Eventually, the meeting comes to a close. Anastasios asks me to stay back to discuss a few other projects that are on the docket. On her way out, Scarlett grins at me, clearly relieved the meeting went so well. That glittery smile reminds me of the one she was flashing Charles when I came down to bring her up to the meeting. In my pride for her, I had almost forgotten about her date tonight, but now I can’t get it out of my head.

All throughout my conversation with Anastasios after she leaves, I try to avoid seeing them together in my mind’s eye. It distracts me, and Anastasios has to repeat his questions a couple of times before he ultimately dismisses me, telling me to get some more sleep so I can focus.

I have no right to be as obsessed with this dinner as I am. Scarlett deserves to have writer friends she can talk to. Just a few days ago, I was hoping she’d find new critique partners, which makes me a hypocrite. Admittedly, I had hoped she’d reconnect with her old roommate, Mandy, or something, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers.

And yet, even though I know it’s wrong, there’s no way I’m getting any sleep tonight while Scarlett is out with that guy.

Chapter 22

Ryan

Six Years Ago

“I don’t think secluded is a strong enough word.”

Without looking, Scarlett waves a hand over her shoulder to swat at me. I take a step back, laughing as she narrowly misses knocking the glasses off my face.

“Will you please not read over my shoulder? You’re interrupting greatness here.” Her keyboard doesn’t even stop clicking as she speaks. If I hadn’t been witness to her process for over a year now, I would think she was just click-clacking at fake words to make a point, but she’s not. She really can talk and type at the same time.

Sort of. Sometimes I find little snippets of our conversation buried in parts of her draft where they have no business being. I quietly delete those for her with a soft smile, unlike when I find familiar phrases very purposefully woven into the fabric of her writing. I bask in those and let them warm me to my core.