Page 93 of Betrayed in the Dark
Scarlett slides closer, her eyes filled with genuine concern. “But you love him,” she states as if it should be obvious.
I look down, brushing away my tears. “That’s exactly why I can’t go to him.”
“I don’t understand,” she says softly.
“I know.” I hide my face in my hands. “You just have to trust me on this. It’s the right thing to do.”
“I do trust you. You know I do,” she responds. She reaches for one of my hands, taking it in her own. “I just wish you knew you could talk to me about whatever it is that’s going on.”
“I wish I could,” I breathe. “You have no idea how much I wish I could.”
She reaches out, gently tucking my hair behind my ear. “You’ve always been there for me. I just want to be there for you now.” I nod, unable to find my voice. “Which is why, as your best friend, I’m not letting you spend Christmas here.”
I let out a deep breath. “Scarlett—”
“No.” She shakes her head firmly. “You deserve to be happy, Maddy. And right now, you’re so far from it that it’s not even funny.”
I shrug. “Can’t argue with that.”
“So.” She stands and holds her hands out for me, which I take. “It’s time to get your butt moving. The pilot is waiting for you.”
“What?”
She brushes her fingers across my cheeks, wiping away the rest of my tears. “I talked with the pilot and arranged a flight for you to England. Think of it as my Christmas present.”
I shake my head. “But what—”
“No buts,” she interjects firmly. “You’re going to get your ass on your family’s plane and fly across the damn ocean to get to your man.”
I laugh at her attempt at being bossy. “But what about my family? My brothers will notice pretty quickly if I’m gone.”
“Alina is ready to play the part of a sick friend who needs you by her side. And the pilot knows not to utter a word if he wants to keep his job.” She winks. “We thought of everything.”
“You guys really are the best friends I could ever ask for.”
“I know, I know.” She laughs. “Now go! They’re about five hours ahead over there, and the flight is about seven hours. If you leave now, you’ll make it in time for Christmas morning.”
I wrap my arms around her, feeling so thankful for her. “Thank you.”
“We all deserve to be with the one we love, even if it’s just for a few days, right?” she asks.
“A few days is more than I could ask for,” I tell her.
She tightens her hold around me. “I know you’ll tell me everything when you’re ready. But I just want you to know that I’m here whenever that day comes. Okay?”
I nod. “Thank you, Scarlett. For everything.”
She pulls back to look at me with a smile on her face. “Go get him, Maddy.”
As I walk up the snow-covered cobblestone steps, I smooth out my jacket, wishing I had a chance to change before the flight or even pack a bag, for that matter. But for now, what I’m wearing will have to do.
I raise my hand to the giant black door, ready to knock, but freeze when I catch sight of my engagement ring gleaming in the light.
Shit.I twist it off and shove it into my pocket, ensuring it remains out of sight. I raise my hand again but hesitate when I hear laughter coming from the other side of the door.
What am I doing?
What if he doesn’t want me here?
