“Last night. She was walking back to the stairs. I wanted to see her up close. I told her I was your little brother so she’d talk to me.”
I can only imagine how well that went over.
When I don’t reply, Bump’s face droops. “Did I do something wrong? Shouldn’t I have told her that?”
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Nothing bad happened.”
His smile comes back instantly. “Okay. I hope the pretty lady calls you. I like her. I should probably tell her I’m sorry I knocked her on the head and wrapped her up in that rug, huh?”
I unlock the truck. “Get in. Let’s get home so you’re ready to watch football this afternoon at the Quinterros’ with Big Mike.”
His face lights up at Q’s dad’s name, and all thoughts of Scarlett fly out of his head, which is exactly as it should be. I’m thinking about her enough for both of us.
What do I want from you, Scarlett? Where do I even begin?
* * *
I wait until I’m home and Bump is back in his apartment, getting ready for football, before I decide how to reply. I don’t want to scare her off before I get a chance to see her again.
Wait.I don’t?
No. I fucking don’t. I’m more attached to the idea of seeing Scarlett again than I should be, and I don’t care how bad of an idea that is anymore. I warned her. She didn’t listen.
Maybe I should walk away, but I don’t see that happening. How in the hell could I?
Legend: When’s the last time you let go and just had fun?
Her response comes a few minutes later.
Scarlett: Last night.
Legend: What about before that?
Scarlett: To be honest, I can’t remember. What about you? When’s the last time you just let go and had fun?
I didn’t expect her to turn the question around on me. I drop onto the couch and think back to last night. What happened on the dance floor was totally out of character. I shouldn’t have left my office at all, let alone gone to her and danced.
But in that moment, there was nothing I could have done to stay away, not even my sense of self-preservation, which is pretty fucking strong.
I answer her honestly.
Legend: Last night for me too.
Scarlett: We have something in common then. Imagine that. ;)
I stare down at the phone screen and read her words over and over. The statement should be false. We shouldn’t have a single thing in common ... except we do, and I can’t remember the last time I felt this kind of anticipation building in me.
I want to see her again. Dance with her. Watch her let go of her inhibitions and laugh and smile and ...
I’m totally fucked.
Completely. Totally. Fucked.
Even though I know I should block her number and never see her again, I tap out a reply.
Legend: Just wait. I can do even better than that.
Forty-Two