18. Scarlet
SCARLET
“Don’t forget. I’ll be here around seven. Be ready for dinner.”
Grayson’s parting words from earlier in the day repeated in my head as I applied another coat of mascara. My hair sat in Velcro rollers, and for the first time in weeks, I had an excuse to wear earrings. I didn’t realize until now how much I’d craved a night out.
Even if we were spending it inside.
It didn’t matter. After leaving me alone last night with no explanation, he owed me a nice dinner.
He owed me more than that. Staring at myself in the mirror as I pulled the rollers from my hair, I resolved to hold him accountable.
I was through making the same mistakes time and again, something I began to realize after the shine of my orgasms faded, leaving behind a growing ache of emptiness.
So why was I so excited about dinner? Butterflies fluttered around in my stomach all day when I imagined being with him tonight. Just the two of us. Maybe we could forget about everything going on around us for a little while.
No. My freshly made eyes closed, and I gripped the counter, silently cursing myself out for being such an idiot.
It didn’t matter how I felt in my heart or the rest of my body, I had to listen to my head, and my head knew I needed to stand up for myself.
It was time to break the cycle of letting men walk over me because that was all I’d ever known growing up. I had to be strong for myself.
At ten minutes to seven, my phone buzzed with a text from Grayson. My heart dropped. Is he canceling on me? Crazy how my thoughts immediately went there. A sigh of relief slid out from my pursed lips when I read the message.
Grayson: Stay in the bedroom while I make sure everything is set up.
What did he have in mind? I heard him out there, walking around.
Something clattered, followed by a grunted curse.
There was noise in the kitchen—drawers opening and closing, cabinet doors banging shut.
It would have been cute, hearing him rush around, if I weren’t determined to guard my heart.
I needed to be smarter this time. I finished getting ready, reminding myself over and over to be smart.
To guard myself even as I adjusted my boobs so they’d look nice and perky in a V-cut dress.
After another five minutes or so, there was a knock on the bedroom door. “You ready?” he asked. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking from the tone of his voice.
Was I ready? For dinner, sure. I had saved my appetite. For a conversation, not so much, at least if my trembling legs were any indication. That didn’t stop me from opening the door to find him holding a bouquet of red roses.
It was his dark suit that almost made me forget to breathe, though.
He had even dressed up for our special night, and the effect took my legs from trembling to weak.
“You look gorgeous,” he murmured, his gaze traveling slowly over me while I tried to remember how to speak.
I hadn’t expected this. It wasn’t fair. How was I supposed to stick to my guns when the open buttons of his crisp shirt revealed a patch of tanned chest?
“You’re looking just as nice,” I told him, shoving aside my helpless lust before burying my nose in the flowers once I accepted them. “They’re so beautiful. Thank you.”
“There’s a vase for them in the dining room.
” He led the way to the room between the kitchen and the study, and I didn’t know what was more intriguing—the faint aroma of tomatoes and garlic that grew stronger with every step or the man in front of me.
He looked just as good going as he did coming.
Stay strong, girl. There was no room for my hormones tonight.
At least, not yet. Maybe later, once eating and talking were out of the way.
“What is all this?“ I asked, awed at the sight and the smell of a feast spread out on the dining room table. He’d put out two place settings and lit candles too. Their dancing flames cast a warm, inviting glow over the room as I lowered the bouquet into a crystal vase.
“I thought you deserved something a little special after so many weeks without much of an opportunity to get out in the world,” he explained. “This seemed like a decent compromise. I asked Sebastian to send over some of Home’s most popular dishes.”
“This is from Home?” I was practically swooning, and not only because the aromas made my stomach growl and my head spin. He had put real thought into this.
“It is, and I hope you’re hungry because he sent a ton.
” He pulled out my chair for me, and I took a seat, overwhelmed—lasagna, meatballs, sausage, sautéed greens, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of wine.
“And Claudia added tiramisu, which I placed in the fridge,” he explained as he sat across from me.
The food looked amazing, but he looked better. I smiled, watching the candlelight play off his features while his face glowed. “This is so thoughtful.”
“It’s the least you deserve.”
