“I think the real question is, despite some of the stuff he’s pulled, do you trust him? Can you?”
I blow out a breath. If only he knew just howmuchI already feel for Xander. So much is already there. “I think so. Maybe?”
Deep down, though, I feel like there’s something else, something hidden just beneath the surface that I’m missing, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. It makes me nervous as hell … especially with the Unknown Number messaging me about my scholarship, making me wonder just what it is I don’t know about my mom … and my father. Until now, I’ve never wanted to know about him.
But now I know I have to find out what happened all those years ago.
Chapter 32
“Scarlett? Someone’s here to see you!” My aunt’s voice travels from the bottom of the stairs.
It’s way early. I’d planned on sitting down to have breakfast with my aunt and uncle this morning since I had the time. Smoothing my skirt down and checking myself in the mirror one last time, I grab my backpack and gym bag, then dash down the stairs to see who’s here.
I stop, completely gobsmacked, when I get to the bottom. Uncle David and Aunt Liz are standing there talking to none other than Xander.
“What?” I blink. “Did I forget you were coming? I’m confused.” My throat goes dry. My brain short circuits.What are he and his dimple doing here?
Xander shoots me a charming, boyish grin. “Nope.”
“You met my aunt and uncle, I assume?” My eyes dart from them back to Xander.
“Don’t worry, Scarlett. Xander introduced himself.” Aunt Liz cocks her head to the side. Internal panic begins shooting through me like a rocket. She’s always been able to read me like a book.How did he introduce himself? What did he say?
From behind his back, Xander produces a bag. “I have a little something for you.”
Uncle David gives me an impressed look. “A friend bearing gifts at seven on a Monday morning, huh?”
I look at Uncle David and shrug, wondering if Xander introduced himself as a friend or something more. My gaze flicks to Aunt Liz, who is too busy studying me to worry about the gift. She looks as dazed as I am confused. I haven’t said a word to them about Xander, so I have no doubt she’s having a moment of panic with Rosehaven’s elite standing right here in her foyer, regardless of how he introduced himself.
Uncle David jerks his head over his shoulder and pulls his wife into his side. “We’ll just be in the dining room having breakfast.” He smiles at Xander. “You’re welcome to stay, if you’d like.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ve actually got a football meeting before school today. That’s why I’m out and about so early.”
Aunt Liz finally snaps out of it and tentatively smiles. “No worries. You’re welcome back anytime.”
Uncle David’s eyes scan my face. “Are you feeling okay, Scarlett? You look a little flushed.”
Oh my God.
Aunt Liz lightly smacks his chest. “Hush, David.”
He looks from Xander to me, then chuckles and gives me awhoopsface as they turn as a unit and head for the dining room. “Never mind.”
I wait until they are out of earshot before I open my mouth. “Sorry.” I press my hands to my overly warm cheeks and blink up at him.
“That’s okay.” He pulls me close to him. “Damn. Looking good today, Red.”
“I’m wearing the same uniform everyone wears.”
“You wear it well. But that’s not even it. It’s the girl in the uniform who’s making my heart race.” He brushes my long hair back, leans in, and kisses the side of my neck. He inhales deeply before murmuring, “You smell so fucking good.”
I whisper, “I’m not sure I’m ready for this. I don’t know if I can handle you.”
“I promise you can.” He edges back to look into my eyes, winks, and in doing so, makes my face redden further.
I put my hands to his shoulders and take a step back, hoping to slow the reaction my body is having to him standing here in my house being sweetly naughty. It’s enough to make the girly-girl hiding inside of me squeal a little. “Did you say you brought me something?”
He nods and drops the bag into my waiting hands. When I peek inside, I gasp. “What?” There is a brand-new freaking iPhone in the bag. I’ve never had one before, so I’m half afraid to pull it out. “I can’t accept this, Xander.” I push the bag against his chest.