She had everything she needed. A wool cap, her thick cable-knit sweater, heavy socks, a blanket, and her picture of Pearl. The tattered sketch was no longer stiff. The lines were smudged from too many foldings and fingers brushing the paper. It was her most cherished possession, and in times of sadness it always comforted her.
She didn’t need to look at the image to see that long-ago day in her mind. It had been cold and rainy, and Pearl had again stuck that ridiculous rubber hat on Scout’s head. The artist had captured the desolate look in her mother’s eyes, but that was not what Scout saw when she looked at the drawing. No, she saw her mother holding her hand, a silent promise that they would make it through anything. And they did.
Rain never lasted forever. After every harsh winter she’d experienced from the outside looking in, there came a rebirth of life. It seemed that was all Scout had ever done, get reborn time and time again.
She was tired of starting over. She was tired of fighting and clawing her way to the top. For the first time ever, she lacked the reserve of determination she’d been known for all her life.
She hurt. She hurt, not the way an empty belly aches or even the way a scrape burns. She hurt from someplace hidden deep inside of her, and she had no idea how to make the terrible ache go away.
He’d deserted her when he promised to love her. She didn’t want to think about him. The problem was she couldn’t recall how she used to think before he interfered in her life.
Her eyes shut out the stars moving behind the clouds and, mercifully, she slept. Her thoughts subsided for broken moments in her timeless mind.
There was a sound. Something woke her. Her lashes slowly fluttered open. Her nose was chilled, her lips tucked under the wide satin trim of the blanket. She scanned the area without really moving. When she saw nothing out of the ordinary, she shut her eyes and tried to return to her dreamless sleep. That’s when she heard it.
“Scout.”
Her breath sucked in and her eyes pulled open. A dream, she must have been falling into a dream, her consciousness pulling her back just before she stepped over the threshold of sleep. Curling further under the blanket, she searched for a warm place to tuck her hands.
“Scout! You up there?”
That was real. She frowned. Parker? Her lips moved, but no sound came out. Her voice so neglected she had to concentrate to talk. With shaky limbs, she sat up and cleared her throat.
There was a whistle, a familiar whistle, the kind of whistle that rang out “Shave and a Haircut.”
“Two bits,” she rasped, her whispered reply floating away on the fingers of a far-reaching breeze. Her sleepy mind snapped to life.
Scout clumsily staggered to her feet, catching the blankets before they fell to the cold cobblestone floor.
“Parker?”
“Scout?”
Her mouth parted, as though too skeptical to smile. “Parker!”
“Scout! I’m down here.”
His voice was like the sweetest music to her ears. Her legs propelled her to the edge of the garden balcony, and there was an extraordinary release of tension from her shoulders. There he was, as real as ever, in jeans, Converse, and a cozy crewneck sweater. So very Parker.
Her face split with the greatest grin. Muscles she hadn’t used in days protested, but gave way as the first sense of happiness washed over her in what felt like an eternity.
“Oh my God, Parker! Is it really you?” How did he find her?
“Of course it’s me, ass. Let me in! I’ve been waiting down here forever.”
Was he really there? Did Lucian tell him what happened? Maybe he came with a message from Lucian? No, that didn’t make sense. Who cared? He was here!
“I’ll be right down!”
She turned and bolted on her bunchy socks to the glass door. Not realizing how weak she’d become, she struggled to slide it open. Once it gave way, she shouted for her own reassurance, “I’m coming!” Part of her feared he’d disappear like a mirage in the desert.
Ignoring the familiar pieces of her life appointing the apartment, she ran to the door and pressed the intercom. It buzzed. “Park?”
She released her finger and waited, bouncing in place. It buzzed back and a scratchy version of her friend’s voice said, “I’m in! I’m coming up.” It was late and the doorman must have gone home.
Scout turned and caught her reflection in the mirror by the door. Her cheeks were gaunt and her eyes appeared overly large for her face. Her hair hung in ratty waves over the shoulders of her sweater, her brows hidden beneath a tight wool skullcap.
She looked like a ruffian. She looked like a kid. Her lips, unadorned with any gloss or any artificial color, curled upward in a slow half smile. She looked like Scout.
The sound of the elevator in the hall drew her back to the present. Her fingers quickly twisted open the locks on her door and flung it wide.
He stilled and smiled at her. He seemed as shocked to be seeing her as she was at the sight of him.
“How did you know I was here?” she whispered, her breath coming fast.
“I always know where you are. How else can I watch over you? I lost you for a few days there, but I’m here now. Are you okay?”
No, she was definitely not okay, but she was a world better now that he was there. Parker. Her friend.
Her trembling lips formed a thin line as too many words tried to force their way out and each one seemed to fail. She shook her head sadly and fought back a sob clawing its way up her throat.
His smile faltered and his brow pinched. “Oh, Scout . . .” He held out his arms and she ran to him.
It was magical to be held. For days she’d known a side of loneliness that was fathomless, unending, and so terrifyingly hollow. To feel the warmth of another body holding her now . . . it was remarkable.
