirks back at me.
“If you’re talking about me,” I say with my eyebrow raised, “there will be consequences.”
“Consequences?” He makes a small grunting sound with a look saying he’s not impressed. “I think I can handle it.”
I take some hummus on a spoon and act like I’m going to spread it on my bread, but I quickly smear it all over his cheek instead.
He freezes for a moment, and then starts shuffling in his backpack. A small splash of water coats my face from a cup.
I scream, “You did not just do that!”
He raises his palms. “Hey, you started it!”
I’m quick, and retaliate by hitting him with the baguette. He breaks off half and it becomes a sword fight.
Are we twelve right now? What’s happening ?
He drops the bread on the blanket and wraps me in his arms so I can’t fight with him anymore. The move is surprising. I stiffen.
I’ll admit, I like his strong arms around me. I like how good he smells—sandalwood surrounding me.
Except, he’s my client. I shouldn’t be this close to him...like this. The gym’s professional reputation is going to go out the window if this continues.
He looks down, holding me in a bear hug, his lips leaning in closer to mine like he’s going to kiss me. I can’t kiss him. I turn away.
“Okay, okay, truce!” I try to make light of the moment as he releases me.
He makes some sort of noise like he’s clearing his throat. “Had to make sure I won.” Then he twists his wrist like he’s trying to adjust his watch.
“I’m not sure calling a truce is winning,” I joke.
“Don’t tempt me, Miss Scarlett,” he growls. He should do phone sex for a living, because damn, that voice is like a smooth whiskey melting through my body.
I turn away trying to hide my blush. I start cleaning up our mess and replacing the lids on the containers so we can continue our hike.
I’m trying to act busy, but my eyes keep wandering over to him.
He still has hummus on his cheek, his hair is tousled, and he’s looking at the bread as though it has all the answers to the mysteries of the world.
I start laughing. Maybe it’s from being embarrassed, maybe from feeling like a kid again, I don’t know, but I’m laughing with no end in sight.
He gives me a big, genuine smile and shakes his head.
I want to see a lot more of that smile .
But I can’t. I shouldn’t want to either. He’s the moron who almost ran me over, he’s leaving in a few months, and he’s a client. There’s no way we’d work.
Keeping my distance doesn’t seem like it’ll work either.