I feel the shake of her shoulder against me and know I’ve lightened the mood.
“So about Gia,” Scarlett adds and I let my head fall back with a sigh. “Be honest with me, do you like her?”
“I like her, yes.” It’s Scar’s turn to sigh. “But not beyond a friendship, I meant what I said. There is nothing there. There won’t ever be anything more.”
“So you won’t force me to sit through holidays dinners with that retched human?”
“I would never.” What Scarlett doesn’t know is that her opinion means the world to me. There are very few people that she dislikes, or those that dislike her. “If you want me to let that shit go, then I will.”
“What I want is for you to find someone that makes you laugh and feel good for more than a few hours.” She twists her neck looking up at me. “I want you to find a woman that deserves you because you are pretty great.”
“I know.” She pinches my side making me scoot away.
“I mean it,” she insists. “You are the guy that will run into a burning building to save a little boy’s puppy. You’re the guy that carries an elderly woman down three flights of stairs and gives her your mask so she doesn’t inhale the smoke swarming through the halls.” Scarlett’s eyes shine and I have to look away. “I know you don’t like to hear the word hero in reference to yourself but that’s what you are.”
“I’m doing my job,” I correct her.
“Yes, I know. A job that many don’t have the courage to do. All I’m saying is at the end of those shifts, after you’ve given this city and its people your all, I’d love nothing more than for you to have someone to come home to.”
“I don’t need to come home to someone.”
“You may not need it, but deep down, beneath all that stubbornness, you want it.”
6
Skye Simmons
“Girl, I’ve got enough to last us well into the night.” Vivian stands on the threshold, holding about ten bags hooked on her arms. “Chips and salsa, because, hello, margaritas.” She does a little shimmy and comes within seconds of dropping the contents in her arms. Quickly I reach out and start to relieve her, passing things to Tori who is waiting at my side.
Laughter echoes down the hallway and both Viv and I look up just in time to see a woman exiting the apartment next door.
She is gorgeous. Long dark hair hanging practically to her waist. Short shorts showing off long naturally tanned toned legs. Her shirt is formfitting and I swear she has not an ounce of fat on her athletic body.
“Vivian Marshall?” Suddenly she is moving toward us and my neighbor follows behind her. “Oh my God! It’s been ages.”
The woman side hugs Vivian and the two of them start to carry on about just how long it’s been. I chance a look in the direction she’d come from and notice my neighbor hovering close behind. Dragging my gaze up his body I feel my pulse quicken at what I find. He is built, strong arms and chest, narrow waist. It’s no wonder this woman is with this man, my goodness they are both godly.
When I scan upward and my eyes connect with his I quickly look away.
“Skye,” Vivian regains my attention. “This is Scarlett,” she introduces the beautiful creature and I remember her name instantly. She was my neighbor’s cousin.
“Hi.” I offer a wave and she gives me the sweetest smile in return. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” I take a couple more bags from Vivian as she tries to balance them and pass them back to Tori before she takes them to the kitchen.
“Looks like you all have a fun night planned.” Scarlett points toward the tequila Vivian is holding.
“Margaritas, food, and girl talk,” Vivian offers in explanation.
“Sounds like a perfect night.” Scarlett has a kind smile, one that almost instantly warms you. I don’t know what comes over me but before I can stop myself the words are falling from my lips.
“Would you like to join us?” Scarlett looks at me then at Vivian.
“Oh wow, I’d hate to impose, but I?—”
“It’s no imposition,” I assure her as I step aside. “There is more food than we’ll eat and from the looks of it, Vivian has bought out the liquor store. So if you’re free.” I wave toward my apartment.
I watch as she glances back over her shoulder and even though I want to look back to the man only a few feet away I force myself not to.