Page 156 of Scarred

Every time he’s looked at me lately, I’ve let myself believe for a second. Then, I reminded myself that hope can be a dangerous thing.

“I’ve seen Cayden in love before, and that boy is smitten. Give him time, and he’ll be ready to voice what his heart is already telling him.”

My heart is sent reeling in my chest, but I don’t have time to process what she just told me because her phone rings in her hand.

“Speak of the devil,” she grins, looking at her screen and tapping her phone. “Hi, Cayden. Let me get Scarlett.”

“Thanks, Mae.”

I hear his voice through the phone and immediately get butterflies.

“Scarlett, it’s Daddy. He wants to talk to you before his game.” Mae sits on the floor with her and holds the phone.

“Hi, baby girl. What’s all over your face?” He laughs.

“Cupcake,” she grins. “I did Happy Birthday at dance.”

Not wanting to intrude on his daughter's time, I busy myself with picking up the dance ribbons and other accessories I let the girls have fun with today, but it’s hard not to want to see him.

“Birthday at dance? Are you still there?” He asks.

“We are. Luna and I were just talking. She surprised Scar with cupcakes tonight. You should have seen the smile on her face when they all sang Happy Birthday,” Mae explains with a grin.

“Luna did that?” His voice is a mixture of surprise and something else that has my stomach fluttering.

“She did.” Mae catches my eye, and a mischievous look flashes across her face. “Very sweet of her, wouldn’t you say?”

“Very,” he murmurs. “Make sure to tell Luna thank you, Scar.”

“Tank you, Luna!” She yells out, causing me to giggle.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

“Is Luna standing there?” I hear Cayden ask.

“She is. Do you want to talk to her?” Mae asks innocently, but we both know she’s anything but.

“Yeah, I do.” His smile is obvious even through the phone. “Daddy will call you tomorrow, Scar. Be a good girl for Nana Mae, okay?”

She nods her head as she licks more icing off her finger.

“I love you, baby girl. All the way to the moon and stars,” he adds softly as my heart expands in my chest.

“To the moon and stars,” she repeats with a toothy grin.

“Come on, love,” Mae says, standing up. “Let’s get you cleaned up in the bathroom. Daddy wants to thank Miss Luna, too.”

She hands me the phone and gives me a wink before disappearing toward the bathroom.

I glance at the screen, and Cayden’s right there to catch me as I put my back against the wall and slide to the floor.

He’s wearing a black long-sleeve compression top that stretches across his chest, and his hair is tousled like he just ran his hand through it. I take in every detail about him as his green eyes roam over me.

“Hi,” I smile.

“Hi,” he says, his lip curling at the corner.

“Ready for your game?” I breathe, his eyes pulling me in.