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“I used to,” Scarlett answers, still stroking the spines. “Reading by the pool at my parents’ place in the Hamptons used to be my favorite way to spend the summer. Now, if I get a minute to myself, I just want to nap.” Her hand falls to her stomach. Maybe it’s because I know about the pregnancy, but from the side it looks like a slight curve is beginning to appear.
“Parenting sounds like a blast.”
Scarlett smiles, turning toward my desk. “Quinnloveskids.”
“Subtle, Scarlett.”
“I didn’t know if I wanted kids, either. Then Lili was born, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it.”
“Just because you and Crew turned an arrangement into a fairytale, doesn’t mean that’s how Quinn and I will turn out. If we turn into anything. There’s still a lot I have to figure out.”
“Speaking of…how goes the divorce?”
I tense. Barely, but Scarlett’s sharp eyes don’t miss much. “Fine.”
Or itwouldbe going fine if I’d done anything about it. Instead, I’ve dragged my feet on having Jeremy file the petition for divorce.
I don’t want to be married to Hannah. But I don’tnotwant to be married to her, either.
I’ve become accustomed to the idea, I guess. Not marriage in general. But being attached to her, specifically? I don’t hate it.
This week I’ve been back in New York, I’ve battled the urge to call her dozens of times. I’ve started eating scrambled eggs in the morning, instead of oatmeal. The second I get home I change out of my suit. And every morning I’ve woken up with a painful erection that’s required me to use my hand and my imagination.
“She’s not causing problems?”
I shake my head. “No. Ha—” Her name gets caught in my throat. “Hannah’s cooperating.”
Scarlett nods once, quick and direct. “Good.”
There’s another knock on my door. Instead of telling them to enter, I walk over and open it. People love to gossip. And while plenty probably saw Scarlett walk here, I’m not interested in fanning the flames.
“Hey.” Crew’s hand is still raised when I open the door, his expression surprised by my sudden appearance.
He holds up a packet of papers. “Final contract on NetLife came in. It got sent to me…by accident?”
“Or Dad told them to send it to you.”
Crew’s brow crinkles. “Have you talked to him this week?”
“No. Not since he got back from Miami.”
Our usual Monday meeting was canceled, which was probably for the best. I was exhausted and confused, tangled up over the trip to Los Angeles.
I open the door wider. “Want to come in?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
Crew walks past me into my office. “Red?”
Scarlett turns from the window, where she was standing and staring at the skyline.
She smiles, and it’s one meant only for Crew as he walks over and kisses her soundly on the mouth. Tangible emotions swarm the air around them: love and happiness and a lightness that’s hard to explain. It’s nauseating to be around. And also kind of nice.
“What are you doing here?” Crew asks.
“I finished early, so I came to surprise you. I stopped to say hi to Oliver.”
Crew glances between me and Scarlett. He seems surprised—happy—to find me and his wife together, and it feeds the feeling of guilt in my stomach. Not only am I lying to Crew about Hannah, I also dragged Scarlett, Asher, and Jeremy into it. Not to mention, I’m blackmailing Asher with a secret Crew should know. Brother of the Year, I am not.
