Page 80 of Shadow's Surrender
“Dad’s at the club too?” Her mouth went dry and her stomach clenched.
“Yes, he’s meeting Bruce and Alan to play golf. He’ll be here in a minute.” Her mother smiled at the waiter when he placed the drink in front of her.
“Are you ready to order?” he asked.
Pamela glanced over at Scarlett and she nodded.
“I’ll have the shrimp cocktail,” she said, even though her appetite had disappeared. How she wished she were back at the warehouse with Shadow. She had to admit it was a real turn-on watching him at work. He was so in charge, so confident, so sexy.I’m proud of him for being an entrepreneur.But of course, it fit his personality. The way she figured it: Shadow was better on his own because the rebel in him wouldn’t make it one day with an employer calling all the shots.
“Scarlett, are you listening to me?” Irritation tinged her mother’s voice.
“Oh, sorry, I was thinking about something. What did you say?”
Her mother looked pointedly at her. “Something orsomeone?”
Here we go …“What were you talking about?”
“I was asking if you’ve seen Warren. His dad said he’s here with some friends having lunch.” Pamela looked around the room. “He must be eating at the Cabana Café.”
Scarlett picked up the bread basket in the middle of the table. “Do you want a piece?”
“No, and you shouldn’t either—all those empty carbs go straight to a woman’s stomach or hips, or in the case of Adele Semper—her belly and behind.”
Choosing the largest slice, she put it on her bread dish, then slathered butter all over it before taking a large bite. “I didn’t see Warren and I don’t care if I do. I’ve told you that I’m not seeing him anymore.”
“We’ll talk about that when your father gets here.”
“It doesn’t matter if Dad is here or not, I’m never going back to Warren. Let’s just talk about the elephant in the room—Shadow. I’m dating him and have no intention of stopping.” Scarlett took another bite of her bread.
Her mother took several large gulps of her drink, then leaned forward in the chair, her eyes narrowed. “You willnotdisgrace your family this way. You will not humiliate your fatherorme by your selfish and childish behavior,” she said in a voice that could cut glass.
“You act like I’m doing all this on purpose, Mom. I’m in love with Shadow—it’s that simple.”
Pamela clenched her hands into fists. “Of course a spoiled brat would think it’s so simple. For once in your life, think about someone other than yourself.”
“I’ve been thinking about the family my whole life,” Scarlett said, her voice rising. A few people glanced over at the table, and she took a deep breath and exhaled. “I went to the schools you and Dad wanted, came back to Pinewood Springs after college even though I wanted to live in Boston, played the good daughter for all the charitable fundraisers you roped me into,anddated Warren for much longer than I wanted to because of you and Dad. AndI’mthe selfish one?” She tossed her head back and let out a dry laugh. “I’ve decided to livemylife, Mom.”
“Are you finished?” her mother asked. “Your gang member boyfriend has already begun influencing you in a bad way.” Pamela rested against the chair. “It’s really not very becoming, Scarlett. Not. At. All.”
“Shrimp cocktail?” the waiter asked, his eyes avoiding both of them.
“For me, thank you,” Scarlett said.
“And the Brie en Croute is for you,” he said placing the dish in front of her mother. “Would either of you like another drink?”
Scarlett shook her head while her mother nodded hers.
“Another Arnold Palmer coming up with a shot of gin,” he said.
“Make it a double shot,” her mother said as she picked up her fork and knife.
The server bowed his head then walked away.
Before she could squeeze the wedge of lemon over the shrimp, Scarlett’s phone vibrated in her pocket. After fishing it out, she glanced at the screen and a small thrill of pleasure coursed through her.Shadow.
Shadow:Hey, babe. How’s it going?
Scarlett:Like most of my times with my mom—crappy. She says ur a bad influence on me.
