For Keeps

20. Scarlett

He is here. Cooper is in the same city as me. I can hardly breath.
The only thing making me not panic is the fact that I'm leaving. I sit at the coffee shop across from my fake apartment and wait for my taxi.
I'm so nervous I keep picking at nails until they are nothing. Gross.
I'm not sure I want to see him, but as I sit there staring out the window, I know a small part of me does.
No. My subconscious screams.
I don't want him to see me, I banter with her. I just wouldn't mind a small glimpse.
Suddenly, a black SUV pulls up in front of the building and my chest tightens.
The door opens and out steps Cooper.
He is wearing a pair of jeans and a white button up shirt. He looks different. Good, but different.
His hair is longer and he looks more muscular.
A huge part of my heart feels a strong pull to him. I suddenly wonder what it would be like if I talked to him, or went back to New York with him.
Bad idea!
I know I know.
A part of me will always love him, even though I know I can't ever be with him again.
It's bittersweet.
He walks into the building and out of my sight.
I realize I have a few tears flowing down my face, so I pat them off.
No tears. Not for him.
I'm still waiting when he suddenly exits the building. He gets to the corner then leans forward and puts his hands on his knees.
What is he doing? Taking deep breaths?
My heart breaks a little.
When he straightens back up he freezes.
I feeeze. Can he see me? Can he sense me like I can him? I duck down in my seat just as he scans the street, the shops, the café... his eyes hold too long on my position and I briefly think I'm done for.
"Shit." I mutter. I look around to see if there's another way to get out of here. Maybe through a door in the back.
I slowly get up and make my way to the back of the café. I turn to see if he is still there, and almost jump as I see him walking towards the café.
I head faster to the back and through the kitchen.
I'm pretty sure I'm getting yelled at in french, but I shove money to them and the point towards the door.
Probably not the first time some one has had to make a quick escape.
I exit into the little ally and go around to the other side of my apartment. I am out of breath as I reach the side of the building. I see the taxi in front of the café now.
"Of course." I mutter. I see Cooper walk out to the taxi and talk to the driver. He hands him money.
He knows it's me. He knows I was supposed to go in that taxi.
Thank God he had a different alias.
He looks around, but ends up turning towards the beach.
I see a bus coming, so I make my way to the stop and hop on. It's heading to Paris so this should be interesting. I sit in a seat by the window and blow out a slow breath as we start to move.
We drive right next to Cooper. He turns just in time to see the bus. It happens so slow: I can see him scanning people's faces. I have my wig on and my sunglasses. He looks directly at me and I can see recognition light up so I take off my sunglasses and I smile. Our eyes are locked for what seems like minutes, but it's only a second.
He runs to the SUV, but nobody is in the car.
Brady must have the keys. Thank you Brady.
As we turn the corner, I run to the front, shove money at the driver and hop back off.
I run behind some cars and wait. Minutes later, the SUV flies by, so I get up and walk back down the street and find a taxi. That was too close for comfort. Bad idea.
I get to the airport on time and with no sign of Cooper here, I start to relax.
It's a long flight back, but when I step out into the bitter Montana cold, I can't help but feel at home.

I think Luke is working today, and although I want to sit down and talk with him, I decide to try and sneak a peek of him at work. Also, I can talk to Betty, my boss, about this last week.

I get there and speak with Betty. She really is the nicest person I have ever met. She tells me there was a trauma and most phlebs are down in the ER.
I leave her office which is behind tech equipment, so I can sneak out the back without being seen, but before I get too far I hear my name and my heart drops.
Paisley, Stacey, and Jasmine are standing there making fun of me.
What the fuck? Part of me wants to go out there and yell at them, but the other half almost wants to cry... especially when they start talking about my scars.
I was at the gym working out and Sean came in. He is a nurse on surgical and had been hitting on me for months. He started talking to me and happened to look at my arms briefly, barely registering them... until I flat out turned him down. Soon after that he started dating Jasmine, who hates me because the entire time he was trying to get with me, she was trying to get with him.
Girls can be so petty.
I turn and begin to leave, swallowing what pride I have left, when I hear Luke's voice boom through the lab.
Instantly butterflies fill my stomach.

"How fucking dare you. Scarlett is the nicest person in the entire world. Just because you are jealous of her, does not give you the right to spread bull shit rumors about her. Get off your high horses for two God damn seconds and maybe you would realize that she is a great person. She is funny, beautiful, smart, caring..."
I imagine him running his hands through his hair, pacing around.
"And guess what? None of you come close to comparing to her. You throw yourselves at any man and it's disgusting. I would never, ever, even  consider doing anything with either of you! How can I make that any clearer!"
I'm smiling from ear to ear. Haha bitches.
"And if you think anyone is weird... look at me! I only applied for this job because I saw her! I saw Scarlett and knew that one day she was going to be the one... I'm in love with her. In fucking love." My mouth drops.
"Get over yourselves, because the way you act makes you ugly."

I want to run to him, hug and kiss him. I want to tell him thank you for standing up for me.
Behind me, I hear a chuckle.
"Should I even ask?" Betty raises her eyebrow at me.
"He loves me." I shrug and smile at her.
"Go get your guy. I'll take care of those trouble makers."
I nod and decide to walk out the front way.
I round the corner and all eyes are on me.
I smile.
"Hey Sharron. Hey Georgia."
"Hey doll face, you just missed the fun." Georgia laughs.
My eyes dart towards Paisley, Stacey, and Jasmine.
"Oh no. I didn't miss anything." I narrow my eyes.
"See you ladies later."
I say and walk out the door.

I get to the apartment in time to see Luke entering the gym in work out clothes. He must really be pissed. Hopefully he doesn't hate me. My heart sinks at the thought.
I go inside and unpack my clothes, shower, and wait. After about an hour I can't wait any longer so I straighten my shirt and walk the two doors over.
I take a deep breath and knock three times.
Then I wait.