Page 36 of Finally Moore
“Mom, this is too much and I’ll never have an occasion to wear any of it.”
“Hush. I’ve come to realize that you don’t always have to shop with a particular event in mind. Sometimes, you just need to buy the dress and the right occasion to wear it finds you.” Mom frowns for only a second before plastering on a smile. “Besides, it’s Christmas. If there was ever a reason for me to splurge on my daughter, this is it.”
It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve had the urge to show my mother any sort of affection. But right now, I find myself wrapping my arms around her shoulders and hugging her. It’s obvious the gesture is foreign to her as well, as it takes her a moment to reciprocate. But when she does, she squeezes me tightly.
Chapter fifteen
Scott
MydaywithScarletthas been a roller coaster of emotions, and I’m not sure if we’ve gotten off the ride yet. One moment, we’re kissing, the next having lunch and pretending it didn’t happen, then we’re shopping. I’m not sure what happened in that dress store when I slipped away to find Tilly a last-minute Christmas gift. But her mood has shifted ever since we stepped back out onto the sidewalk to make our way down Main Street.
She’s quieter, her prior enthusiasm about the upcoming holidays somehow soured. I’m guessing it has to do with her mother, but honestly I can’t say for sure. I’m starting to realize there’s a lot I don’t know about Scarlett Valentine. More than that, there’s a lot I want to know…
“What’s the plan for the rest of the night?” I ask, hoping to break the awkward silence.
Maybe it’s me? Maybe I’ve upset her somehow?
“Oh…” Scarlett says, then appears to consider her options for a second. “Nothing. We get to relax. Or, I mean, if you have stuff to do…”
“Today’s Wednesday, right?”
She glances at her phone. “Yup, why?”
I smile as an idea takes shape in my head. “Are you up for going out?”
“Out?” She scrunches her brows together. “With my family?”
“No, just us.” This finally has her smiling again.
Okay, maybe it’s not me.
“What do you have in mind?” she asks.
“It’s a surprise,” I tell her. I’m not sure what’s wrong, but I know one thing that helps me whenever I’m having a less-than-fantastic day.
“Really?” Scarlett questions as she looks up at the glowing sign looming above us like an oasis in the desert. Clearly she doesn’t see it the same way I do.
“What? You don’t like bowling?” I ask, honestly shocked by the idea.
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never…bowled.”
“Even better. Come on.” I exit the vehicle, walk around the front of the truck, and let her out on the passenger side. She places her hand in mine as I help her down. “I promise you’re going to have fun.”
“Okay,” she agrees but I can tell she doesn’t exactly mean it.
The moment we enter the old alley, we’re greeted by the sound of clacking pins, arcade music, and endless chatter. This place is packed, but lucky for me, it’s Wednesday night, which means…
I glance around the open space until my eyes land on our usual spot, and sure enough, the guys are there. “Come on.” I tug Scarlett along to the front desk to get shoes. Then go to the lockers to grab my own footwear and ball.
“You really like bowling,” she says, as if it was some long-kept secret.
“Yeah, and trust me, after you try it, you’ll understand.”
“It’s really busy in here.”
“It usually is,” I tell her. There isn’t much to do around town, especially this time of year in the evenings, since most shops are closed. But not Tral Lake Lanes. It’s the best hangout spot for us locals. “Lucky for us, we have a standing reservation.”
“Us?” Just as she asks the question, a set of pins crashes in the distance and my little brother’s celebratory hollering can be heard from across the room. Scarlett’s gaze flicks to Jake before bouncing between a few other familiar faces. “Scott, I’m not sure about this. I don’t want to intrude…”