Page 7 of Chasing Blue
“You’re just scared. You told me you’ve never been in a serious relationship before, and that’s not normal for a woman your age. There’s a reason for that, it’s because you run as soon as things start getting serious, and this is . . .”
I put my hand up to stop him from talking as I process his words in my head.
“First of all, wow! At my age? Seriously? I’m thirty-fucking-six, not ninety. And secondly, I’ve never run from a relationship. I’ve never gotten into anything serious because I’ve never metanyoneI wanted to get serious with.”
Except The JMC of course, but we don’t talk about him.
“And we’ve only had four dates, so please explain, how arewegetting serious?”
“I can hear the panic in your voice right now. I know you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of this, and like you’ve done in the past, you’re looking for an excuse to run, but just know, if you take some time to think about things, you’ll realise you feel the same way I do. I’m falling for you, and I know you’re feeling it too.”
I take a moment just to stare at him while wondering what fucking planet he must’ve just flown in from.
“Erm, I can assure you, Matt, I have never,not ever, run from anything in my life. And I’m not sure what it isyou’refeeling, butIam most definitelynotfeelinganythingfor you that would make me want to take things between us any further. Now, if we’re done . . .”
He laughs patronisingly and gives me another of his head shakes while looking down at me.
His eyes slide up to meet mine, his entire body eerily still as he whispers, “Take the time I’m away to think about things, you’ll see. I’ll expect you to have come to your senses by the time I return, and when you’re not full of gin and wine and thinking clearly,thenwe can talk.”
The hairs on my arms are now standing completely on end, and my scalp pulls so tight, it makes my eyes water as I stare back at him. I don’t move. I barely even breathe while watching him turn and leave.
A lone tear tracks down my cheek as I watch him walk away, but it’s not because I’m sad at the end of another of my relationships, it’s fear. With only his words and strange demeanour, Matt just managed to scare the fucking life out of me.
CHAPTER2
Scarlett.
My phone vibrateswith a text just as I enter my showroom. I’m running late, and we’re already open. I smile at the two customers browsing. Anika Owens, a regular of ours, is seated on a stool at our design desk looking through fabric swatches with Abby, a sales team member.
Heading to the office at the back of the store, I drop my bag and laptop beside my desk while blowing Zoe a kiss as she talks on the phone. Still holding onto the pen she’d been taking notes with, she flips me her middle finger. In response, I pull up the oversized sweatshirt I’d paired with leggings and ankle boots this morning and flash her my boobs. Zoe rolls her eyes before carrying on her phone conversation. I head back out to the sales floor with a smile and take over from Abby at the design table while she serves the browsers who are now at the checkout, waiting to make a purchase.
Once I’ve set up a new project file and arranged a home visit with Anika, I wander back into the office.
“You’re late,” Zoe informs me without looking up from her computer screen.
“I’m aware.”
Taking a seat at my desk, I fish my phone and laptop out of my bag.
“Who pissed on your cornflakes this morning?”
Her grey eyes finally meet mine.
“I’m fine, just tired. Not sleeping great.”
Zoe stops whatever she was doing and leans back in her chair.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, nah. I’m good.”
“Bullshit. Talk to me.”
My stomach churns, and my eyes burn as I close them for a long minute. Why is it right here, in my office, I feel like I could sleep for a year, but last night, the night before, and probably tonight when I’m curled up in my big comfy bed, I’ll toss, turn, and stare at the ceiling for seven hours?
“Matt’s due back tomorrow,” I admit with a sigh, knowing that this will explain everything to Zoe. She’s my best friend, my ride or die and knows pretty much everything about me and my life, including all of my messy relationships both past and present.
Grey eyes pin me to my chair as I watch the tip of Zoe’s index finger trace the outline of her lips a couple of times before tapping it against her chin.
