Scarlett's Secrets (Complete)

Chapter Thirteen - Making plans

Caleb 

It has been a couple of days since the night I kissed Scarlett since the night she ran away from me. I had not heard from her since the text she sent me. I had tried contacting her, but nothing. And I was miserable. I was dreading work today. 

“Still nothing, buddy?” Nate asked. 

“No,” I sighed, “I don’t get it, we were getting on great, what can change in a matter of seconds?” I added, running my fingers through my hair. 

“I don’t know. I am sure there is a valid reason for it, maybe she is busy with work or something,” He said, trying to make me feel better. 

“Maybe,” I said, but I had a feeling that was nothing to do with it. 

“You never know Caleb; she might come and see you at work today,” Nate said with a laugh at the end.

“Nate, you are not even funny.” I scowled at him.

“You know I’m just having you on mate, I know you like her,” Nate said, looking at me with a slight sadness in his face, “You want a latte?” He asked.

“Yes please,” I responded, “I just need to pop through the back and get something, won’t be long,” I said as I started to walk away. 

When I got through the back, I just sat down in one of the seats through the back and put my head in my hands. I feel so lost. I just don’t understand what has happened. I’ve never felt so connected to someone, but now I feel disconnected. 

Is it possible she never enjoyed the kiss as much as I did? No, that can’t be it because she seemed into it, and you can’t fight that chemistry between, that connection. That kiss was everything. Maybe it was for the best that she has given up on me because I could never be candid with her. If she knew the real me, she would run anyway. 

I grabbed my hair in frustration. I had to pull myself together and get through this day. I still had a job to do. I headed back through, Nate standing waiting for me, a smirk on his lips. Why was he smirking at me? 

“You have a visitor buddy,” He smiled. 

“No, Nate, we get regulars, not visitors,” I said, walking past him.

That’s when the luscious red locks caught my eye, Scarlett was here—just sitting at a table looking down at her book. So many questions were flowing through my mind right now. I could feel the nerves in my stomach, what am I going to do. 

“How long has she been here? Has she ordered yet? Did she ask for me?” All the questions came flowing out as I stood staring at Nate, awaiting the answers.

“Wow, you need to calm down mate, she has only been here like two minutes, and no, she hasn’t ordered or asked for you. She took off her jacket and opened her book,” Nate said, “Now stop questioning me and go over there. I have stuff to do,” Nate added before heading off to get a customer’s order. 

I took a deep breath before heading over to her table. My palms were sweating the closer I got. I see she had my jacket sitting on the chair next to her. 

“Scarlett,” I stammered out. 

She slowly turned to me, regret taking over her face. 

“Caleb, I am sorry,” She whimpered out, “I should never have run off that way I did,” She added. 

“Then, why did you?” I sighed. 

“It is a complicated story, that I can’t tell you about, no matter how much I want too,” She said, “But, I promise it isn’t because of you,” She added.

“I am struggling to understand; I thought we were getting on well then you just upped and left!” I said quietly.

I could feel my eyebrows coming down in confusion. 

“Caleb please, I don’t want to do this; I want us just to get on like we were,” Scarlett said, looking at me with a lot of sorrow in her eyes. 

I could see that she was hurting and really didn’t want to talk about it. I didn’t know what to do or say. 

“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” I asked with a small smile.

“Yes please, can I have a hazelnut latte and a piece of carrot cake?” Scarlett said quite chirpy and smiled back at me.

“I will go and get them for you,” I said as I turned to walk away.

“Caleb, I brought you your jacket,” Scarlett called out to me.

“Thanks, I’ll get it later.” I walked away towards the counter to get Scarlett her order. 

I wanted to ask her why, but she wasn’t ready to tell me. I wouldn’t push her. It would be hypocritical of me if I did because I am not frank with her either. 

“See, you were worrying about nothing,” Nate smiled. 

“I wouldn’t be so sure, something isn’t right,” I sighed, “Can you handle the floor, only for a bit until I sit down and talk to her?” I added. 

