Chapter 102 *
Scarlett's POV
I came back to the kitchen fifteen minutes later. My face had finally stopped burning.
Damon was still at the sink. The entire counter was spotless. Not a single dish left.
He'd even wiped down the stove. Organized the dish rack. Folded the dish towel into a perfect rectangle.
"Wow." I looked around. "You really went all out."
"I wanted to make sure it was clean."
"It's cleaner than when I moved in."
He dried his hands. Looked around like he was inspecting his work.
Then I heard it.
Thunder.
Loud. Close. The kind that makes your bones vibrate.
I walked to the window. Looked out.
"Oh no."
The sky had turned completely black. Rain was coming down in sheets. Lightning split the sky every few seconds.
"That came out of nowhere," I said.
Damon walked over. Stood beside me at the window.
Another crack of thunder. So loud the windows rattled.
"The weather report didn't say anything about a storm." He pulled out his phone. Started checking.
I watched the rain hammer against the glass. The street below was already flooding.
"You probably shouldn't drive in this," I said.
He didn't answer. Just kept scrolling through weather updates.
"Seriously. It looks dangerous out there."
"I've driven in worse."
Another lightning strike. This one felt like it was right overhead.
The lights flickered. Went out completely.
We stood there in darkness for three seconds.
Then the backup power kicked in. Emergency lighting turned on. Dim but functional.
"Okay." Damon put his phone away. "Maybe I'll wait it out."
"Good call."
We moved to the living room. I turned on the battery-powered lantern I kept for emergencies.
Damon sat on the couch. I sat on the chair across from him.
The silence was awkward. Really awkward.
Outside, the storm raged on. Thunder. Lightning. Rain pounding against the windows.
Inside, we just sat there. Not talking. Not looking at each other.
I checked my phone. Nine forty-five.
Five minutes passed. Felt like five hours.
"So..." I started.
"So." He looked at me.
More silence.
This is so weird. What am I supposed to say?
I shifted in my seat. "The storm should pass soon."
"Probably."
"Weather in New York is unpredictable."
"Very unpredictable."
Oh my God. We sound like robots.
Another ten minutes crawled by.
I checked my phone again. Nine fifty-five.
Damon was sitting perfectly still. His posture was straight. Hands resting on his knees.
He looked like he was waiting for a business meeting to start.
Meanwhile I was slouching in my chair. Playing with my phone. Trying not to die of boredom.
"Do you want something to drink?" I asked. "I have water. Coke. Some juice."
"I'm fine."
"Snacks? I have chips somewhere."
"No thank you."
Back to silence.
I started counting the seconds between thunder crashes. Twelve. Fifteen. Eleven.
At ten thirty, I stood up. Walked to the window again.
The rain showed no signs of stopping. If anything, it was getting worse.
"I don't think this is letting up anytime soon," I said.
Damon came to stand beside me. Looked out at the storm.
"You're probably right."
We stood there. Side by side. Watching the rain.
His arm was inches from mine. I could feel the warmth radiating off him.
Don't think about it. Don't think about how close he is.
I stepped away. Walked back to the couch.
"You should probably just stay." The words came out before I could stop them.
He turned around. "What?"
"I mean." I gestured at the window. "It's almost eleven. The storm isn't stopping. Driving in this would be stupid."
"I can manageâ€""
"Damon." I gave him a look. "You'll hydroplane and crash into something. Just stay until morning."
He was quiet for a moment. Thinking.
Then he nodded. "Alright."
Relief washed over me. I didn't want him driving in this. Even if things between us were complicated.
"I have a guest room," I said. "It's small but the bed's decent."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Another pause.
"You'll need pajamas." I stood up. "Let me see what I have."
I walked to my bedroom. Started digging through my closet.
Then I found it.
The matching set.
Oh no.
I pulled it out. Looked at it.
Bright yellow. Rubber duck design. Onesie style.
I looked at the duck face printed on the chest. The little duck feet pockets. The duck tail sewn onto the butt.
This is ridiculous. I can't give this to Damon Wolfe.
But what else did I have? Everything else was women's sizes. The store had forced me to buy both. I'd wanted the women's one. Thought it was cute.
But they only sold them as a set. "Matching couple's pajamas!" the saleswoman had said. "You have to buy both."
I'd argued. She wouldn't budge.
So I bought them both. Shoved the men's one in the closet. Never thought I'd actually use it.
Until now.
These were unisex. XL. Would probably fit him.
I bit my lip.
He needs something to sleep in. This is all I've got.
I grabbed both onesies. Walked back to the living room.
Damon was checking his phone. He looked up when I entered.
I held out the yellow bundle. "Here."
He took it. Unfolded it slowly.
Then he just stared.
His expression didn't change. But I saw his eye twitch.
"It's all I have," I said quickly. "I know it's not ideal but it's clean and it'll fit andâ€""