Page 71 of Finally Moore

Tilly winces. “I take it, it didn’t go well?”

“She panicked and now… I’m terrified I’ve lost her.” I collapse on the sofa as I say my greatest fear out loud.

“I’m sorry.” Jax sighs as he takes a seat next to me. “Was it really that bad?”

“She ran outside and started to hyperventilate.”

“Maybe she just needs time,” Tilly attempts to reason with me, ever the optimistic. I used to be that way too until…

“Ormaybeshe was on the fence, and this scared her to the other side.”

“Scarlett… she’s complicated,” my sister points out the obvious. “Give her some time, allow things to settle down.”

“I hope you’re right.” I chug back the rest of my beer. “Otherwise, you owe me a date for New Year’s.”

“Deal.” Tilly smiles. “And I’m only agreeing to spend the holiday away from my loving husband and my two sweet boys, because I know you aren’t going to need me there. I promise, by tomorrow, everything will be better—no, it’ll be perfect. You and Scarlett, it’s meant to be.”

“What’s this?” Killian groans. “Scarlett’s single?” he asks with that stupid glint in his eye. I kick the bastard in the side. He rolls over to clutch his stomach, and everyone laughs.

It’s late by the time I make it back to the cottage. The lights are all off. As quietly as I can, I sneak inside. I feel like an ass for being gone all day, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized Tilly was right. Scarlett needed time to process things, and while I’m certain about my feelings, maybe she needed a moment to figure out hers?

Besides, despite all the bullshit, today was Christmas and her last day with her family. After tomorrow, we will have all the time we need to figure this out.

Since I have to be up early to open the café, I decide it might be best to sleep on the couch. I assumed I’d have a tubby furball to temporarily relocate. Instead, I find his owner curled up in a blanket with her discarded book on the floor. She must have passed out reading.

Was she waiting up for me?She didn’t message me all day, so I assumed she was busy.

I pick up the book and carefully set it on the table so it doesn’t get stepped on. Then I scoop her up in my arms, carry her to the bed, and tuck her in.

“Goodnight, Angel.” I kiss the top of her head.

“Scott,” she calls out, her voice groggy with sleep.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You came back.” She sniffles.

Was she crying?

“Of course, I came back.” I sit next to her on the edge of the bed. “Sorry, I lost track of time and I have to be up early tomorrow. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Don’t go.” She grips my arm. “Please.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Angel.” I crawl into bed behind her and pull her close to my chest. It’s not long before her breaths even out and she’s fast asleep. “I’ll stay as long as you want. Forever would be my preference… but I’ll take whatever you give me.”

“Forever sounds nice,” she says quietly.

“Then forever it is.” I kiss her cheek. “Sweet dreams, Scarlett.”

Chapter thirty

Scarlett

Mydisappointmentatwakingup alone, and not tangled up in Scott’s arms, is quickly replaced by joy as I find his little note resting on top of my phone.

Good morning beautiful,

I didn’t want to wake you. You looked so peaceful sleeping. But I’m already counting down the minutes until I see you again.

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