Scarlett Crawford, a widowed mother with a young daughter depending on her, struggling to keep her life and emotions in check, but with the help of her best friend and her big brother she does what she can. But will a chance encounter with an attrac...
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Scarlett
Work had been tedious this week. I'd had a few different jobs come across my desk, a holiday home, a possible bar re-model, but nothing I felt I could really sink my teeth into. I work as in interior decorator and mostly do display homes. It's pretty much my dream job, only it's like I'd been sleepwalking through the past year. I was abruptly shaken from my Friday morning daydreaming by my phone whistling at me, making me realize I'd been staring at the same fabric swatch samples for way too long.
I smiled at the newly familiar feeling of butterflies in my stomach as I looked at who had messaged me. Noah. We'd been texting a lot this week, getting to know each other better. Slow and steady. I still got some twinges of guilt sometimes, but then I'd remember what Nikki had said about Andy being the hot widow and women throwing themselves at him. They totally would too. It would be like that scene in 'Bad Moms' when the hot single dad is doing the school drop off and all the mothers are practically drooling. I laugh to myself and open the text.
Hey, I know we'd agreed to just talk for a while, but I really want to see you again. I was thinking a working lunch, take the pressure off. I need someone to help me decorate my new house (cue angry mother phone call, lol) I can pick you up from your office or meet you somewhere if you'd prefer. It's ok if you don't want too yet, let me know.
I re-read the text, sighed, then read it again. A casual lunch couldn't hurt and a gals gotta eat.
Ok yeah, lunch sounds good. I can meet you at your restaurant at 1pm and you can tell me about the house. Better yet, if you've got any photos or a floor plan they would be a great help. See you soon :)
I hit send, put my phone aside and let go of the breath I'd been holding. Does this count as a date? Of course not, it's work. Even though we've been flirting a little? I try not to think about it and check the time. It was only 11am so I've got plenty of time to put it aside and get some other work done. I'm helping him decorate a house, that's all this is about right now. well, I hope that's not all this is about. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and went back to work.
~ ~ ~
I walked back into Little Prince relieved I'd updated my working wardrobe from just jeans and jumpers to at least nice tops and a bit of makeup. I walked over to where Noah was sitting at the bar, talking with Lucas I think his name was.
"Um, hey." I said shyly. I was a bit late. Almost 20 minutes late actually. I'd been having an internal debate if I was ready for this, then decided 'screw it, get it together'.
"Hey, wow, you look great." Noah stood up and kissed me hello on the cheek then just stood back looking at me. Lucas cleared his throat, "Uh sorry, S-Scarlett this is Lucas James. My best mate slash the best bartender. Lucas, this is Scarlett Crawford." Lucas reached over the bar to shake my hand.
"Lovely to officially meet you Scarlett, I've heard a lot about you." He sends a wink Noah's way, making him blush. "Would you like a drink?"
