A Passion Rekindled (12 page)

Before Christian could say a word, Scarlett lifted her head and walked out the room. Determine to hold her composure until she was out of sight. Christian looked after her.

“Scarlett wait. What happened?”

Jayla gave Helen a piercing look then glanced at Chris and Christian.

“Why I don't think there is anything left for me to say on this subject! You all have a good night.” She walked out as well. They boys turned to go after them. But Helen stopped them.

“Boys let them go. There are plenty of women here I want you to meet.”

“What did you say to them?”

“Nothing.”

Chris rubbed his head. “Mother!”

“I just explained to them how you guys were destined for greatness so you know. And they don't fit into that.”

“How could you?”

Chris began to walk away but Helen followed him.

“Oh come on you and I both know that you can do better than them.”

“No Mom I can’t do better than Jay and I don't want to why can’t you see that.”

Chris shook his head and went after Jay. Christian looked at his mother.

“How could you mom? I invited her as my guest and you make her feel worthless. After all those things you said to me about not hurting her.” Christian walked out.

“Christian wait.”

He threw his hands in the air as he continued to walk away. Helen looked at her husband.

“I will not apologize for having my son’s best interest at heart.”

“Nor should you have to. But hurting two women who you may not like in the process is pretty low.”

“So I suppose you are angry too.”

“Helen I love you but you really need to open your eyes to the bigger picture here. What you want doesn’t matter. It’s what they want.”

***

Scarlett sat on a bench in front of the house. She wanted the tears to stop but they wouldn’t. She felt so small. She thought it would feel good to put that woman in her place but it didn't. Scarlett felt like screaming. Christian walked up behind her.

“Scarlett.”

She wiped her eyes but didn’t face him. He moved closer to her.

“Are you ok?”

“I am fine just waiting for a Cab.”

“Why are you leaving? What did she say?”

“Nothing I didn’t already know.”

“Scarlett please talk to me.”

“About what Christian? You are this wonderful man on a path of greatness a woman like me will ruin that for you.”

“You can’t believe that.”

“I can and I do.”

“Scarlett.”

Scarlett held her hands up and stood.

“Enough ok we tried, it didn't work.”

“What are you talking about we didn’t try anything?”

“Christian this is why I have stayed away from you. This is why I choose not to be bothered with you. Why whenever I felt drawn to you, like this can actually work I pushed those feelings away and refused to act on them. If you don't put yourself out there, you won’t be hurt. And I was hurt today. I just wish I would have listened to myself. Christian you are a wonderful man and you deserve an amazing woman. And I am not her.”

Scarlett turned away but Christian stopped her.

“And what makes you think you’re not?”

“What?” she turned back towards him.

“Scarlett I know what I deserve and it's you.”

“You don't know what you’re talking about.”

“What I know is you are just afraid.”

“Good night Christian.”

Christian grabbed her arm. “No you are not walking away from me we are going to talk about this.”

She yanked her arm away from him. “No we aren’t.”

The cab pulled up into the driveway and she walked over to it. Out of nowhere, Jay walked past her. Chris following her.

“Jay baby please just talk to me.”

Christian ran to the door, stopping her from closing it.

“Scarlett please I don't care what she said I want to be with you.”

“Look you guys enjoy the rest of the party. I know there are guests here your mom is dying to introduce you too. Please just leave us alone right now. Please.” She pulled he door closed and Chris and Christian stood back as the car drove off.

The boys looked after them. As Christian paced Chris fumed.

“Every time! Every damn time I bring her here mom has to do or say something to hurt her.”

“Chris I don't know what to do? They were hurt. Really hurt.”

“Well we just need to fix that. Show them what mom thinks doesn’t matter to us.”

“And how do we do that?”

“I don't know yet but I am not going to let her ruin this for me. I am in love with Jay and I don't really care about anything other than that.”

“Chris I just got her to put her guard down and be with me I can’t lose her.”

“And you won’t. We are going to make this right ok I promise you.”

Chapter 5

When one door closes…

Scarlett placed the last of the files into the cabinet and smiled as Christian walked out his office. They hadn’t really spoken about what happened at the party. Part of her was happy about that but a part of her wish they could talk about it. While they were great professionally, personally they were no further along than the first day they met. Scarlett knew she might just have to face the fact that maybe his mom was right and they were not right for each other.

Christian walked over to her desk and cleared his throat.

“Do you need anything before I head out?”

“Nope after I straighten out my desk I am heading home.”

“So any weekend plans?”

Scarlett exhaled. “I don’t know I might, it depends on how I feel when I leave here. How about you?”

“Just heading home alone, got to finish up the McBride files before Monday.”

