Page 17 of Finally Moore

“Scott wants to fuck you.” She shrugs as if it’s so obvious. “And based on the living conditions he’s willing to endure to get there, he wants it bad.” She grips the air and humps it before giving her imaginary partner a little spank.

“He does not.” I laugh.

“Really? Come on, I know he’s one of the golden boys of this town but he’s still a man. They’re sharks and you reek of virgin blood.”

“I’m far from being a virgin.”

“Twelve months without dick resets the clock.” She shakes her head like this is some set-in-stone rule. “And what? You’re going on at least twenty-four, am I right? There was a time when you could have been a one-woman red-light district. But now, you’re as pure as fresh snow and Scott Moore wants to be the first one to get a taste before someone else pisses on it.”

“Ew.”

“What? Don’t get mad at me because it’s true. No one wants to eat snow that’s been walked on.”

“First of all, I’m not snow. Secondly, make up your mind. Am I getting pissed on or walked on in this analogy? Because I can assure you, the answer is neither. Besides, Scott is just nice. I’m friends with Tilly. He’s doing it as a favor for herandhe has a girlfriend.”

“Scott has a girlfriend?” she asks, as though that concept is completely out of the realm of possibility.

“Well, not technically. They had some magical date at the beginning of the month and he’s waiting for her to get a divorce. I guess she wasn’t exactly single… yet.”

“Okay, so back to my point: he just wants to fuck you.”

“No, he told me he needed my help with something.”

“Is it hard and hanging between his legs?”

“He didn’t specify and I didn’t ask. But I assure you Scott’s not like that. I was just so thrilled that I didn’t have to spend Christmas listening to my mom and stepsister ridicule me for trying to pretend I have a life. And he made it very clear he was just helping his sister’s friend. It sounds like this is a favor he’d do for anyone.”

“Did you ask Tilly? Run this plan past her?”

“I mean, she knows.” I shrug.

“Who knew first, Scott or Tilly?”

“Well, Scott. He walked in with Brucey in his arms at the same time my family showed up. And before I knew it, I was telling everyone we’re getting married, and he kinda just went with it.”

“See? He’s just hoping to get laid.”

“I already told you Scott’s not like that,” I remind her.

“Scott’s not like what?” My mom startles us with her presence.

“Um…” I stumble over my words. Hannah and I look at each other, trying to come up with something reasonable to say. The last thing I wantor needis for my mother to think there’s a problem. I may not value her opinion all that much anymore. But I definitely don’t want my stepsister or Kasey to think anything’s amiss.

“Wedding plans!” Hannah shouts. “Scarlett is worried about the small, intimate ceremony they’re planning. She’s concerned that Scott wants something bigger and is sacrificing his dreams to make her happy. But I keep telling her Scott isn’t like that.”

“She’s right. I hate showy weddings.”

Speak of the devil.Is my bell broken? Or could I not hear it over the sound of my heart thudding in my chest?

Scott deposits a bag on the counter before setting a cup beside it. The smell alone tells me it’s my usual. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.” He smiles. “But when you didn’t stop in this morning, I knew you must’ve been busy.”

“Oh, thank you.” I glance down at the generous offering, in search of the strings Hannah is convinced are attached to it. But as Scott continues to smile at me, I’m struggling to see them.

Or maybe I just don’t want to?

“Well, I better get back and prep for lunch service.” He presses a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.” Scott winks at me before turning towards my gawking employee. “Hannah, pleasure as always. Mrs. Valentine, you look lovely this morning.” Mom’s ego visibly inflates at the compliment as she stands a little taller. “Excuse me, I’d love to stick around and chat, but if I don’t get back soon, chaos will ensue.” With that, he exits.

“Oh my.” Mom fans herself. “I thought men like that only existed in movies.”

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