“Yes, we are pretty quiet at the moment,” He said, “I can handle it for a bit,” He added. 

Well, if she wants me to sit with her anyway, that is. I got myself a glass of water because I’ve already had my fair share in coffee today, so I’ll stick to water now. I can do this, nothing to it; just walk over and ask to join her; that’s all I need to do. I get the tray and put my water on it then start making my way over to her table. I can feel the sweat beginning to form droplets on my forehead; why does she make me feel this way. 

“Hi, here is your coffee and cake,” I smiled, sitting them down. I sat down the glass of water as well.

“I didn’t order water but thanks anyway,” Scarlett said, smiling brightly at me. 

“That’s my water. I was hoping to join you,” I just stood waiting for a reply from her.

“Yes sure, if you have time that is?” Scarlett smiled, looking at the chair across from her and nodded towards it. 

I feel a little more at ease after she said I could. I sat down, taking a large drink of my water. Scarlett was watching me with a raised brow. 

“Thirsty,” I said softly. 

She giggled, taking a sip of her latte. Neither of us says anything for the next few minutes, but her eyes were on me, and mine were on hers. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Scarlett reached over the table, placing her hand softly over mine. 

“Are you OK?” She asked softly. 

“I am just nervous and confused, I guess,” I sighed. 

She links her fingers through mine, and I let her. 

“I am sorry, I know that is my fault,” She said softly. 

“Scarlett I will not and never will put pressure on you to tell me anything. I feel that we have a good connection,” I said as I looked at her, “I just want you to know I’m here to listen to whatever is going on,” I said with kindness to my voice placing my other hand over our already connected hands. 

I meant it. I want Scarlett to know that she can talk to me about whatever she wants. But I don’t want to tell her too much about my past, and I don’t even know if I want to tell her anything as it will one hundred per cent scare her off. No one wants to be with someone who brings trouble with them, dangerous kind of trouble. 

“Maybe we could spend some more time getting to know each other?” She said her face was lighting up with a slight side smile. 

“Yes, I would like that,” I let out a big cheesy grin. 

I need to go and check in with Nate, but I don’t want to leave this table or Scarlett’s hands.

I looked around, but there weren’t too many people around. I looked at Nate; he seemed to be doing alright. Five more minutes and then I will get back to work. 

“Me too, maybe we can hang out tonight? I can cook you dinner?” She suggested. 

“Or we could cook it together?” I said. 

She smiled and nodded. I couldn’t stop myself, and I found myself reaching over the table to press a soft kiss to her lips, well, it was more like a peck than a kiss. She let out a soft moan before we pulled apart. 

“Come by after your shift? I will give you my address,” She said. 

“Yes, I will bring dessert and a bottle of wine,” I smiled. 

“I am happy we are doing this, and I’m on a night shift tomorrow so  you can keep me up late then I will sleep during the day,” Scarlett said, a sexy smile playing on her lips as she looked at me. 

“Yes, I can do that. I am on a back-shift tomorrow. I don’t start until two p.m.,” I said, with a smirk, followed by yet another wink. 

Scarlett let out a giggle. Why do I keep winking? I feel like an absolute plonker. I am sure there is a thing as too much winking. 

“You are sexy when you wink at me,” Scarlett said.

 She leant over the table and kissed me.

“Should you not be getting back to work? Nate looks quite busy with orders,” She added softly.

“I suppose I should get back and help out. I’ll let you eat your cake in peace,” I smiled and stood up to walk away.

“I will come and say goodbye before I leave,” She said. 

“Please do,” I smiled, “I can’t wait to see you later,” I added. 

“Me too, now go and get back to work,” She laughed, shooing me off. 

I chuckled, pecking her lips one last time before heading back to work. Nate was smirking at me. He never said anything, but I knew why he was smirking, he saw everything that happened. 

My mood has surly picked up now. I was excited about seeing her later and having her all to myself with no one else around. I am glad she never gave up on me.