Scarlett smirked while beginning to type on the computer. “Sounds fun.” 

“It should be. So I will see you Monday?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Well, have a good weekend.”

“You too.”

Christian walked out the office and Scarlett frowned as she gathered the papers. She glanced at her phone and decided there was no way she was going to spend another weekend alone in that big house.
She needed to move on from Christian and see what else is out there. It was time for her to have a life whether she really wanted to or not.

Scarlett opened the passenger door and stood in front of the Club. Clubs were not her scene at all but this club seemed to be the exception to the rule. It was a 26 and over club called the Clover. There were two parts; you could head upstairs to eat at a four star restaurant or stay downstairs to dance. 

“Hold on let me get that.”

Scarlett waited as her date ran over to her and helped her out the car. As skeptical as she was to go out with this man again, she had to admit he was a true gentleman. She met Jonah through Jay and Chris, it was her first blind date and she had to admit she had a great time. In the month that followed meeting Jonah she saw him twice and each time she was both impressed and taken back at how down to earth and sweet he was. As they walked into the club area and over to a table Jonah smiled.

“I am going to grab us a drink what would you like?”

“Pepsi I don’t really drink.”

“And if they don't have it?”

“Water.”

“Coming up.”

As he walked away Scarlett glanced over at him and sighed. She gave him another once over debating if he could replace her feelings for Christian. He wasn’t as tall as Christian was but he was taller than her by a few inches standing at 6 foot even. He wore his hair in a low cut fade and his ear had a slight dent in where she figured he let his ear close up. Probably went through his earring phase as some guys do. His brown eyes were covered by bushy eye brows. Christian’s were always trimmed she had noticed. Jonah’s Dark Chocolate complexion seemed to compliment the light blue collared shirt he wore. 

She had to admit there wasn’t anything wrong with him; he just wasn’t who she wanted. But she could work around that she had to work around that. Jonah pulled her out of her thoughts as he placed the drinks on the table.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

“Trust me you would need more than a penny.”

Jonah laughed. “Rough day?”

“Actually I am just thinking about how it's been a long time since I have been out or had some fun.”

“Well I am glad that you agreed to come out with me again.”

Scarlett allowed him to take her hand in his. “Me too.”

Jonah beamed. “So how was work?”

“It was long but I enjoy every moment I am there I like knowing I make a difference.”

“I get that.”

“I know you do you’re a doctor…how did you know that is what you wanted to be with no doubt in your head?”

“I didn’t for a long time, until I decided that my heart was in becoming a doctor.”

Scarlett looked at her drink using the straw to stir it. “I wish your specialty was cancer.”

“That is the typical response of someone who has or knows someone with cancer.”

“My mom.”

“And that is why you are taking care of your brother and sister?”

Scarlett looked at him seeing the concern in his eyes. “Yes she has been sick a long time, went into remission twice and she just doesn’t have that much steam left.”

“How do you do it?”

She looked up to find him staring at her intensely. “Do what?”

“How do you put others before you?”

“I don’t know I guess I just do.”

Jonah smiled and looked at the dance floor.

“You want to dance?”

“Sure.”

They walked to the floor as the cupid shuffle came on. As they got in line and began dancing Scarlett allowed Jonah to stand behind her holding her waist.  “Oh I love this dance.”

Scarlett couldn’t help but smirk at how excited the song made him. As she continued to dance with him someone tapped her shoulder. She turned to see Jay beside her.

Scarlett hugged her.

“Girl what are you doing here?”

“Chris and I come here all the time I am surprised to see you out here.”

“Yeah I am too. Jonah I am going to go talk to Jay for a minute ok?”

Jonah smiled as he kept dancing. “Go ahead I will be here.”

Scarlett followed Jay to a table.

“So are you having fun?”

“I can’t lie I am.”

“I told you he was a good guy.”

“And I am glad I listened to you, Jonah may not have been my first choice, but he is fun to be around.”

“Speaking of your first choice I should warn you Chris and I are here kind of on a double date with Christian. They kind of blindsided me.”

Scarlett felt her heart sink deep into her chest. She forced a smile. “Oh ok that’s fine.”

“Don’t give me that ‘I’m ok’ look I know you aren’t.”

“He is a grown man if he wanted to date me we would be dating by now.”

“Not buying it.”

“What?”

Jayla gave her a matter of fact look and Scarlett shook her head.

“No I'm fine I mean so what if he lied to me about going home alone. So what if I have these feelings for him I just can’t get rid of.”

“Scarlett what are you doing here?”

Scarlett turned and faced Christian. “I should be asking you the same thing I thought you were headed home to work on the McBride files.”

She said smiling so he would know she was hurt.

“I was. I thought you weren’t sure of your plans?”

