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“You’re moping.”
“I’m not. I’m fine.”
He wraps his arms around me, pulling my back to his front as “Night Changes” starts to play from the speaker. He forces the dishcloth from my hands and spins me. “You are.”
I turn in his arms and look up at him, finding a teasing smile on his lips. “I’m sorry I ate the last of your cheese. I’m going to make it up to you, Baby Lowell.”
I narrow my gaze on him. “How?”
I bite my lip as it threatens to curl.
Vinny stands with his hands on his hips, baffled by the giant block of raclette sitting on the kitchen island.
Lance
She did so fucking good.
Pride washes over me in waves as I step foot inside the tent.She’d kill me for calling it that.I’ve been here every night. Long after everyone’s left and she’s barely able to stand on her feet. I’ve seen her to bed, making sure she’s taken care of… and then I’ve carried on with anything she’s not got to that day. It’s different this time. More. As if that attentive unknown of getting to know someone is gone, and we’ve simply fallen back into a history book of our own.
I know how hot to run the bath.
I know that she hates pickles.
Loves cheese.
I know that on Sundays she’ll spend an hour, rain or shine, in her mother’s garden and that she doesn’t want to be bothered.
That she likes lemon in her water but not ice.
Reads vicariously. And it’s filth, pure filth.
That she can’t stand the covers twisting around her feet at night, but if they expose even a toe, she’ll know it.
And I know that she’ll walk this floor tonight with a smile, the epitome of understated elegance, and yet somewhere deep in that unbelievably beautiful soul, she’ll fracture.
She’ll smile, but it won’t be as easy as she makes this thing look.
I’ve seen what this night has done to her. Seen what it’s taken out of her. Seen how the pain blemishes her face at the mere mention of her brother’s name.
I kept away from her for too long. It’s not selfish to love Scarlet Lowell. Not when she deserves the world to fall at her feet for simply existing.
“Anyone see the girls?” Elliot asks, scanning the room.
We make our way to the bar, waiting, and it’s not until a little while later that the girls find us. Nina first, gravitating to Mason’s side as she carries Ellis. And then Megan, closely followed byher.
Myit girl.
Her eyes seek me out, nervous despite that smile I knew would be there. Worn with delicate precision.
She’s wearing a pale-lavender silk gown, the promise of the body beneath making my mouth water.
“Here she is.” I watch as Elliot pulls her under his arm. “The brains and beauty of the family.”
“I need a drink.” Her eyes scan the room beyond, and then she briefly relaxes. “I feel like if I stop, I’m going to fall asleep at this point.”
“Everything is perfect, Scarlet,” Charlie admires, earning a broad smile as he leans in to kiss her cheek.
I pick up the drink I ordered and hand it to her. My fingers brush hers, a soft intake of breath whooshing past her lips.
