One Night, Two Secrets

From what he’d read online, it seemed like her life was a big chaotic mess, but this interaction with Billie and his earlier conversation with Scarlet showed him how little he knew of the real woman.

Billie turned to talk to Ferrin. Alec took a bite of his food before glancing at Scarlet, who was watching him.

“You have a good friend in her,” Alec said.

“I know. It takes a lot to tick her off and even more to win her over,” Scarlet said.

“Like you?”

“Yes, just like me. It’s just that so many people think they know everything about me that I hold my close friends to a different standard,” she said. “They really have my back.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” he said. He wanted to be cool and just make small talk, but he had never been that kind of guy. He was someone who got answers; it was what made him so good at his job. He solved problems and helped companies by researching their digital imprint and finding ways to clean up the bad stuff.

“I’m glad you’re glad,” she said, a soft smile playing around her lips.

“I stink at small talk,” he said.

“You do,” she agreed. “What’s on your mind?”

“Why did you come to Cole’s Hill?”

Her face lost all color and she chewed her lower lip before wrinkling her nose and sort of shaking her head. “I’m not ready to talk to you about that yet.”

So it was something... But what?

Scarlet enjoyed meeting the Velasquez family and their friends. During the lunch, Alec took a lot of good-natured ribbing from his family members about pretending to be Mo. Scarlet wished she could laugh about it but she wasn’t there yet.

After they were done eating, Alec’s nephew, Benito, and Penny, the daughter of Kinley and Nate Caruthers, wanted to ride the ponies, so the group went back downstairs so the kids could ride. Billie was deep in conversation with Ferrin Caruthers, the daughter of illustrious college football coach Gainer.

“Hey, Scarlet, come over here,” Hadley called out.

She sat down next to Hadley, who was engaged in an intense conversation with her sister and her sister’s fiancé. Hadley leaned closer to Scarlet. “So, I figure you and I are the only ones who don’t think the fact that Mo and Alec switched places is funny.”

“Yeah. I mean I get that this family likes to joke but it was kind of a dumb thing for grown men to do,” Scarlet said.

“I agree. Do you know why they did it?”

“No. Alec has promised to tell me when we’re alone,” she said.

“Well, it’s totally Mo’s fault. You should know that to begin with. He got sick with food poisoning and didn’t want to cancel. So, he asked Alejandro to accept the award for him, and read the prepared speech.”

“It sounds so reasonable when you say it like that,” she said softly, almost to herself.

“It does. But, of course, I saw the photo of the two of you kissing and I thought it was Mo. He and I have some history, so it caused problems for us. Once we talked, I got why they did it, but it still hurt to see his name and yours linked together everywhere on social media,” Hadley said. “I think... I can’t speak for Alec but once he realized the photo was everywhere, he rushed to Mo to try to fix things. Still, I know that doesn’t make him a good guy in your eyes.”

Scarlet leaned back in the chair and tipped her head up to stare at the summer sky. It was hot, and she felt sticky and tired. Hearing Hadley’s explanation of the lie didn’t make her feel better. She was more confused than ever.

Alec should have said something to her at some point that night.

“Thanks for sharing that with me,” she said, realizing that Hadley was waiting for a response from her.

“It didn’t help, did it?”

“No. I’m still ticked.”

“Me, too,” Hadley said. “Half the town thinks I took Mo back after he kissed you.”

“They think we just kissed?” Scarlet asked.

“Well, probably more, but I’m not giving them any of my time. The thing with Mo and me is more complicated because we have a long relationship. So, I’ve definitely seen the real guy behind the hottie that everyone in the town thinks he is. I’ve seen him angry and sad and apologetic. He’s real to me. I don’t think that Alec is that way for you yet.”

“He’s not,” Scarlet admitted. “I don’t know that he ever will be.”

“If you need someone to talk to,” Hadley said, “I’m here. In fact, I’m hosting book club at the Bull Pen on Friday night if you want to join us.”

“What’s the Bull Pen? What book are you reading?”

“It’s a bar and music hall on the outskirts of Cole’s Hill. We never read a book but just call it book club so our moms won’t be on us about going out too much. Funny how a weekly book club is fine, but drinks aren’t.”

Scarlet had to smile at the way Hadley said it. “Who will be there?”

“Let’s see. My best friends, Zuri and Belle, and Helena if her fiancé, Malcolm, is working late,” Hadley said. “You can bring Billie if you want.”

“Let me talk to her and see if she wants to come. My friend Siobahn is here with me, as well,” Scarlet said. “Your book club sounds like her kind of thing.”

“Great. So, I’ll put you down as a maybe.” Hadley reached for her phone. “What’s your cell? I’ll text you, so we can keep in touch.”

After Hadley sent her her number, Scarlet realized she was starving. She hadn’t been able to eat at the buffet mainly because everyone at the table had been asking her questions and her stomach was in knots. But now she wanted to eat.

“Do you know where I can get something to eat here?”

“I’m heading there now.”

“Scarlet, this is my sister, Helena,” Hadley said. “Hel, this is Scarlet O’Malley.”

“Hello, I love your show. And I have to be honest—you’re gorgeous in person,” Helena said.

“Thank you,” Scarlet said. “Your fiancé is playing with the Velasquez team?”

“Yes,” Helena said. “He grew up hanging out with the Velasquez brothers.”

“There was tons of food left from the brunch. Come on, I’ll show you the kitchen.” She followed Hadley and found Bianca was already in there eating a plate of enchiladas.

“Busted,” Bianca said. “I’m going to be on a water and carrot stick diet after I give birth but right now I don’t even care.”

Hadley, Helena and Scarlet laughed with Bianca as she took a huge bite of her food. Scarlet made herself a plate.

Hadley left the kitchen to take a call. Bianca wiped her mouth as Scarlet and Helena sat down next to her and started eating. She was so hungry she ate too quickly, and she didn’t realize it until she felt the food start to come back up.