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Chapter Six
Scarlett
After showering until there was no hot water left, I felt almost human again. Thankfully Teddy made me take aspirin after he brought me home or I’d have an even worse hangover.
Pulling out my mobile, I ring him as the car pulls away from my flat. Three rings later, he answers.
“Morning, love,” he quips.
“I know very well it’s past lunch, you arse.” I slide my sunnies into place. “I’m actually calling to say thanks for showing up last night.”
Silence.
“Teddy?” I ask, careful not to raise my voice. My head is still banging.
“Look, I know I had no business tying one on with this deal looming over the weekend, but I didn’t expect Piers to drop a bomb on me like that. So thanks for crawling out of your hole to bail me out,” I carry on.
“What are you talking about? I was in my office ‘til nearly dawn. I didn’t come. I told you I couldn’t,” he replies.
“Quit being cheeky, Theodore Stone. It’s not funny.”
“I swear to you, I would never joke about something like that. I told you I couldn’t meet, love. I’m telling the truth.” His voice is filled with concern. Great. Just what I need—him worrying over me the way he does. “Where were you? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Other than still being a little pissed. I just stopped off at this pub on the way from Piers’ flat last night.”
“Christ, Scarlett! You could have been mugged!” Fail.
“I’m fine. I told you. And please, lower your voice,” I shush him.
“What were you doing at Piers’?” he asks, and I hear what he’s not saying in his tone.
“Calm down. I didn’t do anything. I drove him home after bumping into him at the office. He had some rather interesting news to share and he had a few drinks.”
His silence lets me know he already heard the big news.
“Obviously you know. It’s fine.” I brush it off. “I drove him home. End of.”
“Are you okay?” he asks quietly, ever the big teddy bear, always so worried about everyone. I wish it could have been him I fell for and not Piers. But Teddy is just a brother to me.
“Well, I’ve been better,” I answer honestly, surprising myself. I really need a filter today.
“Where is your car? Are you on your way to the country yet?” he asks.
“No, headed to the office now to grab a few papers I need first, then taking a car service. My car is home, but I don’t feel like driving,” I tell him, although I have no memory of how it got there.
“How the hell did your car get home if you were too drunk to know who got you home?” he grills me. Shit!
“I don’t know. But I know I wouldn’t have driven it pissed,” I snap. “There are a lot of black holes in my evening.”
“Scarlett, you’ve got to be more—”
“Just pulling up to the office. Ring you later,” I interrupt and end the call. Taking my sunnies off, I massage my temples and lay my head back against the soft leather for the last couple blocks, trying to gather my thoughts.
What the hell happened last night?
The sun is blinding as I exit the car and walk toward the office. I’m so glad to be taking a car service this weekend and not driving. Even with all this bloody rain, mother-nature manages to save up all her sunny goodness for the exact moment I’m walking outside. I instantly regret my decision to leave my sunnies in the car. Squinting, I find my way to the door, just as it opens. “Morning, Miss Scarlett.” Our guard nods with a knowing smile.
“Morning, Otis,” I reply, knowing it’s well past noon.
