Chapter 12 #2
Alex leaned back in his chair, turning his attention to the guests. “I used to be the guy who makes dumb choices trying to be the hero. Lance balanced me out.”
“When you were in the military?” Scarlet asked.
Alex shifted his weight in his chair and hesitated.
“No,” he finally answered. “I was a private military contractor for a company called Code Four. One of our missions took a bad turn.”
He nodded toward Lance. “I’d definitely be dead if it weren’t for him, and he’s helped me cope with the aftermath.”
Scarlet watched as Lance frowned at Alex before disappearing into the building. She wanted to inquire more. She wanted to reach out, grab Alex’s hands, and let him know he could tell her anything. Scarlet also wanted to ignore the flutters in her stomach.
“Sorry,” Alex said, breaking into her thoughts. “That was kind of intense.”
“I don’t mind,” Scarlet insisted. “I like listening to people’s stories. Everyone has one to tell.”
She watched Alex idly nudge the array of silverware into a straighter formation.
“And everyone should have at least one close friend,” Scarlet went on. “I don’t know who I would have become without mine.”
Alex stopped what he was doing, raising an eyebrow at her. “The loud, bossy, obnoxious one?”
Scarlet suppressed a laugh. “Nora isn’t that bad. She’s kind of privileged, but…” She shifted her gaze out to the courtyard. “She showed up when I really needed a friend.”
She felt Alex’s eyes on her.
“I’d been in a funk for about a couple years when she came along,” she explained. “My closest friend since childhood passed away, um, suddenly, and my dad became irrationally overprotective as a result.”
Alex shifted again, this time away from her. His brow furrowed as he listened, and she couldn’t help but hesitate herself. Maybe he didn’t want to hear her sob story.
“Parents can do that,” his managed a tight lip smile.
“His health was declining,” Scarlet went on. “Which didn’t help. It was a lot to take as I entered my ballet career. I thought about giving up on it. I kept to myself. I didn’t talk to anyone. I guess I was depressed.”
She turned her attention away from Alex to look around the room.
“Nora showed up about a year ago,” she shrugged. “She was driven, confident, and practically made me be her friend. She filled this void I didn’t even realize I was missing. I hadn’t let myself think about it.” Scarlet let out a long breath. “Sorry, didn’t mean to trauma dump.”
He doesn’t want to hear about this.
Alex’s frowned deepened. “Don’t apologize. You’ve been on a tough road.”
Scarlet shrugged. “It seems to be working out a little better now.”
“Aside from the whole kidnapping thing,” Alex pointed out.
“Right,” Scarlet said. “Thanks for reminding me.”
Alex straightened in his seat. “I know, I’m not the best at carrying conversation,” he said. “I’m the worst date ever.”
“Oh, so this is a date,” Scarlet said with a chuckle.
Alex blinked. “No—I. That’s not?—”
“I’ve never had an armed date before.” Scarlet relished the fact that Alex was blushing. “I’ll have to tell my parents about you.”
“Definitely don’t do that.” Alex clenched his jaw.
Scarlet blinked at his tone shift. Trying to gauge what jokes she could make wasn’t working out in her favor.
“I’m messing with you.” Scarlet reached over and patted his knee. “Chill out. I know you’d rather be out changing the oil in your car than be sitting here with me.”
“Not entirely true.” Alex raised an eyebrow. “And don’t act like you want to be here any more than I do.”
Scarlet let out a short laugh. “Is it that obvious?”
She was quiet for a moment, gazing out at the mingling people. Everyone was dressed to impress. The women wore shimmering dresses and sparkling jewelry, while the men had tailored suits and golden cufflinks. They drank from crystal glasses, laughing and chattering about nothing.
No one paid attention to Scarlet and Alex. She was okay with the privacy. She was okay with being this close to Alex, not having to worry about people’s inquisitive stares because the poor ballerina needed a bodyguard. No, this was much more informal, and she could get used to it.
Scarlet’s phone buzzed softly from her small clutch. She reached for it, reading the text from Nora. She got up quickly. “I’m leaving.”
“What?” Alex looked up in surprise.
Scarlet smoothed out her dress and nodded at the gate leading out. “I don’t want to be here. Nora and Logan are down at the Library.”
“The Library?” Alex blinked.
“It’s a club.” Scarlet shrugged. “It’s not far from here. A lot of the dancers go there to let loose.”
Alex got up slowly, casting a nervous look at Edward. Scarlet followed his gaze. Edward was deep in conversation with a group of people.
“Come on,” she said, looking back. “Wouldn’t you rather be somewhere else?”
“Yeah.” Alex narrowed his eyes. “But I have to keep you here. It’s my job.”
“No,” Scarlet said. “Your job is to watch over me … and I want to leave.”
Alex stepped around his chair, crossing his arms in front of him.
Scarlet lifted her chin into the air and smirked. “Come on. No one will miss us.”
Alex laughed. “That’s a goddamn lie.”
“Maybe.” Scarlet shrugged, backing up. “But that’s a chance I’m willing to take.”
She turned on her heel, making a beeline for the back gate. The bulk of the party was near the front, waiting to speak to Edward.
Maybe Madame Adele was right. She was too rough around the edges for all this. Maybe Edward would be furious. Maybe she’d be punished. Maybe she was letting her defiance get the best of her.
Scarlet didn’t care. She didn’t look back until she was standing outside North Pointe where the busy streets welcomed her. She breathed in deep, not minding the exhaust.
Next to her, Alex stepped up, looking up at the starry sky. He had his phone out in front of him so Scarlet could see the screen.
He looked down and typed out a text to Lance:
Scarlet is feeling sick. Please let Edward know that I’m taking her home.
Scarlet felt a shiver of excitement as he pressed send, and lowered the phone. He smiled at her, pushing the surge of elation farther.
“Lead the way.”