Page 76 of Finally Moore
When she looks up at me, her eyes are dead. “Here.” She hands me the ring. “I don’t think it’s appropriate I keep this any longer since our arrangement is done.”
“Done? I thought—”
“Scott, let’s be honest with each other. Sure, we had some fun but it was just pretend. Now we don’t need to fake it anymore.”
“I wasn’t faking—”
“Look, I need to get back to the inn. I have a plumber coming by and need to get on the phone with the insurance company. I have a lot to deal with. Feel free to leave your key on the coffee table when you grab your stuff. I’ll see you around.”
“Scarlett.” I try to reach out to her again, but she distances herself more.
“Goodbye.”
This time I don’t stop her as she turns and walks away while I stand there, stunned, until my fingers go numb. I’m not sure how long I wait, hoping she turns the corner. But when the snow starts to fall, I spin on my heel and return to the shop. I enter through the bookstore since that door is closer.
“Hey, Scott,” Tilly says. “Hey… are you okay?”
I set the ring in front of her on the counter. “Here. Thought you might want this back.”
Tilly grips my wrist as I walk away. “Scott, what happened?”
“What do you think happened? It’s over.”
“Are you sure?”
“There are only so many ways for her to say it.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry. I really thought…” Tilly trails off. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Come to Chicago with me?”
“Of course.” She gives me a sympathetic smile.
“Thanks, but, uh, I have to get back to work.”
“Scott,” she calls out again.
“Yeah?”
“I really am sorry.” Tilly sighs, and I don’t reply. Because there isn’t anything more to say other thanyou thought wrong, and I honestly don’t have the energy right now.
Chapter thirty-two
Scarlett
Ifeellikesuchan outsider as I sit with a group of women I’ve grown to consider friends, who for the past year I’ve been meeting with on a monthly basis. It used to be weekly but after the twins, Tilly cut things back. You’d think I’d be excited to discuss one of my most favorite things in the world: romance books. Without shame or embarrassment, I’ve been able to recommend some pretty smutty and morally gray stories, talk about them openly, and for the first time in my life, not feel like I need to hide.
Tonight, though, it feels like I’m a stranger. Not that anyone has been rude or mean. But the atmosphere feels different. Cassie isn’t here, which bookwise we’ve become kindred spirits. Tilly said hi, has been polite, but has otherwise seemed distant. However, the most noticeable thing missing is Scott. Not that he joined our group, but he was always clunking around in the café and keeping up on our refreshments.
Is he not here because of me?
Duh, that’s a dumb question. He’s probably out withAmanda.
“Okay, can we start with the cover?” Patty kicks off the conversation. “Meow. I want a copy of this where the title has been removed and it shows me the goods.”
“Of course, you would,” Michelle teases. She still tries to play the conservative hard-ass, but this past year she’s let her freak flag fly. Even suggesting a few questionable books herself.
“It makes me wish that some old crush of mine would have a major glow up and we’d get snowed in together because, seriously, Quinn and Mason were beyond hot.” Mandy sighs wistfully.