All of her defenses came tumbling down the moment her mind recognized his familiar scent, the way he protectively sheltered her with his body. It was all so nostalgic and so incredibly needed. She simply gave in to the vortex of emotions eddying inside of her and didn’t think.
His lips pressed into her temple as she cried. When her knees gave out he scooped her up, carrying her like a baby into the apartment. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m here. Scout, please don’t cry . . .”
Her nose pressed into the warm skin beneath his collar, her tears leaving salty tracks from her eyes to her lips. Pain cut through her as she admitted what a fool she’d been.
“You were right. He used me. He wanted me to be something else, and when I couldn’t he sent me away.”
Parker tensed and stilled. She wiped the back of her hand under her eyes and sniffled. She was a mess, but beyond caring. Her pride was trampled the minute she stepped foot into this horrid place. She was a fool. Her fall from grace was an excruciating tattoo on her heart, a branding still raw that would permanently stick with her, reminding her love was cruel and she was a fool.
He sat down on a piece of furniture and tightened his arms around her back, rubbing in soft, wide circles over her thick sweater. “Scout, have you been crying like this the whole time? You’ve been here for days. Have you eaten?”
She stilled and drew back. “How do you know how long I’ve been here? Did Lucian send you? Have you talked to him?”
Parker scowled at her. “No.”
The atmosphere cooled at his clipped reply. She looked down and noticed how inappropriate their position was. She was straddling him and he had his arms around her. Pressing her lips tight she pulled to the side, intending on easing off of him. His grip tightened. She made an uncomfortable sound in her throat and he let her go.
Embarrassed, she slid beside him and tucked her hair behind her shoulders. “Sorry. I . . . I’ve been really emotional lately. I shouldn’t have jumped on you like that.”
Fingers traced softly over her denim-clad knee.
He grinned sadly at her. “Hey, that’s what friends are for. I came because I was worried about you. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
She felt her brow furrow as she slowly attempted a smile. Everything was blurry. Confusion and too many questions of how he’d found her spun in her mind like clouds turning a day to night. “Did you see him?” she whispered and Parker’s face shuttered.
“What if I did, Scout? The guy’s a jerk. Seriously, who does that?”
She frowned. Had he seen him? “You know what he did?”
Parker scoffed. “I can imagine. I mean, you’re here and he’s in Europe—”
“Europe? With who?” Something vicious and cold came alive inside of her. He was in fucking Europe? They just broke up! “How do you know all this?”
His mouth opened and closed. “I . . . I work with people who do business with him. I mean, the guy’s everywhere. People talk.”
“And you heard he was in Europe?”
“Paris, actually, for an extended visit.”
She could almost see the black webbing tightening over her heart like a suffocating cocoon, squeezing so tight she thought she might die. “Did he go alone?” she choked.
Parker’s expression looked uncomfortable. His fingers gently pinched at her chin as he eyed her sympathetically. “I don’t know many people who visit the most romantic city in the world alone.”
The cocoon tightened and something inside of her suddenly shattered under the vise of misery. And that was when she threw up.
Her head flipped forward, and right there, on the polished wood, whatever little bit of food she had in her belly came spattering out. Parker leapt to his feet. “Holy shit, Scout! Where do you keep the paper towels?”
She spit and whipped the back of her hand across her lips. Moaning, without answering, she rolled to her side and collapsed on the sofa. Parker moved around, mumbling and cleaning up her mess, then thrust a glass of cool water in front of her face.
“Here, drink this.”
She sat up weakly, took a sip, then pushed it away. Why bother? He was with someone else. She stared numbly at the wall. A flat screen was mounted against the exposed brick. What a waste. She didn’t watch television. All of this stuff was a waste, severance to ease his guilt for pretending to love her. He never fucking loved her.
She vaguely registered a much more flustered Parker sitting down beside her. He seemed unable to meet her gaze. He fidgeted as though uncomfortable in his own skin.
Folding her hands and wedging them between her knees, she awkwardly sat through the silence, aware of her friend intensely observing her. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
“Scout, this isn’t like you. I . . . I figured you’d be upset, but . . .”
“I fell in love with him, Parker. I swore I wouldn’t, but turns out I don’t always have control of everything.”
He blanched. “You don’t love him. I think you loved the idea of him.”
She turned and shot him a withering look, but she was too raw to act tough. She felt her face puckering into something that surely looked pathetic. Her words should have come out with a touch of hostility, but there was no bite left in her.
“What’s that supposed to mean, the idea of him? Meaning because he’s rich? Thanks a lot, Parker. I can see you’re still thinking as highly of me as ever—”
“No, not his money,” he said holding up his hands. “I just think . . . Patras is a complicated man. From what I understand, his last relationship was a train wreck at best. I just don’t think he’s the right guy for you, Scout. It has nothing to do with you. It’s him. Men like that don’t ever truly commit to anyone but themselves.” He sighed. “You can’t love him.”
I know.
She frowned and stared at her knees. “But he was committed. I was the one . . .”
Without touching her, Parker eased forward, his gaze searched hers. “If he was so committed, he wouldn’t have told you to go, Scout.”
