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"So you’re good?" he asked, needing reassurance

She nodded "Yes I’m fine"

He didn’t want to leave His eyes were onfriend I was If he didn’t walk away I was going to step in andher handle it was hard If I wanted a chance with getting her alone I knew I had to let her do this Or she’d leave us both standing out here in the dark

I barely glanced his way Scarlet was one wrongwith her silently to talk to me was all I could do

She studied me a few moments then took a deep breath "We can take your truck," she said to h in relief but I didn’t "Good," I replied and held out my hand for her to take She looked down at it, then slipped her hand into ood

Shetoward h she smelled like fried country food and bleach I still wanted to inhale deeply Get as much of her soaked in as I could She didn’t look back at Mr Gasoline That ot there

"Scarlet," he called out "Do you wantyou your car?"

She turned her head to look back at hiot it I’ll make sure she has what she needs," I added with a sainst hers as I opened the passenger side door for her to cli my hand on her hips I helped her When she was in the seat she glared back at me "I didn’t need a boost"

"No? Well, I needed to puther door and walking around the front of the truck Cutting uy with the stupid na

"Are you who she ran from? Why she works herself to death?" he asked loudly

I paused Turned to face hilare with one of my own "If it was a story she wanted you to know she would have told you"

His shoulders were thrown back to stand taller "Don’t fuck with her She’s been happier lately"

I didn’t like that co told what to do I took one step toward him as I felt the darkness start to slowly burn as it raced throughup a step

"I kno to make her happy Don’t need advice on that one" Before I could say more, Scarlet was in front of me Her hands on my chest drew my attention off the fucker out there and back to her

"Don’t Just get in the truck Please" She looked scared Ofto do I wasn’t sure I didn’t want to be the reason her happiness turned to fear

I nodded and cupped her face with my hands, then kissed her She tensed for a moment only Slowly, her body leaned into mine and her lips opened for ainstlot I’d needed to ht aboutable to stop this if I started it

When he cleared his throat, Scarlet stepped back quickly, her quick breaths causing her chest to rise and fall rapidly as she gazed up at rinned "Yeah, we should"