Page 42 of Saving the CEO

“Devin, I’m not breaking up with you. But I need time to process everything that’s happened. Please give me a few days. I’ll call you when I’m ready to talk.”

Scarlett then left the room, taking all the warmth and hope with her, and leaving Devin to wonder when he’d see her again.

CHAPTER22

Scarlett

Had she made the same mistake again? Did she fall for a guy who was just using her to advance his career? Scarlett couldn’t shake the weariness weighing on her heart as she questioned everything she knew about Devin. Or everything she thought she knew about him. What and who was she supposed to believe?

Five days had passed since she’d told Devin she needed time. She’d kept herself busy with narrating, volunteering, and whatever else she could do that would prevent her mind from spiraling. Devin had been right; once she allowed herself to doubt, that’s all she could focus on.

But how could she stop doubting?

Usually in times like this when she was confused or unsure, she’d go to her sisters for advice. Amber, as direct as she was, always had something logical to say. Capri had a soft heart and tried to think the best of people. Emerald was generous with her hugs and a listening ear. Her sisters were her sounding boards and voices of reason. But she didn’t want to bring another mess to them that they needed to fix. She’d caused enough trouble already.

Instead, she’d brought them lunch from their favorite salad and sandwich shop, along with homemade cookies and a heartfelt apology. Now all she needed to do was work up enough courage to open the door to Party of Two.

God, please help me patch things up with them.

After her prayer, Scarlett stepped inside, buoyed by a cool gust of wind that blew the door wide open. It ruffled the hem of her long gray cardigan that she wore over a pair of jeans. Her hands full, she looked up in relief to see Emerald rush over to help her close the door.

“Red! You got us lunch? You’re the best!”

Not more than five seconds later, both Amber and Capri emerged from their individual offices.

“Do I smell snickerdoodles?” Capri exclaimed. “This all looks so good. Thanks, Red!”

“Yes, thank you, sis.” Amber greeted her with a genuine smile. “This saves us a lot of time. We still have so much to do with our hair and makeup and tidying this place up.”

“You guys aren’t mad at me?” Scarlett blinked in surprise at their friendly greeting. “Wait, what do you mean, ‘hair and makeup’? What’s going on?”

“For our interview. The news crew will be here in an hour,” Capri said in between bites of her sandwich. “Didn’t Devin tell you?”

Scarlett shrugged, then took a seat beside Emerald on the loveseat by the wall. “He didn’t mention it. Is this related to the news article? Wouldn’t an interview be giving more negative press for Party of Two?”

Amber shook her head. “No, this is a good thing. KRON’s coming to do a special segment on matchmaking for the holidays. I thought you were the one who gave him the idea. When he stopped by last week, he said he came on behalf of the two of you. You really had no idea about this?”

“He said he had something in the works to help the business out, but I didn’t know what it was.”

“You found a good one, Red.” Capri grinned with approval. “It’s clear that he loves you. He came in here like a man on a mission and blew us all away with a speech about how you changed his life for the better.”

“He did? What did he say exactly?”

“Stuff like how you drove him crazy, but he couldn’t get you off his mind. My favorite part was about how you not only make him want to be a better man, but you give him the confidence to be one.” Capri clutched her chest with one hand, pretending to swoon. “Isn’t that so romantic?”

Scarlett couldn’t believe her ears. Devin had truly gone above and beyond, not only with helping the business but also getting on her sisters’ good side. And he had done both without her knowledge, which meant he wasn’t looking for brownie points. On the other hand, maybe he was and hoped that the news would travel back to her—as it just had—so he could convince her to marry him. Scarlett’s thoughts bounced back and forth like a tennis ball, wavering between wanting to see Devin as a hero or as a villain. Why couldn’t she be more sure? What else would it take for her to trust him?

“I’m surprised he said those things,” she simply replied.

“He did, and he even wonmeover, which is not an easy feat as you know.” Amber smirked. “It’s obvious why he fell for you, Red, but I understand now why you fell for him, too. As for your other question, no, we’re not mad at you. At least not anymore.”

This was the reconciliation she’d come here for. Scarlett went around and gave each of them a hug. “I’m sorry again for making such a mess of things. I didn’t mean to cause trouble or more work for you guys. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“It’s all good.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Capri and Emerald chimed in, their tones pleasant. Scarlett looked over at Amber, hoping she’d be as gracious.

---