Page 47 of Trash the Dress

“Nothing about what you did to me was dismissed quickly. I’ve spentyearsmessed up because of your choices. And you decide when I’ve finally moved on and opened up to someone new to barge in and try to destroy it. I won’t let you and your games take a second more of my life from me,” I tell her.

“I’m not giving up on you…on us. You’ll see. She isn’t the one for you. When you get tired of playing house, I’ll be here. And if you insist on being part of your child’s life, I’ll love them too. We can be a family. I didn’t think you wanted kids, but I can see you’ve changed your mind, for now at least. That’s fine with me. I want what you want,” she says as I’m leading her to the front door to make her leave.

“You’re right. I thought I never wanted kids. But sometimes you end up needing the things you never thought you wanted. And I’d like to think the ‘Keeper of the Stars’—just like that old love song—knew whatHewas doing. I’m where I’m meant to be, starting a family with Scarlett,” I say matter of fact.

“We’re not over,” she says, refusing to accept what I’m saying.

I’m not sure how much clearer I can be, so I lean closer. “We are. We’re done. Goodbye.”

She stares at me for a few seconds and then walks outside. “I won’t give up. I always get what I want. And I want you back,” she says.

It’s in that moment I notice movement to my left and find a girl standing there, her brown eyes boring into me. She startled me, but she’s familiar. She must’ve pulled up while I was dealing with the chaos that is Vivian. “Uh, can I help you?”

“I’m here to pick up more of Scarlett’s things. I’m Anna, her best friend.”

“Oh, come on in,” I tell her as I glance at Vivian’s taillights.

When the door closes behind us, I face her. She has no hint of a smile. I can tell she doesn’t like me, and I deserve it. I kind oflike that she’s here for Scarlett. That’s how a best friend should be. It’s what I thought Sam and I had before. But sometimes the trash takes itself out. Mine certainly did.

“Is Scarlett okay?” I ask.

“Seriously, dude? She came home to the house you asked her to move into, you promised not to hurt her, and then she finds your crazy ex-fiancée naked on your bed waiting for you. She’s also very emotional and pregnant. But sure, if that’s okay, then she’s peachy,” she says with heavy sarcasm.

I let out a sigh and inwardly groan because I still can’t believe Vivian had been waiting naked on my bed. She was pulling out all the stops, but much to her surprise, my very pregnant girlfriend came home first. The whole thing is a mess, and I can only imagine what Scarlett was thinking. “It’s not like that. She’s nothing to me anymore,” I tell her.

Her eyes widen and her brows rise. She points to the closed front door. “I just imagined the woman who walked out your door and was telling you she wasn’t giving up on you. Cool. Where’s Scarlett’s stuff?”

If the situation weren’t so serious, I’d laugh at her snarky comments.

“She showed up uninvited,” I tell her, because it’s the honest truth.

“Hmm. Like the other night. I can’t imagine why Scarlett would want to leave. Naked crazy ex-fiancées are every woman’s dream.”

I can’t help but chuckle even given the circumstances because this girl is a razor blade out for blood, but I don’t blame her. She stares at me coldly, and I clear my throat.

“Sorry, I just think it’s nice you’re so protective of her. She’s lucky to have you.”

“I’ve got her back. Always have and always will. You hurt her. You don’t get my nice side.”

“Understood. Can you please give me a chance to talk to her before getting all her things? I know the other night was all kinds of messed up, and I know I could have—and should’ve—handled it better. But we’re both in unfamiliar territory. The way we’ve been brought together and a baby on the way too…if she decides she won’t forgive me, I’ll bring her stuff to her apartment myself.”

She stares at me hard enough I start to fidget. “I’m giving you one chance. Don’t make my best friend cry again,” she says, pointing a finger in my direction.

“What if they’re tears of joy? I can’t be held responsible for pregnant tears of joy, can I?”

She crosses her arms and I’m not sure if it’s my imagination or real, but I could swear her lips tip up into a smirk. “I’ll be the judge of what kind of tears they are. May the odds be in your favor. I’m sure I’ll see you soon either way,” she says and then leaves.

I let out a breath. Hopefully Scarlett will be back here and in my bed by nightfall and we can put this crazy mess behind us.

What doesn’t break you makes you stronger…right? I’ve never wanted that to be true more than I do right now. I need my sunshine.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Scarlett

“He’s coming,” Anna says.

I sit a little taller and pull my robe closer together, the same one that I’ve been lounging in since I came back to my apartment. “I don’t want to see him, Anna. I can’t. Which is why I sent you to get my stuff.”

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