Page 25 of Shattered Secrets

Poppy’s mouth went slack, and her cheeks pinked. “Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie. I know... I didn’t mean to imply...”

“I know.” She playfully elbowed her friend. The last thing she wanted was to make Poppy feel bad. “Look, when I’m not working, I’m with Daisy.” She shrugged. “That’s how it should be. Dating is just not something I’m interested in right now.” Or ever.

Even before he’d called her a kid, Scarlet had harbored no interest in going on an actual date with Matt Alvarez. Not that she had anything against the guy. It was a clear case of it’s-not-you-it’s-me.

Her mind flashed to the one and only date she’d ever been on. It had taken place a few months before she’d moved to Hudson Island. She’d been working at a diner in Arizona and one of her regulars, Aaron, had been persistent in asking her out. She had always declined. Until that last time, when herco-worker, who was friends with the guy, had overheard and volunteered to watch Daisy for free. Being put on the spot, she’d relented. Not her finest moment.

As Scarlet had gotten ready, she’d been so damn nervous. She’d never gone on a date. There’d never been any need. In her old life—before Arizona and all the secrecy—she’d been a permanent fixture of the local motorcycle club. Because she’d been there so long, the guys hadn’t wanted to waste their money on taking her out. And yeah, that was a direct quote.

Aaron had picked her up right on time. She’d thought they were going to a restaurant, so when he’d pulled up to a Burger King drive-through and told her they could just eat back at his place and hang out, unease had crawled up her spine. For good reason. The minute she’d walked through his apartment door, he’d pounced.

Scarlet shook her head in an attempt to clear the memory from her brain. It didn’t work. Her stomach soured, and the chocolate torte in her belly threatened to come back up.

She had fought Aaron with everything she’d had and managed to get away. By the time she’d made it home, she’d sported a raging black eye and blisters on her feet. So yeah. She wasn’t rushing to go on any dates. Like ever again.

Slinging an arm around Poppy’s shoulders, she squeezed and said, “I’m happy you’re happy, girl, but you don’t need to play matchmaker. Let the gossip train ladies do that. After all, I’m well-versed at avoiding their meddling.”

“Fine.” Poppy heaved a dramatic sigh that had Scarlet’s lips twitching. “But, Scar, you’re so amazing, and Daisy is so fun. I just want you to be happy, too.”

“I am. I promise.” An image of Daisy from that morning flashed in her mind, and her heart squeezed. “My little girl is everything to me. I just want to focus on her. Give her a good life, you know? Like you did with the twins.” More than anything,she wanted to provide her daughter with the kind of life that she’d wished for growing up. One that had nothing to do with possessions and everything to do with love and security.

“I do, sweetie. You know I do.” Poppy reached out and held her hand. “As someone who’s been in similar shoes, believe me when I say that you’re doing an amazing job with Daisy. But don’t forget...youdeserve some happiness and fun, too.”

Scarlet didn’t, but she smiled at her friend, anyway. “Maybe when Daisy’s a little older.”

Poppy blew out another exasperated big-sister sigh. “That wasn’t a flat-out no, so I guess it will do.”

As Scarlet smiled at her friend, the alarm on her phone sounded. “That’s my fifteen-minute warning,” she said, snoozing the alarm. She placed enough cash down to cover her meal and a generous tip, then hopped off the barstool. “I have to go pick up Daisy.”

Poppy stood as well and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so glad we ran into each other tonight, Scar.”

“Me too,” she said, returning the hug. “I’m gonna miss you, but have so much fun!”

Poppy held her at arm’s length. “Now, I’m not playing matchmaker, but make sure you get Daisy out to visit the cats with”—she nodded to the guys’ table—“you know who.” Scarlet arched an eyebrow, and Poppy’s eyes widened in mock innocence. “What? It’s for Daisy’s sake, not yours.”

“Riiight.” Rolling her eyes, she hip-checked her friend. “Text me when you get back.”

Scarlet called goodbye to Four as she made her way out, then waved to Cade at the table of guys. Her breath caught when Matt shot to his feet and rushed her way.

“Hey,” he said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I wanted to apologize again for making things awkward earlier.”

“You’re totally fine,” she said, unable to meet his eyes.

“How about I give you a call this weekend?”

Her heart knocked hard in her chest, and her gaze swung to his.Holy shit, what?

“If you guys are free—um, you and Daisy, that is—we can bring her to visit the cats. I’m sure they’d enjoy her company more than mine.”

Right. Daisy. Cats. Just like Poppy had said.

Her alarm sounded again, and she’d never been more thankful for an interruption. “I have to go get Daisy,” she said, shutting off the alarm and shoving her phone into her back pocket. She looked up at him. “But I’m sure she’d love that. We’re pretty open on the weekend, so feel free to text me some times that work for you.”

She wanted to pat herself on the back. Her reply had been nice and nonchalant.Like I’ve got my shit together.

“Great. I’ll talk to you later, then.” Matt gave her a smile that had her stomach doing stupid things.

“Great, see ya!” She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from cringing.A little bit too enthusiastic there...

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