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But Scarlett did have some points. I allowed myself to shut down from the world, and it was affecting Olivia. It was a miracle she was still a little ball of light, full of so much energy. Maybe I was the problem. I was the one keeping Olivia cooped up in that house.
Scarlett’s offer to have my baby surprised me, but that didn’t mean it was a bad idea. Olivia would be a lot less lonely with someone else closer to her age. Getting Scarlett pregnant could work. The thing was I didn’t want her hanging around. Once Scarlett had the baby, she’d have to leave. I wouldn’t make her go back to her dad, but she couldn’t stay with us. It felt like a good idea.
The only thing that worried me was whether or not Scarlett would agree to it. She seemed determined. It could have been because she had been gone for so long. I wouldn’t mind the occasional visit. She would be doing Olivia and me an enormous favor, but I’d make sure strict rules were established. It was the best outcome for us all.Chapter Seven - ScarlettNoah left to go on a hike. He really needed space. It was the second time he left me alone in the house. I knew he was going through his own thing, and I had to give him time to come around, but I was still feeling sad.
The note he left asked me to pick up Olivia. It would be nice to spend some time with her. My spirits were always lifted after playing with my niece. Even if Noah never wanted to be with me again, as long as I had Olivia in my life, I could be happy.
I went through a little routine, getting myself cleaned up and fed before jumping in my car. The drive over to Hope and Darren’s was a relaxing one. I let myself empty my mind. Fretting over Noah right now wasn’t going to do anything. He was on his hike, and while he was out there figuring himself out, I got to see my niece.
I pulled into Hope and Darren’s driveway. I rang the doorbell, and Hope answered.
“Scarlett! Oh, my God!” She wrapped her arms around me and brought me into a tight hug. “Darren told me you were back, and I meant to call.”
“No, no. Don’t worry about it. We were bound to see one another.” We broke apart, and Hope motioned for me to follow her inside.
“I was so sad when you left. It’s always fun having you around. You know Bryant still talks about your pizza. I tried making it, but he said it wasn’t the same.”
“Oh no, did he?”
“I’m telling you, Scarlett. These kids worship the ground you walk on.” Hope and I sat down on the couch. “How has it been, being back?”
“It’s been great. I really missed Olivia, so I’m happy to spend some time with her.”
“Is she the only one you’re happy to see?” Hope asked suggestively.
“I mean, I don’t know.” I got all embarrassed, covering my face with my hands.
When I started living with Noah and Olivia, Hope was someone I ended up confiding in a lot. She was a little older than me, but we just connected. We even kept in contact a little after I left.
“How is Noah doing?”
“The usual, you know. He asked me to leave the first night, but I said no.”
“Look at you, girl! Do you still wanna…?”
I felt myself blushing. “I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m in love with him. He’s still resistant to me even being there, though. We did… um, things happened last night.”
Her eyes went wide. “Things? What kind of things?”
“Things. I don’t know. Nice things. Sexy things,” I blushed. “But he freaked out this morning, and he’s on a hike clearing his mind.”
Hope nodded. “Sounds like Noah. Give him some time. I’m sure he’ll come around. And if he doesn’t, send him my way, and I’ll get his head on straight.”
Hope and I spent a couple more minutes talking, but then it was time to go. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Olivia so far, and I wanted the two of us to have one on one time.
I got Olivia, and we headed back home.
“How was the sleepover?” I asked when we got in the car.
“Fun! We had a tea party, and Bryant let me play with his Legos, and his mommy made us dumplings.”
“That does sound fun. Do you want to have fun with me today?”
“Mmhm. Is Daddy going to be there?”
“Maybe later. He went out, so it’ll just be the two of us for a little bit.”
Olivia didn’t seem upset. In fact, she looked a little excited. I was happy that someone in the house was visually happy to spend time with me.
