Page 54 of Fated to the Hunters
“Wimps,” Ezra mumbled from afar.
Mateo whipped his hand up and Scarlett assumed it was to toss an obscene gesture Ezra’s way—she couldn’t actually see. Once the onions were in the pan and the evil remnants in a sealed container, she washed her hands, watching Mateo.
He was a fantastic cook, and she was actually looking forward to their market visit. They ate dinner on the couches again and Vince cleared away the dishes. Exhausted, the only thing Scarlett could do was retreat to her room for bed.
Chapter Twenty
Mateo
Mateo was making his shopping list the next morning when Scarlett came down the stairs. She was wearing leggings and a hoodie, looking comfortable but seeming anything but.
“What happened, love?” he asked, setting the pen and paper aside.
“I don’t have appropriate clothes for the market.”
Mateo’s heart sank. Of course she might have certain expectations for leaving the house. “We can stop at the store before heading to the market.”
“Do we have time?”
“Of course.”
As if her words had summoned him, Ezra came stalking down the stairs after her. “I’m coming too.”
“Ask Scarlett first,” Mateo suggested, turning back to his list.
“It’s not a question.”
“Fine, but if you make her feel uncomfortable you’ll wait in the car.”
“I’m not a fucking dog.”
“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
Half an hour later, Mateo opened the passenger door for Scarlett while Ezra walked around the hood to take the wheel. Vince watched from his workshop, showing no interest in putting his tools down.
“We’re going clothes shopping for Scarlett. Then we’ll head to the market.”
Vince nodded and then focused back on the project before him. Sitting in the back, Mateo watched as Scarlett took in her surroundings. The property was off the main road, hiding behind a wild landscape of tall evergreen trees. The dirt road used to be bumpier, but they’d flattened it out before having started the renovations on their house. Mateo had actually been surprised that Scarlett didn’t seem concerned about the place’s history.
A short drive later, Ezra parked in front of a small boutique, and Mateo helped Scarlett to her feet. Ezra rolled his eyes, but jealousy simmered beneath the surface. A saleswoman came to help them right away, so he forced Ezra to sit down and let Scarlett shop without either of them hovering over her.
After a while, she disappeared into the dressing room. Mateo took the opportunity to ask if it were possible for Scarlett to leave the store wearing one of the chosen outfits.
“Of course.”
Ezra took advantage of being left alone, tapping over the thin wooden door behind which Scarlett was changing. “Let me see, little princess.”
“Remember your manners, Ezra,” Mateo warned.
“Please, little princess. Let me see you in one of those pretty dresses.”
To Mateo’s surprise, Scarlett opened the door. She’d selected a soft, form-fitting purple dress that fell to the floor but showed the perfect amount of cleavage.
“What a pretty princess indeed,” Ezra hummed, pulling her hair over her shoulder.
Her eyes flickered to Mateo as if she needed his approval too. “You look gorgeous. How do you feel in it?”
“Good. It’s just a little long.”
