Page 13 of His to Keep
“We do private security—events, protection detail, and more.”
My lips lift into a grin. This gig sounds right up my alley. Maybe things are looking up, after all.
FIVE
SCARLET
“You’re sure about this, right?”I squeak the words out around the ball of apprehension lodged in my throat.
Getting our nails done today was her idea, but I can’t help but worry we’re returning to scene of the crime—well, the scene before it, anyway—too quickly. I even suggested trying a new salon, but she insisted we come here… something about facing her fears head on.
“Yes, Scarlet,” Nora says, her tone the perfect blend of exasperated and understanding. “I’m sure.”
“Okay.” I drum my nails against my thighs. “Okay. Great. If you’re, like,supersure…”
“Scarlet, babe.” Nora reaches across the center console and places her hand over mine. “You have to stop. I refuse to let…” She stops and sucks in a deep breath before slowly blowing it out. “…Rand’s actions control me. Despite all of the horrible things he did to me, I have a beautiful life, a perfect son, and in a few months, I’ll be walking down the aisle to the man of my dreams. So, if I can move forward, you can, too.”
I run a hand through my hair and slump back against my seat. “I know you’re right. Truly, I do. But it’s hard to feel the same way when—” I cut myself off before I can remind her thather husband-to-be and his best friend both hold me responsible for what happened to her. “Okay, no, you’re right.” I shut off my car, and we exit simultaneously, heading straight for the salon. “First up, mani-pedis. Then lunch. And after that?—”
“After that I was thinking we could look for shoes.” Nora has this adorably hopeful look on her face, as if I’d ever turn down shopping. “I need something pretty but also practical so I don’t trip down the aisle.”
“Consider it done.”
She smiles gratefully as she pulls the door open, holding it for me.
“So,” I turn to Nora once we’re settled into our pedicure chairs. “What sounds good for lunch?”
“Not barbecue,” she mutters, causing me to gasp.
“Oh. My. God. You did not just say that.” It’s beenmore than a yearbut every time I think about getting The Smoke Shack, memories of returning to my car to find Nora’s door ajar and her nowhere in sight, I want to puke. “Have you been back?”
“Nope. Probably never will, if I’m being honest.”
I want to reach out and grab her hand, to offer her comfort like she did me, but I know she doesn’t like being touched unexpectedly, so I stifle the urge. “Me neither.”
She hums contemplatively, letting the subject drop as she reclines back into her seat. “Any ideas?”
Truth be told, I couldn’t care less what we eat. She could tell me she’s on a raw kale diet, and I’d slap on a bib and sayyum, sounds great.
After everything went to hell in a handbasket thanks to Atlas’s POS dad on our first—and only, until now—girls’ day, I figured Atlas would chain her to his side before letting her out of his sight, much less with me.
In all honesty, I wouldn't blame her for never wanting to go anywhere with me again. Nora might not blame me like Atlasand Ellis, but deep down, I know if I hadn’t left her alone—no, Scarlet, stop it. Today is a good day. Focus on the now.
Plus, I should have known Nora would be down. She’s stronger than her trauma and is determined not to let it—or her overbearing beast of a fiancé—hold her back.
“I’m just happy you’re here,” I tell her, honestly. “Happy we’re friends. That you asked me to be your maid of honor.”
“Oh my god,” Nora laughs. “When did you turn into such a sap?”
“You hush,” I warn, even though we both know I’m all talk. “Seriously though, lunch.”
I am firmly leaving the ball in her court, because the last thing I want to do is push her too far out of her comfort zone.
Today is supposed to be happy and stress-free. God knows if it isn’t, Atlas might actually kill me.
“You know…” she murmurs, fidgeting with the bottle of glittery champagne nail polish. “A sandwich sounds really good.”
“I know just the place.” I grab my phone and look up Maryanne’s, my favorite deli. “I just sent you their website.”
