Page 65 of Shadow's Surrender
Chapter Fourteen
“Ilove yourplace,” Kiara said as she looked around the room.
“Thanks,” Scarlett replied. “What I love the most about my condo, besides the fact that it’s all mine, is all the light.”
“I agree—the wall of windows is stunning.” Kiara picked up her glass and took a sip. “You make a mean sangria. It’s so perfect for such a hot day.” She groaned and fell back against the floral couch cushion. “When is it going to get cooler?”
“I know—too damn hot this summer. Thankfully, fall is not too far away.” Scarlett picked up her wineglass.
“Oh … isn’t that awful what happened to Warren? He looks terrible—like something out of a scary movie.”
Scarlett stiffened, then slowly put the glass back on the coffee table. “What happened to him?”
“How could you not know? When he was water-skiing last week, he fell in the lake and one of the skis landed right on his face.” Her friend visibly shivered. “Ouch—I can’t imagine how painful that must’ve been. I can’t believe he didn’t tell you. I bumped into him at the grocery store and he seemed embarrassed by the whole thing. Silly, huh?”
“Yeah,” Scarlett said as guilt wove through her.I wish Shadow would’ve let me handle the situation without resorting to using his fists on Warren’s face, but … Warrenwasbeing an ass, and Shadowdidwarn him.
“So I guess Warren’s been laying low since the accident.” Kiara picked up a piece of cheese, stacked it on a wheat cracker, then popped it into her mouth.
“I haven’t spoken to him in a while. We’re not with each other anymore.” Scarlett looked away to avoid seeing the pained look on her friend’s face.
“Oh, Scarlett. I wish you would reconsider. I thought you two made a great couple.”
“Appearances are deceiving.” She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. “I was never in love with him, and I doubt that he was in love with me. It seemed like we were together to please our parents and that never works out. Anyway, I’m seeing someone else.”
Kiara’s hand froze in midair. “Who?”
“You don’t know him,” she replied as she watched her friend stuff another cheese and cracker into her mouth. “My parents don’t know …yet.”
Kiara’s eyes twinkled. “He must be someone who’ll meet your parents disapproval. Tell me his name—I might know him.”
“Believe me—you don’t, and my parents are going to flip out.” Scarlett crossed her legs. “His name is Shadow—it’s sort of his nickname. I mean … his birth name is Steve, but he’s gone by Shadow ever since he was in high school.”
Her friend nodded before taking another drink of wine. “Okay—a bit strange, but okay. What does he do? Where did he go to college?”
Scarlett licked her lips. “He’s from here and he never went to college. He runs an online business and owns some storage rentals, and I met him at Brooke’s party.”
“When? I don’t remember you telling me about meeting someone that night. Wait … you were with Warren that night.” She laughed and shook her head. “You’re bad.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever see him again, but then he ended up being one of the guys working on the tennis house, and the rest is history.”
Kiara’s eyes widened. “You’re with one of the workers?” She clapped her hands. “Your parents are going to shit a brick. I have to hand it to you—when you fuck up, you go all out. Remember Marcello?”
“Yeah, but this is different—I’m older and I’m keeping my feelings in check with Shadow.”I’m such a liar.
“And how doesShadow—it sounds so weird to call someone that—feel about you?”
Scarlett picked up her glass, leaned back in the cushy chair, and took a drink. “I know he likes me a lot, but I also know he’s confused and scared shitless about his feelings for me.”
“That sounds promising.” Kiara smiled.
“It is, because he’s done things with me that he’s never done with any other woman. He’s taken me to places that are special to him and shared them with me. We go out to dinner, we went to a movie the other night, we watch the stars, swim in the lake, and go on long rides on his motorcycle.”
“Youon a motorcycle? I can’t believe it.”
“The first time I climbed on behind him, I wondered if I was insane, and now I can’t imagine not riding. It’s so much fun—so freeing and exhilarating. And the best part of all is that I get to hold him tight.”
After a short pause, Kiara slumped back. “You’ve fallen for him.” She put her hand up, cutting Scarlett’s protestations off. “Don’t deny it … not to me. I know you, remember?”
