Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“Nice to meet you both.” I pull out a chair for Scarlet, helping her into it before situating myself in the one to her right.
“So,” Nora says, drawing out the word. “I have questions...”
“Good fucking luck getting any answers,” Atlas grouses, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Be nice,” Nora hisses, cutting her eyes his ways.
He holds up his hands like he’s innocent.
“Well, I can only speak for myself, but this conversation requires alcohol.” She flags down an employee as they walk by. “Can I get a creek water?”
The server nods and turns to me. I order myself a beer, and she scampers off.
“I'm gonna be honest.” Nora bounces in her seat. “I don't really think I can wait for your drink to get here. I'm gonna need you to spill now.”
Cara inclines her head toward Nora. “I have to agree with her, Scar. Spill.”
Scarlet turns toward Sophie. “So sorry this is your introduction to me. I promise I’m not always drama.”
My best friend seems to be stuck in asshole mode, because the idiot makes a point of scoffing—loudly.
“Ignore him,” Scarlet says, in a sickeningly sweet voice. “It’s the only way. Now, back to the issue at hand—I have a stalker. Sophie, if you didn’t already know that, now you do. And he’s been… escalating. Things got terrifying here recently, so I called Ellis.”
“You could’ve called us,” Nora insists.
“Or me,” Cara adds, a touch of hurt bleeding into her words.
“I could have, but despite what Atlas thinks, I’d never purposely endanger anyone. Ellis was already aware of the situation, so going to him felt… right. I’ve been staying with him since then, and in that time, we’ve grown closer.”
Right on cue, Atlas huffs like a toddler in need of a nap. Swear to god, he could rival James right now. Maybe he needs a snacky-snack?
Regardless of what crawled up his ass, I’m not having it. Scarlet’s been through enough. “Do you have something you want to say?”
“Honestly…” He hesitates, his eyes flashing toward Scarlet before locking back on mine. “I think this is all bullshit.”
Nora, god love her, looks like she wishes the floor would swallow her whole. She’s not a big fan of confrontation, so I’m sure this is killing her.
I start to put him in his place, but Scarlet reaches over and lays her hand on my thigh, squeezing softly to let me know she’s got it under control.
“I’ve spent long enough letting the likes of you walk all over me, Atlas. You don’t like me, that’s fine. I’ll make it. But this fucking animosity—which is all on you, by the way—is toxic.”
“You would know.”
If looks could kill, Atlas would be eviscerated on the spot. “You’re acting like a child. Grow up. You want to call our relationship bullshit? Go for it. I don’t care. Your opinion of me is irrelevant. But Ellis deserves—”
“Relationship?” he sputters, choking on his drink.
Nora worries her lip between her teeth, casting nervous glances around the table. “Please be nice,” she whispers to her fiancé.
“I'm trying, Pip. Really, I am.” He softens his tone for her, but I can see his anger in the stiff set of his shoulders and the way he’s white-knuckling his glass.
“Try harder, bro,” Cara says, not caring one bit that she’s willfully walking into a proverbial minefield.
Scarlet sends her a grateful smile before addressing Atlas. “Look, I get it, okay. This is weird… for everyone. The one constant since Ellis and I met is our mutual dislike for one another. Our not getting along is the status quo. Lucky for us though, we cleared the air, and we’re happy together. So, either get on board or...” She trails off, unsure how to end her particular threat.
Luckily, I have no such trouble. “Or get the fuck out of our lives.”
Cara and Sophie are riveted to the shitshow taking place at our table, their eyes ping-ponging back and forth with every shot fired.
Atlas's face goes completely blank. “You're telling me you would choose her… Scarlet,” he spits her name. “Over me, your best friend?”
“You don’t fucking get it, man.” Shaking my head, I drop my chin to my chest. “I'm telling you that my best friend would never make me choose.”
Nora, Cara, and Sophie all nod.
Nora wraps her arms around Atlas’s and rests her head on his shoulder. “He’s not wrong, and I think deep down, you know that.”
Atlas drops a kiss to the top of her head before picking up his drink and draining it. “I'll try.” Holding my gaze, he squares his jaw. “I'm not saying I'll like it, but I'll try.”
“That's literally all anyone's asking.” Scarlet throws her hands out wide. “Change is hard. I get that. I don't expect you to magically like me overnight. Some days I don't even like myself.”
I tug her into my side, bringing my lips to her temple. “We’re gonna keep working on that, baby girl.”