Page 67 of Shadow's Surrender
“He’s an orphan?”
“He told me his parents are both dead. I know he doesn’t have good memories of his father, but he adored his mother. I can tell by the way he talks about her and the look he gets in his eyes—so full of love and adoration. What I’m not sure about is how they died. I’ve pieced together that he was younger when his dad died and in high school when he lost his mother. I wish he trusted me enough to share his past.”
“Maybe it’s too painful for him and he’d rather not talk about it,” her friend said.
“I know, but it’s eating at him, and I know he’d feel better if shared it with me.”
“Give him some time.”
Scarlett smiled. “You know me—I want everything right now.”
“Some things never change.” Her friend joked. “So when’s the dining room set coming in?”
“Not for another month. It’s all handcrafted so that in itself is definitely worth the wait.” Scarlett rose to her feet and collected the empty glasses. “Do you want some more sangria?”
“I’m good, thanks. Do you feel like going out to eat?”
“Totally. I haven’t finished unpacking the kitchen, and I’m not in the mood to cook. Where do you want to go? I’m up for everything but barbecue.”
“What about Little Pepina’s? I’m craving shrimp fettuccine Alfredo.”
“That does sound good—I’m in.”
Kiara stood up. “I’m going to freshen up.” She ambled toward the guest bathroom.
Scarlett went into the kitchen to put the cheese and crackers away and wash the glasses. As she was drying them, her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi, darlin’.”
Her insides fluttered, the butterflies loose and twirling by just the sound of his voice.
“Hey,” she replied.
“Whatcha up to?”
“Kiara is here and we’re going to Little Pepina’s for dinner. What about you?”
“Not much—just got back from a ride with Smokey and some other brothers.”
“Where did you guys go?”
“Ghost Pass. We had some chow at the roadhouse on the top of the mountain.”
Shivers ran up her back as she listened to him talk.I don’t think I’d recover if he broke my heart.“You’ll have to take me there.”
“We’ll go, but it’s a hairpin ride for sure. We can take the highway, but then, that’s no fun.” His soft, deep chuckle hit her right between the legs, and she bit the left corner of her lower lip as she shifted from one foot to the other.
“Are you ready? I’m starving,” Kiara said as she walked into the family room.
Holding her finger up, Scarlett mouthed, “One minute.”
“What time are you gonna be home?” he asked.
“In about three hours—we like to talk.” She giggled.
“I’ll be waiting for you in front of your building. You’ve been on my mind all day, baby.”
