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Chapter Four
TEN YEARS AGO
——
“Westin, wait up!” Icall after him as he jogs through the thick woods of Auburn Park, the sweat rolling down his sculpted back catching little rays of sunlight that give his skin a sparkling effect.
We have visited the park several times before, but this time feels different somehow.
“Westin?” I yell through the thick trees, having lost sight of him.
Suddenly arms wrap around me from behind and I let out a little scream of surprise, laughing when Westin nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck and places a gentle kiss to my pounding pulse.
“That's not funny,” I whine, pulling his arms tighter around me. “One of these days you’re going to give me a heart attack.”
“Don't be over dramatic, Scar. You're sixteen. I hardly doubt a little scare is going to send you into cardiac arrest.” He lets out a whoosh of air when I lightly elbow him in the ribcage, freeing myself from his grasp.
I turn to face him, expecting to see the playful grin that he almost always wears. Instead, he’s staring at me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle and my heart feel like it’s beating somewhere in my stomach.
“Come here.” He tugs me to him, gently placing his lips to mine.
It's the most divine feeling in the world and I jump at the opportunity to deepen the kiss, even though Westin immediately hesitates.
“What?” I ask, my voice riddled with confusion as I pull back.
“Scarlett, I love you,” he says, gripping both of my hands in his.
“And I love you.”
“I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will always do everything in my power to do what's right by you. You know that, right?” His blue eyes burn so deeply into mine, I swear he can see directly into my soul.
“I know.”
——
“SCARLETT, ARE YOU UP?” My Aunt Kari's voice echoes around me, seeming to come from somewhere far away. “Scarlett.” I hear it again, watching my surroundings fade into nothingness.
I slowly peel my eyes open, not prepared for the bright sunlight pouring in from my window as it hits my sensitive eyes.
“Scarlett Elizabeth!” My gaze darts to the doorway of my bedroom. “Girl, do you have any idea what time it is?”
“No. And I don't care,” I whine, pulling a pillow over my face.
“Well you should care,” she scolds as I peel back the pillow and glance at the clock.
“Seriously, Kari! It's only six-thirty.” I grumble, trying to remember why I thought her having a key to my apartment was a good idea.
“Exactly. Which means you have less than eight hours to finish the lighthouse cake and have it delivered to town hall in time for the fall festival this afternoon,” she reminds me, laughing when she sees the realization hit my face.
“Shit. Shit. Shit.” I chant, quickly peeling myself out of the bed. I run to my closet, throwing open the door before yanking out a pair of faded jeans and a blue t-shirt withLayersprinted across the front. With everything going on with Westin, the fact that the fall festival is today somehow slipped my mind.
“You didn't seriously forget?” Kari laughs, watching me run a brush through my long hair, practically ripping half of it out trying to quickly get through the knots.
“I didn't forget.” I throw her a vicious glare. “Okay so maybe I did,” I admit, when she throws me a disbelieving look and her hands go to her hips. “But it's okay. I've got the base done and the layers. I just have to decorate it and attach the light. Shouldn't be too hard,” I say, completely aware that I’m trying to convince myself of this fact, because I know my words are bullshit the moment they leave my lips.
“Relax. I have Jules and Maria both working today. Jules can run the front while Maria keeps the stock well supplied, which means you can utilize me anyway you need.”
“Thank you.” I let out a loud exhale of air.
