Page 29 of What If We Do

Hmm…what if…

“So, you don’t think it’s creepy for two people to possibly fall in love in one day?”

Milo shrugs. “Fuck a day. Falling in love only takes a moment.”

Charlee turns and looks at Milo with a loving smile. “My moment was the night you carried me to your room and read to me.”

Milo nods. “My moment was the day I opened my penthouse door and saw you on the other side of it.”

Charlee’s shoulders fall and she starts to cry. “Milo! You can’t say things like that to a hormonal pregnant woman!”

“Sorry babe,” he says pulling her against him. “But I speak the truth.”

Smiling at them both, I lay a hand on Charlee’s knee. “Hey thanks for the advice, guys. I think you may have sparked an idea.”

“That’s what we’re here for man,” Milo says. “Let us know if we can be of any help. The guys and I are getting pretty good at grand gestures when it comes to the ladies.”

Chapter 9

Scarlett

My body hasn’t felt this sufficiently sore, in all the best ways ever, in my history of sex. Mark was not by any means a fierce lover. He was a missionary all the time kind of guy and if he got off before me, so be it. It sucks that it’s taken being left at the altar to realize what I had with my ex was not what I thought it was in my heart. That all this time I was simply convincing myself that a life with Mark Adleman was the kind of life I wanted.

Now I beg to differ.

Now I know that kind of life isn’t what I want at all.

I deserve better.

I deserve to wake up every morning with the man of my dreams.

I deserve to have my body worshipped like it was last night.

I deserve to be able to wake up so sore that I need a warm bubble bath to rejuvenate my tight muscles from all the intense but oh, so enjoyable sex the night before.

I deserve to be happy.

But when I roll over in this big comfy bed expecting to feast my eyes on the divinely sexy and sleeping Oliver Magallan, I find his side of the bed empty. No sign of him or his luggage. Nothing except for a note lying on his pillow. Opening the folded paper ripped from the notepad on the desk, I read his words.

Good morning, Gorgeous.

I know if I had woken you to say goodbye, I would’ve missed my flight and possibly my next game and well, with fame comes responsibility, right? In all honesty though, I find it extremely hard to resist you and felt it would better for both ofus if I just left peacefully rather than drag any of our emotions into my departure. But I can’t leave without saying one thing.

You are an amazing human being, Scarlett Dayne.

Okay, maybe two things, because I’m not done. The way you aim to live your life, spreading love and kindness, your proclivity for spontaneity, your energy in making messes, and your inner peace are what make you a beautiful person. I sincerely hope you can follow your heart in all that you do when you head back home. That you continue to be brave and take chances. Remind yourself the brave don’t live forever, but the overly cautious and those who dampen your light don’t live at all, Scarlett.

Our time together is something I will NEVER forget. Thank you for encouraging me to let go and “live” with you. It meant more to me than you know. Until we meet again…and I hope we do meet again…

All my love,

Oliver.

His note clutched to my chest, I lie back on my pillow and stare up at the bed canopy. “Dammit. He’s really gone.”

It’s not like I didn’t expect this.

I knew at some point we would have to say goodbye to one another. I guess the selfish part of me wanted to experience waking up next to a man who genuinely cared for me. A man who put my feelings first. A man who found me sincerely attractive. Even if for just a fleeting moment.

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