“I wasn’t until Jonah asked me out again.”

Christian frown. “Jonah?”

His eyes followed Scarlett’s to the dance floor and he felt like he was just gut punched.

“You are here with Jonah Clark?”

“Not that it is any of your business but yes I am. You know him?”

“We went to school together.”

“Oh small world, if you will excuse me I should be getting back to him.”

Christian blocked her. “Since when are you dating him?”

“Again not that it is any of your business but this is our third date. Who are you here with?”

He shrugged. “Just a business associate.”

“Yeah like I believe that. Jay I am going to call you in the morning I should be getting back to my date.”

Scarlett turned and bumped into Chris and Jonah followed by a woman. She looked to be mixed with a little bit of everything, wearing a simple skin tight ruby red dress that came just short of her thighs. Scarlett immediately felt insecure of her choice of clothes. She wore black leggings with a s
p
arkling
sequin top that had fluttering chiffon sleeves and a scoop neck.
Her hair up in a high ponytail with the ends being flipped, while this woman allowed her long locks to flow over her shoulders. Scarlett hugged Chris.

“Chris I am sorry I didn’t see you there.”

“Scarlett hi, you look great.”

“Thanks.”

Jonah stood closer to Scarlett and smiled at Christian.

“Hey, long time no see Christian how are you?”

“I am fine how are you doing?”

“Great! My practice just opened another office downtown and as you can see I have your beautiful assistant on my arm.”

“Yeah I see that, how did you two meet?”

Jonah smiled widely. “Chris introduced us. So can we join you?”

“No!” Scarlett and Christian spoke at the same time looking at each other. Scarlett cleared her throat.

“Jonah this has been fun but I think we should be getting home, it’s getting late.”

Jonah pulled her close to him. “Trying to take me home already boy am I lucky. We will see you all later.”

Before Scarlett could speak he pulled her away. Amber smirked. “That’s your assistant? She’s interesting.”

“Amber don’t.”

She twirled her hair in her right hand. “Don’t what?”

“Don't start because I don't want to hear it.”

“I didn't say a word.”

“No but you were about to.”

“It’s nothing I mean aren’t your assistants a little more in shape I want to say? But it's kind of a relief.”

Christian stared at her for a moment then looked at Chris. “Chris can I talk to you for a second?”

Christian pulled Chris away. “What were you thinking introducing those two?”

“What?”

“You know how I feel about him and her.”

“You still on that high school stuff?”

“Every girl I wanted he took. Every time I got a high grade he found some way to out shine me and now he is out on a date with Scarlett.”

“So what do you care?”

“What?”

“Christian after the party you just gave up on whatever you were feeling for her. You went back to dating these superficial women and left your feelings for Scarlett in mom and dad’s driveway that night. Did you expect her to just sit and wait for you to be ready to fight for her?”

“What?”

“Did I say something wrong? You had your chance you didn’t take it. I warned you to go to her to ask her to forgive you and show her that what mom thinks is not what you think but you didn’t. So don’t get upset with her or me for introducing her to someone who could maybe take her mind off of you.”

Christian placed his hands in his pockets. “But Jonah?”

“Is a good guy and she likes him. So I am going to go and enjoy the rest of my night with my beautiful girlfriend and since you brought Amber here I suggest you do the same. Unless you are finally realizing that being with someone you really care about and fighting for that relationship is more important than just being with someone who can make your life easier.”

Chris walked away and Amber walked over to him.

“So ready to have some fun?”

“Actually I just realized I have a lot of work to do I need to be heading out. If you want to stay I can ask Chris to give you a ride home.”

“Wait I don’t understand is something wrong?”

“Amber I just need to go ok.”

She brushed his lips with hers. “If you stay I can promise you a great time.”

“That is going to have to wait. I will call you later.”

Before she could speak Christian walked towards the door. He knew he was taking a huge risk going over to Scarlett’s house but even if Jonah was there he needed to tell her how he felt. He knocked on her door with a bunch of Lilac flowers in hand. Scarlett came to the door wearing a long Black and Pink silk nightgown with matching robe.

“Christian what are you doing here?” she asked pulling her robe shut.

“Wow Scarlett even in a night gown you are breath taking.”

She smacked her teeth and went to shut the door. Christian stopped her.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Scarlett looked at him puzzled but then realized what he was asking.

“If you came over here just to see if Jonah is here you wasted your time. So goodnight.”

“Please just talk to me. Please.”

“About what?”

“Us.”

“What us? There is no us.”

“Scarlett if you don't like what I have to say I will leave but please just hear me out.”

She moved to the side and let him in, once he was completely in she shut the door. He handed her the flowers. “I bought these for you.”

“Why?”