In a approach, the rose could be excellent. One of the simplest ways to check the waters, one of the simplest ways to indicate that I wished greater than these fleeting experiences. And in the event that they turned me down then higher to do it now than when love had made itself identified.

“So, three roses?” Lily repeated, drawing me again out of my ideas.

“Okay, yeah. Three.”

“On the very least you’ll get to see in the event that they respect your traditions,” Lily chuckled.

“That’s true.”

Drinks completed, Lily stood and stretched with a groan. “Alright love, I gotta head again and end this centerpiece. Are you going to be alright?”

“Sure in fact!” I smiled and blew kisses on the display. “I miss you.”

“Miss you too!”

There was an eeriness to the silence that fell when the decision ended, and my coronary heart clenched barely. I did miss Lily, I missed residence. Hopefully, I’d be capable to wrap up this can nonsense rapidly and be again residence by Valentine’s Day.

Hopefully with three guarantees.

Smiling to myself on the thought, I buried below my blanket and turned on the tv, then paused as my telephone buzzed. Anticipating one other bullying textual content from Shane, I solely half glanced at it after which did a double-take. My coronary heart leaped up into my throat and a prickling shiver washed down my backbone.

It was from Toby.

‘Scarlett, I would really like the chance to apologize to you in individual. Please come to dinner. We have now quite a bit to speak about.’

23

SCARLETT

Dinner with Toby was extra extravagant than I had imagined.

Arriving at his townhouse, I had picked out a easy, flowy, purple gown, with quick chiffon sleeves and purple beading down the bodice I had stitched in myself. It was essentially the most respectable gown I had introduced with me, and there was undoubtedly one thing comforting about carrying one thing acquainted to a spot I used to be not sure I’d even be welcomed.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the ornate wood door that appeared to stretch for miles above me and waited.

My coronary heart ran rabbit quick beneath my ribs. I smoothed my clammy palms down the entrance of my gown, fastidiously balancing the bottle of wine I had introduced with me. That had been Lily’s thought. The proper method to preserve the peace was to show up with a present; that concept had been the one factor out of our whole dialog that had caught with me. The whole lot else had been misplaced to nerves.

Instantly, the door in entrance of me clunked and swung open. A tall, older man stood earlier than me wearing a wise charcoal go well with. A triangle of blue sat tucked into the higher pocket of his jacket, and a wiry moustache twitched as he regarded me.

“Sure, Miss?”

“Hello—I imply, good night. My identify is Scarlett, I’m right here for… dinner?” Did I’ve the proper place? I checked the quantity on the door for the umpteenth time, simply in case. Fortunately, the doorman nodded and smiled, after which stepped apart whereas sweeping one arm outward.

“Sure, you might be anticipated. Are available.”

I stepped over the brink with a smile, instantly enveloped in an inviting heat. Earlier than I might utter a phrase, the scarf round my shoulders was eliminated by the doorman and he folded it neatly over one arm.

“In case you might comply with me.”

It seemed like a query, however he was already strolling away. I took a deep breath, clutched the wine bottle tighter, and hurried after him, all of a sudden very acutely aware of how my heels clacked loudly down the marble hallway.

I had thought Lucas’ dad and mom’ residence was lavish, however this place took the biscuit. Pale partitions stretched impossibly excessive to a cream ceiling painted with swirls of gold flowers. Massive, glimmering chandeliers lined the hallway, sweeping down and out of sight. Massive, intricate work held on the partitions, and each few ft, framing every doorway, stood tall stone pillars carved into spirals. The ground was so polished that I discovered myself virtually strolling on my tiptoes in order to not soil the arduous work of whoever managed to get a gleaming reflection out of that stone.

This was richness past even my best desires.

The doorman led me to a set of white double doorways with gleaming gold handles. Pushing them open, he swept inside and cleared his throat.

“Mr. Ashbluff? Your visitor.”

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