Page 79 of Mr. Red

Matt shakes his head. “No, this place is on the modern side. Texas is spacious and homey.”

“Thisisspacious! How have you been okay staying at my place?”

“Your place is cozy.”

I’m thinking cozy is code for crappy.

He opens the door to the foyer with a modern chandelier, a cement staircase with a glass railing, and wooden floors. In the center of the foyer is a glass table with a huge model sailboat. The space is warm and inviting but very masculine. It reminds me of a bachelor pad.

And there’s the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach again. The expectation I should move to Texas. The gym is keeping my mind occupied. I can’t imagine leaving the state right now.

I’m hoping he’ll change his mind and decide to stay. He already has a house. Surely, he could come back every now and then, at the very least. We could make it work. I can plan when I go to Texas and when he comes to stay here. It could work until I figure out what I’m going to do with the gym.

What did I get myself into?

We walk further to a living room lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a circular breakfast nook, and beyond that is a kitchen with wood cabinets and black stone countertops and backsplash. Then I see the most gorgeous view of the lake, trees, and sunset. I’m so distracted, I don’t see someone sitting in the nook.

“Hi.” A small voice catches my attention.

My eyes dart to Matt’s sister who is waving with a shy smile. She must’ve gotten the memo about being Miss America. Her long, blonde hair is styled, her makeup looks professionally done, and she’s wearing a green dress making her eyes stand out. She has the same eyes as Matt, which seems to be their only similarity. Although beautiful, she looks drained.

“Hi!” I exclaim. “I’m so sorry! This place is so beautiful I got swept up in the scenery.”

“Bless your heart.” Matt winces next to me, but I don’t know why. “I felt the same way when I showed up. I’m Danielle.” She gets up from the table, gliding over to me, and shakes my hand.

“I’m Scarlett. I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Likewise. That on its own is something. My brother never brings girls around. Or talks about girls. With me at least.”

I’ve turned a bright shade of red. “Yeah, I bet he didn’t show you around town yet. We’ll have to have some girl time!” I wink.

“Yeah, sounds fun.”

“Maybe this weekend?” I fidget my hands. “Matt thinks he’s the planner around here, but I have plans of my own for us this weekend. It’s going to be fun, and I would love if you could join us!”

Matt is looking at me like I have a hundred heads. Payback is coming up, bucko. Get used to it.

I smile at him and stand tall. I’m proud of myself. I’ve been thinking about what to do since San Diego. I made the reservations today, so I’ll just add in my friends and we should be good to go. Hanging with Matt, Danielle, and the girls—perfect.

“I love the look on his face!” Danielle chuckles. “Anyone who can take him out of his comfort zone is my hero! Thank goodness he found you.”

I’m not sure what to say. I give a shy smile.

Matt breaks up the chitter chatter. “I’ll show you the grounds. See you later, Dani.”

I wave to her and then follow Matt through one of the glass doors. The evergreens and hedges have made it back here. There’s a pool, a rectangular firepit area, trees for days, and a pathway I’m guessing leads to the lake. There’s also a hot tub.

I follow Matt down the cement steps that blend into a dirt path. He keeps hold of my hand the entire way. Just as I thought, the path leads to the lake. He stops at a floating dock; I go to the end of it and put my feet in the water, dangling them over. I can’t believe he bought this house to live here for just a few months.

He comes and sits next to me a few moments later. We stare out over the still water with reflections of trees and clouds. Matt doesn’t say much. These times where it’s silent make me wish I knew what he was thinking.

I break the silence first. “Are you quiet all the time for a reason?”

He seems a little taken aback by my question. “Sometimes not talking is all there is to say.”

“Oh, great. Confucius came to the lake with us.”

He gives me a small laugh and shakes his head from side to side. I see him adjust his watch, even though it didn’tneed adjusting.

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