The truth of his words hit her like a hammer to the chest. She was so tired. So emotionally exhausted, simply mangled, yet a part of her rejected his accusing words. Defensively, she snapped, “If he wasn’t looking for commitment, why did he ask me to marry him?”
Parker jerked back, his face losing a bit of color. “He actually proposed?”
She couldn’t stop the laugh that slipped out. It was a protective blanket to her wounded ego. “Don’t look so shocked, Parker.”
“But I am . . . I mean, I’m not shocked someone would want to marry you. You’re incredible. I just . . . can’t believe he actually tried.”
“Why? Why wouldn’t he try?”
“I guess I never honestly believe his feelings were sincere . . .” he admitted quietly.
She shrugged. “Well, maybe they weren’t. When I said no, that was it.”
They sat in silence for some time until she quietly admitted, “Maybe I should’ve said yes.”
Parker sat up and grasped her hands with a desperation she wasn’t prepared for. “No, Scout. No. You’re young and beautiful and deserve the time to make up your mind. Fuck him. Look at you. You look miserable. That’s his fault! He did this to you. That’s the real him.”
She shook her head. No, Lucian was not some evil person. He was intense, but also gentle. She couldn’t believe that after so much time she didn’t know the real him. She knew a side of him the rest of the world didn’t see. That was why none of this made any sense. “You don’t know him.”
He looked appalled. “Are you defending him?”
Her vision glazed with tears again. “No, I suppose that’s stupid. It’s just . . . none of this makes any sense. We were happy, I thought.”
He scowled at the floor, and then faced her, all hostility gone. “Well, enough of that. You have a roof over your head, food in the panty, fuel in the furnace, and more than we could have ever dreamed of. You don’t need some arrogant billionaire to make you happy. Screw him. Prove that you don’t need him, that you can move on just as well.”
That’s right. He was in Paris . . . moving on.
She looked around the apartment. It was cozy, but nonetheless luxurious. She wasn’t naïve enough to believe the artistically rustic furnishings and distressed, exposed walls diminished the value of a place like this. That was Lucian, trying to find a place that didn’t appear too lavish, knowing the more posh it appeared the less comfortable she would be. But he wasn’t fooling her.
Those chipped sconces by the door likely sold for a thousand dollars a piece. This place wasn’t run-down and then fixed up. It was purposefully aged to give wealthy people an earthy impression of themselves without sacrificing any of their security. How ridiculous, making a classy building appear seedy for the whims of the rich.
She sighed. “This isn’t my place. All of these things,” she swept her hand in front of her. “He bought them. None of them are mine.”
“Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, Scout. What you have here is food and shelter. You have clothing. He owes you this and more for what he took from you. You’ll be able to sleep safely at night and work a job during the day. This is an advantage you didn’t have before. See it as such.”
Work. She told herself every day that she needed to find a job. “I’m just . . . so sad, Parker. I can’t find the energy for anything.”
His green eyes narrowed and his lips pressed tight, as though holding in a foul word that soured his mouth. He shifted until his knees were on the floor and his gaze locked with hers. “You listen to me, Scout. You’re tougher than any girl I know. I know he hurt you and I wish I could’ve somehow saved you from that, but what’s done is done and now it’s time to move on. Fuck him. He’s all the way across the world. Do you think he’s worried about you?”
Sharp pain knifed through her, and she sucked in a jagged breath.
Parker went on, ignoring
her visceral reaction to his cold words. “Our people survive, Scout, and that’s what you need to do now. You need to stop moping, assess the damage and survive. If you don’t want this place, then leave. Come stay with me. I’ll take care of you.”
The last thing she wanted was another man taking care of her. While these things didn’t technically belong to her, they were given out of affection, not obligation—maybe. Somehow that brought about a sense of entitlement, more so than taking charity from Parker would.
“I can’t live with you, Park. I need to be on my own.”
Disappointment briefly flashed across his green eyes, but he shook it away. “Fine, but I’ll help you, Scout. I’ll help you find a job. I’ll help you remember how to smile. I’ll help you laugh. And so help me God, I’ll help you forget about him.”
A world without Lucian Patras seemed bleak and pointless. However, a part of her wished she could somehow, magically, shut off all her memories of him and act as though he never really existed.
Her heart was growing addicted to sadness and becoming more and more reluctant to let his memory go. But her mind was shoving all thoughts of him away, making her insides a tumultuous and uncomfortable place. It was too painful.
She was losing her mind, suffering some sort of mental break, she was sure. With Pearl as her mother, those types of occurrences wouldn’t be too far off the mark. For the first time ever, she was scared for her own well-being.
She needed Parker to help her get through this, but she couldn’t explain why. It was too much to put into words. He’d think she’d completely lost it if he knew that she, his driven little friend always scrapping to get ahead, found it meaningless to even live in a world that did not include Lucian Patras. No, Parker would never get that.
She swallowed, shut her eyes, and nodded. “Okay, Parker. I’ll take your help. God knows I need it. But I can’t stay with you. If you want to stay here, you’re more than welcome. I’d like the company.”
His eyes searched her face and slowly he grinned. “Okay, Scout. You got a deal.”