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Chapter Twenty

Scarlett

When the sun rose, and sleep still hadn’t come, I decided to drag myself to the shower. It would be the Monday of all Mondays.

Piers was taking some time off, a polite way of saying avoiding me. And Cohen was, well who the bloody hell really knew?

All I knew, is that he isn’t here. I gave my body to him, and he walked away without so much as a word or a backwards glance.

I put on a pot to brew, while I let the hot water bring me to my senses.

After blowing out my hair and touching up the dark circles under my eyes, I thrown on some skinny black leggings and a black sheer top, before thinking better of it and replacing it with a bold black and white stripped tunic. I’m not mourning, I’m moving on.

No black veil needed here...what I need is a pop of color, so I slide cherry red gloss over my lips and slip my feet into black ballet flats. I’m ready to take on this week.

I leave the house with exuberance on the outside… that I’m not feeling on the inside. Fake it till you make it I’ve heard. Here goes nothing.

I don’t even make it down the walk before realizing I left my coffee on the work top.

Bloody hell!

As I fumbling in my bag for my keys to get back in my house, my mobile vibrates with a message.

I ignore the message, it’s probably just my assistant wondering where I am.

It buzzes again as I’m swiping my mug, and taking a deep drink. I allow myself a quick peek to see what all the fuss is about, digging in the bottom of my bag for my phone.

Two new messages from Sexy Pirate.

What the, what? Cohen! Coffee threatens to spray from my mouth, as I try not to be so amused. I’m still angry. He must have changed his name in my mobile. I scold myself for the smile tickling the corners of my mouth.

When I was sound asleep, before he walked out. That smile fades.

Sexy Pirate: I’m so sorry I had to leave. Family emergency.

That’s what they all say.

Sexy Pirate: Please Scarlett, it wasn’t a brush off. I’m not fucking about.

He may not be, but he can fuck right off. I’m done with chasing.

Throwing my mobile back in my bag, I rush out the door and jump into my car.

I crank up the music as my car purrs to life, while managing to drop my bag in the seat next to me without spilling anything. Job well done.

The mobile vibrates again, and again.

It’s not until I’ve pulled in to traffic that I realize I’ve left my coffee. Again.

Using the hands free I call ahead to the office and tell Mina, my assistant that I’ll be late.

I then swing by the coffee shop to grab us both a venti cup of steaming goodness.

I waste another ten minutes, circling for a place to park.

I could have sent Mina when I got to work, but I’m not that boss. The one who thinks it’s the little woman’s job to bring the coffee. I’ve never asked anything of my employees that I wouldn’t do for myself or someone else. Including get coffee.

Seeing how she’s a new mum, I’m sure she could use the caffeine.