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
I woke early after an unsurprisingly restless night. I hadn't slept this badly since my first night without Andy. I reached over to check the time on my phone and saw the notifications for the missed calls and unanswered texts from Noah, all from varying times throughout the night. But right now, at 4.47 on a Sunday morning, I didn't give a rats ass.
I left my phone on the side table and rolled away, facing toward Andy's side of the bed, the side that now held the faint traces of Noah's cologne. A small surge of guilt rolled through me as the smell stirred up the butterflies in my stomach as well as the anger and frustration of my current situation.
I huffed out an irritated breath, rolling onto my back and staring contemplatively at my bedroom ceiling. A tear escaped my eye and rolled down my cheek just as my phone whistled indicating a new text. I reached blindly for my phone and saw that it was another message from Noah. An audible sigh left my lips as I opened the new message.
Scarlett, please. I know I overstepped and you can't even begin to know how sorry I am. I honestly thought I was helping to take some of the stress out of the situation by saying we'd both be there. They just showed up and started making a scene in the restaurant. Please message me back or call me, I just need to know that you're ok. We can work this out x
Locking my phone screen, I rolled back onto my side and let the tears flow freely until sleep reclaimed me.
~ ~ ~
"Mama," I felt the mattress beside me dip as Quinn climbed in to snuggle up beside me, "Mama, why are you sad?" her soft little fingers gently lay on my cheek, as she looked up at me, her sweet face full of innocent concern.
"Oh honey, I just didn't have a very good sleep." I pulled her in for a cuddle, kissing the top of her head.
"Are you sick? I can make you a sandwich. I know how to make peanut butter ones." Bless her little cotton socks. A smile twitched at the corners of my mouth.
"That sounds great, why don't we both hop up and make them together." I rolled back to check the time again and saw another two texts from Noah as well as one from Eric. Why were people so into texting at the crack of dawn on a Sunday? I didn't open any of the messages, I didn't want to upset Quinn by getting angry in front of her.
We made our way out to the kitchen to get started on breakfast when I heard a noise that sounded like a car in my driveway. You've got to be kidding me. I lifted Quinn onto a seat at the dining table.
"Just wait here for a minute, ok sweetie. I'll be right back." I walked out into the hallway, just as my front door swung open.
"Good morning Scarlett. Nice to see you're up and about early. Coffee?"
Eric stood in the doorway, a takeaway coffee cup extended toward me with a patronisingly sinister smile pasted too comfortably on his face. Even if I drank coffee I wouldn't be taking that cup from him.
