“Nope.” I cut her off. “It’s my pleasure to watch him. And let’s be real, it’s the least I can do.”
“Don't start,” she says softly, well aware of exactly what I’m referring to.
I’m not sure how someone who’s been through so much can be so understanding… so forgiving of me, but Nora is, and I’m damn sure thankful for it.
“Too late, already started.” I lean down and snatch her shoe box. “And I’m treating you to these since you paid for my nails.”
“Scarlet!” she screeches my name, her cheeks instantly going beet red. “Give those back right now.”
“I will,” I promise. “Right after I pay.”
“Oh my god.” She huffs out a breath. “How did I end up with so many bossy people in my life?”
I grin at her as I tap my card to the reader. “Luck.”
She smiles softly at me and shakes her head. “Yeah, you’re right. Some days, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”
My heart pinches in my chest because, while I’m over the moon for Nora, a small part of me can’t help but wonder when it’ll be my turn.
SIX
SCARLET
“Areyou sure you don’t mind?” my best friend asks for what feels like the billionth time.
“Yes.” I hiss the word, dragging out theS. Let’s be real, the only things my Friday nights ever consist of are The Creek or snuggling up with a new book and Fefe. “I was sure the first time you asked me, and the second, and the third, and I’m sure now. This is your honeymoon trial run. Not to mention, y’all deserve a night out. Some alone time, you know?”
She glances down, flexing her fingers so that both her manicure and engagement ring glitter in the overhead lights. “Logically, I know we do, but...” As if on cue, James, her eleven-month-old starts to fuss. She shoots me a meaningful look as she rushes to pick up her son. “It's just hard leaving him, you know? Especially when he’s cutting teeth.”
My spine stiffens, but I shrug off the discomfort trying to wrap itself around me. Because I most certainly do not know what motherhood is like. I have no clue what it’s like to love another being so deeply, and if I’m being honest, I probably never will. But Nora doesn't mean anything by it—the girl wouldn't even hurt a bug, and I mean that literally. She doesn'teven kill spiders. Nope, she makes Atlas capture them and set them free.
“I can only imagine,” I say with a lightness I don't actually feel. “But he's in good hands with his Aunt Scar.” I open my arms, and she passes James my way. “Aren't ya? You know you are.”
He snuggles into me, rubbing his cheek against mine.
“Holy shit. You sure you wanna let her hold him?”
My heart launches itself into my throat as I freeze on the spot.Why ishehere and why does his deep, raspy voice curl my toes?
I reposition James to my other hip right as Ellis enters the room alongside Atlas. “Why are you here?” I ask bluntly.
“Be nice,” Nora pleads, though I’m not entirely sure which of us she’s speaking to. She turns to me, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. “Please don’t be mad.”
Her big puppy dog eyes and anxious tone set me on edge. Something’s up, and I’m definitely not going to like it.
“Why would I be mad?” I ask even as dread settles in my gut like a stone.
“Looks like they finally wised up about leaving James alone with you,” Ellis murmurs, looking all too proud of himself.
A pang of hurt rubs against my tender heart, but I shake it off before it can take root. He’s full of it, he has to be. Ellis Wilder is nothing more than a dumb boy desperate to get a rise out of me.
“If I’m so terrible, why was I their first choice, huh?” I snuggle James closer, swaying on my feet as I try to keep my cool. I really shouldn’t goad him, but he gets under my skin like no one else.
“A temporary lapse in judgment,” he mumbles, tilting his head sideways as he takes me in. “God knows, I wouldn’t trust you to watch my dog.”
“You don’t even have a dog.”Really, Scarlet? That’s the best comeback you could think of? You sound like an idiot.
“Not the point, Scar.”
