Page 18 of Trash the Dress

He turns to Brittney and winks. “Trust me, I know I’m a blessed man.”

The little pink bundle he’s holding starts to cry and I take that as my cue to head out. “I’ll go and let you have some bonding time. I know your parents and Wren will be back anytime to steal more baby love. And I know Bree and Dean will probably be swinging by too,” I say to Hawk as he handshis daughter to Brittney. Bree is Brittney’s best friend and Dean Warren is her husband. Their daughter, Andie, is almost a year old.

Hawk walks over and shakes my hand. “Thanks, man. You know you’re family to her with how little she sees her own. And if you’re her family, you’re mine too. And you know she’ll hold you to that burger she wants tomorrow and the milkshake your dad makes her.”

I chuckle. “It’ll be here, I promise. And you’re all family to me too.”

“Are y’all being all mushy with your bromance you think I don’t know about again?” Brittney asks from the bed.

“You can have him back,” I tell her. “I’ll see you tomorrow with your goodies.”

I step into the hall and make my way to the elevators. I reach the ground floor and start to walk by the emergency room halls and notice two women come out of a room together. One looks familiar, just like…Scarlett.

I pick up my pace and catch up to them. I notice Scarlett must’ve been the patient because she’s wearing hospital bracelets. “Scarlett?” I say when I reach them.

She freezes mid-step and turns to face me. She’s pale, but otherwise she looks exactly how I remember her. I just painted those blue eyes earlier today. But instead of the vibrant look she had before, her eyes now reflect something else…fear maybe?

“Zander. How are you?” she asks tightly. Her friend is holding on to her arm and her eyes widen in recognition. I think she was a bridesmaid that day.

“I’m good. Are you okay? You’re wearing hospital bracelets,” I say, pointing out the obvious.

“I um, I got a bad case of food poisoning,” she says nervously, her eyes darting to her friend.

My brows slam together. “Here in Greendale Valley?” I ask suspiciously.

“Yep. I had a lunch meeting yesterday with some of my clients and decided to stay at the little B and B on Second Street. I planned on exploring a little, but then I got sick, so here I am.”

“Uh-huh. I’m sorry that happened. Can I help you to the car?” I ask, unsure what to say next.

“You go ahead. Anna’s got me. I appreciate it though,” she says quickly as if she can’t wait to get away from me.

I wondered how it would feel to see her again, but this is just plain weird. Maybe my little glimpse of sunshine with her was a front. This is exactly why I don’t trust women. Any broken piece that’s left of my cold heart is carefully guarded.

“Okay, then, I hope you feel better. You know where to find me if you ever want those pictures,” I add.

“I do.” She looks flustered and shakes her head before adding, “I mean, I will. I’ll be in touch soon.”

I simply nod and walk out of the exit feeling strange about the entire interaction. Oh well, it doesn’t matter anyway. Just like the sun set on our evening together, it’s set on any further exchanges too.

After she collects her pictures, we’ll have no need to speak again. And I’ll file her away in my memories. Good memories, but a memory, nonetheless.

Scarlett

I toldAnna I didn’t want to talk about him until I ate. My time is up. We just finished eating and we’re both under the coverswatching TV like we used to do in high school. I feel her staring at me.

“What, Anna?” I say after I huff out a breath.

“You should’ve told him. That was totally destiny. That was more than a wink, that was a full-on shove,” she says, exasperated.

“I think I’m gonna be sick again,” I tell her.

“Do you still have the garbage can over there?” she asks while lifting up to check on me.

“Yes. I don’t mean in the literal sense as in this moment. But the thought of telling Zander our one no-strings night turned into you’re kinda stuck with me forever…that makes me queasy. What if he blames me? What if he hates me? What if he really wants nothing to do with this baby?” I rush out all at once.

Anna sits up. “Breathe, Scarlett. Getting all worked up isn’t good for you or the baby. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to push you or lay a guilt trip on you. I just can’t stand secrets. You know that.”

“I know. I don’t like them either. But standing there in the hospital while I’m still processing the news myself didn’t feel like the right time to tell him he’s going to be a dad,” I say.

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