Page 63 of Shattered Secrets

Scarlet’s heart threatened to explode. Ohmygod, this man...

“Hi, Mama!” Daisy shouted with her arms outstretched and lips puckered.

Taking her daughter from Matt, she gave Daisy a noisy kiss.

Matt gestured across the room to where Flora and Xander stood. “I’m going to talk to Xander before we take off. I’ll be quick, though.”

“Take your time,” she replied, squeezing Daisy extra tight and inhaling her fruity scent. A lump formed in her throat. No one was going to hurt her little girl.

“Mama, you’re squishing me.”

“Sorry, baby,” she murmured, softening her hold. “We’re going to go home early today. We’ll make some dinner, and Matt was thinking of maybe doing another movie night.”

“Mmm-kay.” Daisy burrowed her face into Scarlet’s neck. “Do you think Matty will make me popcorn and M&M’s again?”

She ran her hand over her daughter’s hair. “I’m sure if you ask Matt nicely, he can put a small bowl together for you.”

Daisy sat up in her arms, and her bottom lip wobbled. “Asmallbowl?”

Her eyebrow arched. “A small bowl or no bowl at all.”

Daisy grinned before resting her head back on Scarlet’s shoulder. “Small bowl.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Scarlet plopped down on the sofa and let out a weary sigh.What a day.

After picking up Daisy, they’d swung into the grocery store to grab supplies for dinner. Matt had prepared grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, and steamed broccoli, and then he and Daisy had put together their popcorn-and-M&M mixture, set all her stuffies on the couch, and watchedKung Fu Pandatogether.

Scarlet had been more than happy to leave movie night to the duo since she’d seen the film nine million times. But rather than head to bed early, she’d busied herself cleaning the kitchen and folding laundry. Her reasoning had been that if she was going to drive herself crazy overanalyzing every little thing that had happened today, she might as well be productive while doing it.

Once the movie had ended, Daisy had gotten an extra-long bath and three stories. Now she was out cold in bed, surrounded by her array of beloved stuffies. And Scarlet was still unable to sleep, hence her plop on the sofa. Though she was utterly exhausted, her mind wouldn’t settle.

“It’s been quite the day. Can I get you a glass of wine or something?” Matt asked, sitting at the other end of the sofa, a lowball glass of amber liquid in his hand.

She gestured to her mug of tea on the end table. “I’m good, thanks. Did you like the movie?”

After taking a sip of his drink, he grinned. “You know, it was actually pretty good.”

“There’s like four of those movies, so be prepared.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Are you sure I can’t get you anything?”

She shook her head.

“You don’t drink much.”

To Scarlet, his words seemed more like an observation than a question. She shrugged. “Not really.”

“Any particular reason?”

He seemed genuinely curious. Not judgy. That’s the only reason she chose to answer. “For one, the cost. I mean, I could get a couple drinks at Monty’s, or I could use that money to buy Daisy a dress, a little toy, or a special treat.” She pulled her legs up to sit cross-legged, facing him. “But mostly because it’s just me.”

“What do you mean?”

She fiddled with a lock of her hair. “What if Daisy wakes up in the middle of the night with an emergency? If I’m wasted, I can’t drive her to the hospital. I’m a lightweight, so even a couple drinks would put me over the legal limit. I’d rather not take that risk. It isn’t worth it to me.”

“That’s admirable. Does it bother you that I drink?”

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