My cheeks warmed when his penetrating stare lingered on me. The man had the power to make me tingle to the tips of my fingers and toes. “Let’s eat,” I suggested. It was either that or dissolve into a puddle every time I caught him watching me like he was trying to commit me to memory.
“I miss eating like this on the regular,” he mused, plating a massive slab of lasagna. “My mom is an incredible cook. Old-school Italian, a pot of sauce every Sunday, leftovers in the fridge throughout the week. I’ve missed it.”
“Food is special,” I mused, cutting into a tender meatball. Everything was so flavorful and fresh. “It helps bring back memories. We always ate well on holidays, but my mom would order in from our favorite restaurant. Otherwise, she never did much cooking.”
Eyeing him as he tore into his food, I asked, “If you’ve missed your mom’s cooking, why haven’t you been home? You talk about her in present tense, so…” My curiosity went too far. I could see how his features hardened a little before he looked down at his plate.
“It’s complicated. I had to walk away from the life I used to know. That meant leaving family dinner behind too. Though we talk on the phone regularly.”
His memories led to more, and soon, he was smiling, telling me about big meals around the family table and getting into trouble with his cousins during holiday celebrations.
There was a sweet wistfulness about him that I wished I could capture.
We had both lost our moms, in a way. One more thing we had in common.
I kept falling deeper, no matter how I fought my feelings for him. Every glance and brief smile that made my skin tingle and my stomach flutter worked against me. I never stood a chance.
“You should know something.” He finished dragging a piece of bread through what was left of the sauce on his plate once he’d demolished the lasagna and meat. “You won’t have to hide out like this for much longer. I’ve worked it out.”
Whoa. Sudden left turn. I could have used a warning, especially since he said it in a direct, strident way that told me he was prepared to say it.
“You what?” And why the hell hadn’t he told me that earlier? This could have been a real celebration. Setting down my knife and fork, I almost jumped out of my chair. “What happened? I mean, did you… did he…” Suddenly, I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.
He understood, frowning and shaking his head. “I have a meeting in a little while. Everything will be worked out then. You won’t have anything to worry about anymore.”
I didn’t know which question to voice first or if I should ask any. “You’re leaving after dinner?” That seemed like the safest one. “I thought… I mean, I hoped we’d spend time together tonight.”
“I can’t.” That was all he said. No apology. Not even an attempt at looking regretful. “I’m getting everything taken care of tonight. Vaughn will let you know once it’s cleared up, and you’re free to go.”
Vaughn? No way. I had to be hearing him wrong. He was making it sound like I wouldn’t see him anymore. “What are you saying? Why won’t you be able to tell me yourself?”
He wiped his mouth on his napkin before checking his phone. “After tonight, you’ll be able to go on with your life. It’s for the best you live it without me, Scarlet.”
Then he stood slowly while I struggled to catch up. How could he put this delicious meal in front of me, then get up to leave like it meant nothing? How could I mean nothing? “I don’t understand. How… why?” I whispered, standing, leaning against the table for support.
“It’s for the best. You’ll be free, I promise you that.
” His dark eyes sparkled in the candlelight, but there was nothing behind them.
He might as well have been a stranger. “You can start over, be the person you want to be. There’s a bank account in your name with enough money in it that you can afford to stay here in Vegas if you want, or you can start over somewhere else. But it will be your choice.”
How could it be my choice when I wasn’t being given a choice? “But where are you going? Why are you doing this?”
“I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do.” He looked over the table, his gaze lingering on the flowers for a beat. What a joke. He bought me a lush bouquet, only to say goodbye. “You deserve a shot at a life, and I’m going to give it to you.”
“But why? I don’t mean the money,” I added, waving a hand. Not that it didn’t matter, but right now, it didn’t matter as much as other things. The pain threatening to shred my heart was more important. “I mean, why are you going away?”
“Scarlet, how many times do I have to tell you?” he asked with a sigh. At least he looked a little more human now like he could feel something. “I am not the man—”
“You’re not the kind of man I need in my life, right?” I asked. Bitter disappointment surged in my veins and made tears well in my eyes. “You’re making the decision for me. Isn’t that right?”
“I don’t want to argue about this.”