Her sight locks onto Liam who catches her gaze. His smile brightens and he stops dancing. Making his way over to her she downs the rest of her third drink.
“What are you doing here on a work night?” He sits next to her.
“I guess I could ask you the same thing,” she nervously chuckles.
“After dinner my siblings and I decided to have a nice night out.”
“You’ll all here?” She hasn’t spotted Alexander.
“If you haven’t seen Alex it’s because he’s not here,” Liam’s smile falters slightly.
“Why?” She blurts out, then winces. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“Today is the anniversary of our sisters death,” he sighs. “Usually we all have dinner and spent time with each other but Alex always ignores us. He’s taken it the hardest.”
Her eyes widen and cheeks flush with embarrassment. She didn’t mean to make him talk about something so personal. In fact, she’s surprised he even told her.
Ellie Novak was the youngest daughter of the Novak family. She died in a car accident, Alexander was the one driving when someone T-boned their car on the passenger side.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he shakes his head. “I’m comfortable talking about it. It’s been so long that the wounds are healing. Besides, I like to talk about her. Makes me feel like she’s still here,” he fidgets in his seat for a moment. “I hate how people ignore the dead. Avoiding conversations and suppress feelings. Makes it feel like the person never existed. Like you never loved them. I loved Ellie and I love talking about her. That’s why I don’t mind telling you it’s the anniversary of her death. Tonight’s a night to celebrate her life and to celebrate living and still having my other beloved siblings.” His smile is so swoon-worthy that Scarlett nearly melts in her seat.
Not to mention his dimples…
“I lost my mother,” she brings up without thinking first. She seldom talks about her mother let alone with strangers who just so happen to be owners of the company she works for. “Cancer.”
“My condolences,” he puts his hand over his heart.
“It’s okay,” she dismisses. “I don’t remember her really.”
“So you were young when she passed?” He asks politely. “Not that I’m trying to pry.”
“You’re not. I was six when she passed, but I don’t have any memory of her.” The amnesia that left her without memories of her mother wasn’t something she was willing to confide in Liam.
His eyes narrow with questions, but he doesn’t push any further to her relief.
“Let me buy you a drink,” he offers.
“Oh no, I have to work early in the morning and I’ve already had too much. I should get going,” she looks around the room to see Jo grinding on Tristian, “but it looks like I’m stuck here for a few more minutes.”
“Then allow me to drive you home. I haven’t had a single drink.”
“It’s fine,” she shakes her head and ticks a strand of hair behind her ear. Suddenly she’s feeling bashful.
“It’s no trouble.”
“I don’t live too far from here, I can walk home.”
“At night?” He raises an eyebrow. “No.”
“No?” She mimics his expression. “I’m capable of walking myself home.”
“I bet you are,” he frowns. “I’d just feel more comfortable if someone kept you company. It’s late out and you don’t know what kind of idiots are walking around.”
He wasn’t wrong. It’s one of the cons to being a woman, you can’t walk anywhere at night by yourself. It’s not that women are weaker then men, it’s that certain men are pigs that like to prey on women who are alone and vulnerable. Being attacked is just one of many worries.
“You are here celebrating with your siblings. I’ll wait for my roommate to be finished dancing and we will head home together.”
He gives her a small smile. “Remember, anything you need Scarlett, feel free to ask.”
The handsome billionaire winks at her before disappearing onto the dance floor. Seconds after Liam left Jo storms over to her looking angry. At first she thinks Tristian did something but when she opens her mouth to yell at Scarlett she knows she’s the reason for her friends anger.
“What the hell was that?”
“What was what?”
“You were talking to Liam Novak and then rejected him.”
“How do you know I rejected him?” She crosses her arms. “How do you know he even asked me out—because he didn’t.”
“Then what did he want?”
“To walk me home.”
“To. Fuck. You.” She emphasizes.
“Well I don’t want to be fucked,” Scarlett frowns.
“Scarlett,” her friend groans. “Live a little. Liam is cute! You couldn’t have just flirted and maybe got his number or—”
“Are you forgetting I work for Novak?”
“Yeah? So? I thought you worked with the oldest brother?”
“I do.”
“So, that’s not Liam. He’s technically not your boss.”
“He technically is,” she gives her a pointed look.
Jo sighs dropping her head to Scarlett’s shoulder. “Scar, it’s obvious that you’re lonely, so you why do you push men who want to be with you away?”
Not this conversation again. “I want something more than some random guy picking me up at the bar. Is it so bad that I don’t want to take the first guy who is interested in me to bed right away.”
“No, but...you don’t even try. What’s wrong with Liam?”
Scarlett shrugs. “I don’t know. I just have a lot on my mind right now. I’d rather go home.”
Jumping off the bar stool she heads toward the exit, her eyes glued to the floor not bothering to check if Jo following behind her. As she puts distance from the club and the music fades, the sound of Jo and Tristian whispering is the only acknowledgement she has that she isn’t walking home alone.
Looks like another night will be spent with headphones in her ears.
***
CHAPTER TWO
The vibration of Scarlett’s phone rattled on her office desk. The number is unknown which is a telltale sign that it’s her father. She picks it up quickly.
“Hello?”
“Sweetheart,” her father’s voice sounds.
“Dad,” her shoulders slump in relief. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” he says quietly.
“It’s been awhile since we last talked.”
“I’ve moved again.”
“To where,” her brows crease.
“I’d rather not say,” he pauses for a heartbeat. “Is it true you are working for Novak?”
“Yes!” She says excitedly. “I love it here, they’re nice. It keeps me busy, I get to do a lot of organizing—”
“You need to quit,” he interrupts.
“What? Why?” Her smile fades. “Daddy, I don’t want to quit. I like it here.”