Chapter 27

**SCARLET**

“And you’ve got yourself a date, honey.” My best friend wiggled her eyebrows, smiling meaningfully. “He’s been head over heels for you ever since forever. I can’t believe you just don’t want to see the other things around.”
“You know why, Katherine.”
Katherine and I went to the cafeteria for lunch, and Nate still didn’t show up.
“I don’t know if I would ever see Anthony that way,” I went on as we settled at a table. “He’s polite, and he doesn’t seem to get tired doing what he does.”
“Or maybe you are just refusing to see the big picture.”
I shrugged. “I see it, but it’s just not for me.”
When I learned about Katherine and Nate, I knew they were a match made in heaven. Katherine was a beautiful, intelligent, and sweet girl, while Nate was a charming guy who believed in a happy ending. But for me, I was damaged enough to know that my soul mate (if they existed) wasn’t born yet. No one could ever keep up with my issues. All of them would end up getting sick and tired of me.
“Anthony deserves someone better,” I added.
She shook her head. “And you think it’s not you? He’s kinda cute, too, you know?”
I chuckled. “He is.”
“Who’s cute?” Nate’s confused tone interrupted us. He was holding a tray of fruit and a cereal bar and sat next to Katherine. “Talking about other guys behind my back?”
“There’s this guy…” Katherine cleared her throat. “I mean, you know him. It’s Anthony. He’s asking Scar for dinner.”
“That guy? Pfft!” He shook his head. “He’s weird.” He munched on his food.
“I don’t find him weird.” Well, yeah. He always had his headset on, and he barely spoke with anyone, but I understood maybe it was just the way he was.
“Hey, I thought you were sick,” Katherine interjected.
“I feel better now.” He put his arm on Katherine’s shoulder. “I feel like I’m going to get sick more, staying in my room the whole day.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “Then, good. You are coming with us tonight.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Tonight where?”
“A double date with Scar’s friend.”
He scowled. “What? I’m not going on a double date with that weirdo.”
“Don’t you think it’s time for Scar to at least get to know the guy? He’s not that weird. We just don’t know him. It’s alright to try.”
“I know that you’re too kind, babe. I just don’t think he’s the right person for Scar,” Nate said, and he looked at me. “Don’t you agree?”
“Then who is?” I exhaled. “I already said yes, and it’s rude to turn him down now. That’s why I need you to come with me. It’s safe if you’re there; please, Nate?”
“It’s fine with me,” Katherine said.
“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “Just for tonight.”
I grinned. “Thank you. Both of you are the best!”
It was already seven when we came out of the campus. I texted Anthony about the address, and he replied right away. It was at The Knights—the newly opened restaurant bar near the square.
“That’s walking distance,” Nate said. “Let’s go. I’m leaving the car here.”
“Okay! Let’s—” Kath paused and caught my arm. “Um, Scar?”
“What?”
She pointed out something in front of us. I shifted my head to the side and found someone I didn’t expect to see.
It was Luke who was leaning against his car and looking rugged in a black jacket and faded blue jeans. He was just as gorgeous as the last time I saw him.
“What’s he doing here?” Nate whispered.
I froze. I didn’t know what to do. He was looking around the place until our gaze met. He caught my eye.
“We’re going to wait for you at The Knights. Please come, okay? I’ll try to explain to Anthony why you’re late,” Katherine said in my ear. “Make it fast.”
“I’m coming, don’t worry.”
Nate couldn’t stop glaring at Luke, but Katherine pulled on her boyfriend’s arm and dragged him along with her. She glanced at me as they trailed off.
I heaved a sigh; either way, Luke wasn’t going to let this go. The tension between us, even at a distance, was palpable.
He didn’t call or text me after I sent my last message a few days ago, and even if I longed for him that much, I had to stand firm in my decision. But I just couldn’t stop staring at his sensual mouth.
“Are you busy?” he asked.
“Yes, we’re going somewhere. My friends are waiting for me.”
“Can we talk?”
“You are already talking to me, Luke. But I have nothing to say to you.”
“Sure, but since you said you’re busy, I’ll wait, and I’ll pick you up when you’re done.
“Then what?”
“You’re coming with me, and we’ll talk about this.”
“I am not coming,” I refused right away. “What happened to us was a mistake.”
He grasped my wrist. “You already knew that, but you still agreed.”
I jerked away. “Why are you so eager with this setup when you can find a woman to fuck whenever you want to?”
He scowled in confusion. “What?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t play innocent on me here,” I snapped.
“What are you talking about? I already told you that I won’t see someone else while I’m with you, and I asked you the same thing.”
He said he would never lie to me. He told me he didn’t lie, but now he acted like I was the dumb one here.
“Then how about Stacy, hmm?” I crossed my arms. I didn’t know what came to me or why I said the woman’s name, but I just couldn’t stop thinking about her.
His expression softened in recognition. Clearly, he knew what I was talking about. “Oh, that. But she’s just—”
“Enough of this, Luke. I’m leaving.” I dismissed him and tried to walk away, but he stopped me.
“Wait.” He grabbed my arm. “How did you know about Stace?”
Stace? And he even fucking called her by a nickname. My blood pressure rose.
“Don’t touch me!” I wrenched away, stepping forward. I shook my head. I removed his hands. He didn’t even deny it. “Just leave me be.” I turned and hastily marched away.
I just couldn’t do this with him. At any moment, I was going to cry, and I would never let that happen in front of him.