Page 86 of Mr. Red

“Oh, great. That’s the exact reaction I’m looking for.” She holds her head in her hands and lets out a big sigh. “I think my headache is back.”

“Scarlett, it’s going to be fine. I’m playing with you. My mom loves everyone. She’ll love you because—” I stop talking. I almost told her I love her, but it’s too soon. I flick my wrist and clear my throat. “She’s going to love you. I bet my mom will be trying to send out wedding invitations the moment you meet.”

“But you haven’t proposed.”

“Minor details to her. She’s excited for grandkids.”

“When I have kids, I want to be there for them. My mom left without a second thought. She taught me whatnotto do. I’d make sure to put them first.”

“I’d make sure you could be there for them as much as you wanted.” I can’t seem to keep my mouth shut. I flick my wrist and turn back towards the food. I don’t want to say anything else or show her my smile. Having kids with Scarlett is just the next step—when she’s ready. “I mean,ifwe had kids together. I think you’d be a great mom. You’d set a good example and I knowyou’d do anything for them.”

“Should we be getting families involved? I might hate Texas.”

“No one hates Texas.” I shake my head. “I want you to meet them.” I look her in the eyes.

She doesn’t need to know about my feelings. Yet.

“Only for you,” she responds in a whisper.

My shoulders relax and I get back to cooking. Now I have some planning for this weekend. It’s imperative everything goes smoothly. I can’t lose her.

Chapter 48

Scarlett

I wasn’t sick much longer. Matt asked me to take off one more day of work to make sure I was fully recovered. Maybe asked isn’t the way he put it—more of a demand, but it was a good idea. No one wants to be in close contact with someone who’s sick. The week has flown by. I’ve been jam-packed with work from when I called off, along with my normal tasks and the renovations.

Now, we’re in his plane on the way to Texas. I’m meeting his parents. No pressure.

I don’t need them to like me; sometimes you just don’t get along with people. It’s more like I’d be a disappointment to Matt if I’m not what his mom pictured. I want to be his number one, but it could be hard if his family doesn’t like me. He might value their opinion more than us as a couple.

I see a lot of alcohol in my foreseeable future.

I’m fidgeting and quiet in the cockpit next to the pilot’s seat. Matt is staring at me from the corner of his eye.

“Sweetheart, it’s going to be fine.” He puts his hand over my thigh.

I humph as a response, but my stoic guy doesn’t push it.

I find it very inconvenient how everything is cleaned already. I would be up dusting or vacuuming, but this plane is spotless. The workout I did this morning and the movingall day at work have had no effect in helping my anxiousness. We sit the rest of the plane ride in silence with me fidgeting my foot at a suspicious pace.

A couple hours later, we arrive in Texas. It’s the end of summer now, so I was thinking it wouldn’t be hot. Then we step off the plane to a sauna. It’s almost ten at night and I’m sweating through my shirt.

Why do people live here?I’m not sure how everyone hasn’t melted by now.

Matt takes us to a lifted diesel truck. My lips turn up at the sides, excited to see him drive this thing. Some people might say he has to make up for what’s in his pants, but I know he’s fine in that department.

“This one’s yours?” I point to the truck in question.

“Yeah, Grant did me a solid so I could take you home in it.”

Home?Does he seeusliving in his home? Otherwise, he would’ve said his house or his place. He said home. Like I’m living there. Do I like that idea?

“That was nice of him. You didn’t want to call for a car service?”

“I have to make sure my girl gets what she wants. She told me a guy in a truck is sexy, as I recall.”

He listens to everything. When he’s not listening, he’s observing everything. That’s new in my life and I love it.