Page 33 of More Trouble
9
Andre
We pulled up outside Scarlett’s apartment block and I switched off the engine. Pulling the keys from the ignition I prepared to get out.
“Andre, it’s been a long, stressful day. I just want to sleep and then get ready for Scarlett coming home,” said Willa. “We can talk some other time.”
“Please, Willa,” I begged.
“What do we need to talk about tonight?” Her hand hovered on the door handle and I could sense she was weakening.
“Scarlett’s going to be on bed rest for at least two weeks. We need a plan,” I stated. “I’m not letting her lose the baby too.”
Willa’s shoulders sagged. “You’re right. We do.” She heaved a deep sigh. “You should come in.”
Scarlett wasn’t the only thing I wanted to talk to her about. I needed to explain about Jessy. I needed to explain how much I’d missed her, how much I still wanted her.
It was strange being in the apartment without Scarlett. To buy myself some breathing time, I headed into the kitchen to get us something to drink. In the center of the refrigerator door, at eye level, was a note.
W, you never know when it’s over for real. Enjoy him. S xx
I stared at the words. Scarlett was giving her blessing, reminding us that things don’t last forever. I swallowed against the huge lump which suddenly appeared in my throat. Reaching past the note, I grabbed a bottle of white wine and poured us two large glasses.
When I went back into the living room, Willa was curled up at one end of the sofa. I passed her a glass and mirrored her position at the other end. It felt like old times, although back then it would have been milkshakes or smoothies instead of wine.
“Are you going to be able to stay here for the next couple of weeks?” I asked. There seemed little point in beating around the bush.
She twirled the stem of her glass around in her fingers, watching the wine slosh around. “I guess so. Tori’s more than capable of looking after the business for that long. I’d need to go back and get more stuff though.” She shot me a rueful smile. “I didn’t bring enough underwear for two weeks.”
“I don’t mind if you don’t wear any.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. This wasn’t how it was meant to go.
Luckily, Willa laughed. “I’m sure Scarlett will let me use her washing machine.”
“Seriously though, you’d stay for a while?” I paused. “Wouldn’t your boyfriend mind?” I knew I was pushing it, but I needed to know if there was competition.
Willa didn’t hesitate. “There isn’t a boyfriend. And of course, I would. Scarlett’s my best friend and she needs me.”
“She’s not the only one.”
Her head snapped up. “What did you say?”
Apparently, those words weren’t in my head. I’d spoken them aloud.
Clearly now was the time to move on from talking about Scarlett to talking about us. I’d maybe wanted her to have had a little more wine first though, she’d probably need it when I told her the truth.
“When you saw Jessy earlier, you were right. We do work together.” I spotted Willa tense. “We both started at the Cali Heights Country Club on Tuesday. I had no idea she was going to be working there and I was as shocked as you were when she turned up. I haven’t seen her since that spring break. Honestly, you have to believe me.”
Willa lifted her glass to her lips and drank a healthy amount of her wine. “I do believe you,” she said, quietly. “But I don’t know how to trust you. It doesn’t matter how much I still love you. Trust is the foundation that all relationships are built on.”
Had Willa said she still loved me?
Hastily, I gulped down my wine.
She went on. “I’ll forever worry that one day you’d come home and tell me you found someone else. Like last time.” Her head bowed as she placed her glass on the side table, avoiding my gaze.
I winced. “I deserve that. And I know I don’t deserve you, but damn if I don’t want you anyway.” Now was the time to lay my cards on the table.
“Andre, this isn’t the right time. Because of the situation that brought me back here, my emotions are all over the place. Finding out Scarlett is pregnant, losing Wes, seeing you again, seeing Maddox and Lyla together. It’s all too much.”
