“No shit. They’re going to be expecting a totally different fighter than the one who shows up. You’ve gone over Saturday’s schedule?”
I nod. “Yeah. And my office is ready. It looks like a locker room with the mats and equipment. It’ll work.”
“Good. Then let’s wrap it up here.” We head toward the cage where my sparring partners wait, and I shake out my muscles, ready to rock.
On my way out of the gym, my phone buzzes with a text.
I make two stops, and then I head home. It’s not until after I park in front of Curated that I realize home is now wherever Scarlett is.
Forty-Four
Scarlett
Gunter delivers my dress on Thursday morning.
I’m practically giddy about Sunday because it means I’ll stop waking up in bed alone. Those brushes of Gabe’s lips on my forehead in the dark as he leaves make me want to pull him back in bed and find some other way to do his cardio. I promise myself that will come after this is all over.
The garment bag’s zipper hisses, dragging me back to Gunter and the dress.
“Oh my goodness.” I gasp. The dress shimmers like liquid gold.
“You like?”
I turn to Gunter, my mouth open. “You’ve outdone yourself. This is stunning.”
“I hoped you’d think that. It’s elegant and sophisticated without being overdone, and yet daring enough to make every woman in the place jealous.”
The confidence Gunter has in his designs has always awed me. “You’re not wrong.”
“I never am, darling. And you’re going to look radiant in it. Here.” He unhooks the hanger and holds it out for me. “Run along. Try it on.”
I take it from him, marveling at the weight of the dress on the hanger. I expected it to be heavy, but it’s unbelievably light.
“What is this material?” I ask the talented man standing in my apartment.
Gunter winks. “Magic.”
I slip into my bedroom and carefully step into the dress. “Holy shit,” I whisper as the silky fabric glides over my skin, leaving a shiver in its wake.
“I’ll zip you up, darling,” Gunter calls.
I come out of the bedroom, and the only way to describe his expression is beaming.
“Yes. Absolutely, yes. Divine.”
My cheeks hurt from how big I’m smiling. “I know, right?”
“Come, come. Let me do you up.”
I give him my back, and he manages the zipper.
When I turn around to face him again, he shakes his head with a lopsided frown. “If only your mother could see you like this. She would have loved what you’ve done, Scarlett. She’d be so proud of the woman you’ve become.”
“You think so?”
“Without a doubt. If she’d known it was possible to be as happy as you look, she would have wanted exactly that for you.”
My face shifts and my smile fades. “What do you mean, if she knew it was possible to be this happy?”
Gunter turns around, busying himself with the second garment bag he brought with him. The one I haven’t bothered to ask about yet. “You know what I mean. Your mother had her demons.”
After hearing that, I’d rather know more about the bag. “What’s in the bag, Gunter?”
He glances over his shoulder. “A surprise, darling.”
Goose bumps rise on my skin, and I’m not sure why. I’ve known Gunter most of my life, and he was one of my mother’s best friends for all that time.
“My mom was happy, though. I mean, after she left my dad.”
“Yes, thank God. Lawrence was a terrible choice for her. I tried to talk her out of marrying him, but she wouldn’t hear of it.”
Metal clanks against metal, and I brace. Paranoia swims through me because suddenly I’m wondering if Gunter could be . . . if it’s possible he could be the one who has been . . . No. Gunter can’t be the troll.
Still, I hold my breath, waiting to see what he pulls out.
When he turns around, he’s holding a suit on a hanger, and I exhale.
“What is that?” I stare in confusion, slowly relaxing my hands, which had balled into fists.
“I made Gabriel a new suit from the measurements I took for the tux. I thought he deserved to be the most dapperly dressed man in the club, even if it’s not for long. You, of course, would overshadow any man in that dress, so I had to help him out as well.”
I swear, my heart squeezes. How could I ever have suspected my dear old family friend? I need to chill out about this troll business before I start assuming the worst about everyone.
“Gunter, I don’t know what to say. This is incredible. Thank you.”
“Of course, my dear. It’s my pleasure. I have to say, I approve of your choice of man, even if I didn’t expect to.”
“I didn’t know I needed your approval,” I say, raising one brow.
“You don’t, but you have it all the same. I hope you use it in place of your father’s, since he’s a miserable jackass who doesn’t know how lucky he is to have you as a daughter. I wish it had been my privilege instead, darling. Except, you know, your mother didn’t play for my preferred team.”
I step forward, and he lifts the suit to the side with a flourish so I can throw my arms around him. “Thank you, Gunter. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”
He pats my back with his free hand. “Of course, darling. Whenever you need fatherly reassurance, you know where to find me.”
I loosen the hug and step back. “You know what? I’ll take you up on that.” Tears burn behind my eyes. “I think . . . I know I’ve got to let it go. Let him go. Lawrence Priest will never be the father I need him to be.” I shake my head as I blink back tears. “But I don’t need him. I’ve got way too many other people who care about me. And besides, him not needing me as a daughter made me into who I am, and since I like me . . . I’m okay with that. It’s his loss.”
“I’ve never been prouder of you than I am, right at this moment,” Gunter says with a soft smile. “And your mother would be too.”
I nod, and the conversation I had with Meryl a few weeks ago flashes through my brain. “I’ve realized she wasn’t a saint either. She was a woman with her own issues who was trying to figure things out for herself too.”
One of Gunter’s dimples flashes. “How enlightened. Yes, I would agree with that, but I also know your mother did her best. What more can you ask from someone than that?”
“That’s true. She did.”
“So, why not remember her that way? After all, the best parts of her live on through you. Her beauty. Her drive. Her kindness.”
My mouth forms a small smile once more. “Thank you.” I meet Gunter’s eyes. “When did you become so wise?”
“I got old, my dear. My body may no longer be young, but I’ll take the perspective I’ve gained throughout the years any day.” Something else flashes in his eyes, and he smirks. “Well, most days.”
“Are you going to tell me what that’s about?” I instantly wonder if Gunter’s got a younger guy on the radar.