“His financial advisor noticed a large withdrawal from my account and flagged it. Rafael asked me about it, and I told him I’d loaned money to a friend.” I let out a heavy exhale. “I should have pushed harder to keep it between us. I never thought he’d bring it up to you after all this time. Not like that.”
“That’s not all he brought up tonight.” She picks up her coffee cup, but doesn’t drink it. “He remembered me, Brendan. From the night of Carmen’s accident.”
I shake my head, not understanding. “Why should that matter now?”
She stares at the coffee. “Because he thinks the only reason I’m with you now is to secure the vendor contract.”
My hand tightens around the cup. “We both know that’s not true.”
“Not now, it isn’t.” She looks up at me and I can see how this is eating at her. “But thatishow it started, Brendan. I agreed to be your wedding date, hoping it could benefit me.”
“You were trying to help your family,” I correct her. “That’s not the same as using me for personal gain.”
“To him it is.” Her gaze darts away. “Dad asked me again tonight if the contract came through. He wants so badly for it to work out. He needs something to give him hope while he gets through this.”
“And you’re going to get the contract.” I lay a hand on her arm. “I know it.”
“The decision hasn’t been made yet.” She looks at her coffee again, like the weight of this decision issuffocating her.
I can’t stand seeing her upset like this. I take her coffee from her hands and put it on the table, then pull her into my arms, my lips brushing over the top of her head. “Hey, it’s going to be okay.” I stroke her hair lightly. “Whatever happens with the contract or our families, we’ll face this together.”
She leans into me, twisting the fabric of my shirt in her hand. “But what if he won’t believe you? What if no one from your family believes you? No matter how you try to explain it, they’ll always have their doubts about my motives.”
I tilt her face up, needing her to see the truth in my eyes. “Scarlett, I love you. And I don’t care if we’re alone against my family or the whole world, as long as we’re on the same side.”
She doesn’t say anything, just searches my face.
“I’m always on your side, Scarlett,” I tell her, meaning every word. “That won’t change. Whatever is best for you and your family—I will always stand behind you.”
She stares at me long and hard. “But what if the best thing—” She swallows. “—isn’t what you actually want?”
“Then I’ll accept that,” I say with finality. “Because I want what’s best for you. Always.” I press a kiss to her forehead.
For a moment she says nothing, just lets me hold her in the middle of an empty waiting room.
“Tell me something, Brendan.” Her voice is quieter now. “Will you still wear your heart pajamas while you’re away?”
I laugh softly. “Of course I will, even if the team never lets me hear the end of it. I’ll wear them every night just so I can think about you.”
“Good.” Her voice is muffled against my chest, her fingers tracing slow circles on the fabric of my shirt. “I want you to think of us when you’re away—how happy you make me. Because even if we’re not together…” Her fingers stop moving. “Istilllove you.”
We sit there for a long time, her body gradually relaxing in my arms. Her breathing evens out, before she falls asleep against my chest.
I shift slightly, making sure she’s comfortable, and settle in for the night.
I’ll stay here as long as she needs me, just to have the privilege of holding her before I leave for San Diego.
THIRTY-TWO
Brendan
“Marco, you with us?” Jakowski asks me in the locker room.
I’ve been staring at my clipboard for the last few minutes, replaying the conversation from last night with Scarlett. It’s all I can think about since we arrived in San Diego.
“Yeah. Sorry.” I shake my head, trying to focus. “Just running through the opponent’s defense strategy.”
He narrows his eyes before heading out the door.