But the fear of what awaited her if I had seen that message far outweighed the pain. Terrifying thoughts raced through her mind. “Did Henry see the message? Did he go to Room 302?” The consequences were too awful to imagine.
When Scarlett finally pushed open the restaurant door and saw me sitting calmly at the table, she exhaled a long breath of relief.
She threw herself into my arms, gasping for air. “Honey… you didn’t see the message I sent, right?”
I smiled, shaking my head. “My phone died earlier. What message? Was it important?”
Relief flooded her features. Her voice turned syrupy sweet, like honey dripping from a comb. “It’s nothing. Just having you by my side is all that matters.”
The other team members chuckled and began to tease her.
“Scarlett, the tigress, has turned into a kitten!”
“Henry, you have no idea. Scarlett is the strongest, scariest woman on the team. But today, she’s all soft and sweet!”
“Tsk, tsk. Henry, you should come around more often. Maybe Scarlett will stop scolding us so much!”
The room erupted in laughter.
***
Moments later, Carter entered, his face composed, though the flicker of bitterness in his eyes was unmistakable. “Yes, with Henry here, Scarlett seems so… different,” he said, his smile just wide enough to mask his spite.
He raised his glass in a toast. “To Henry—take good care of Scarlett. There are quite a few folks in the General Agents Department with their eye on her.”
I played along, feigning interest. “Oh? Is that so? Who in particular?”
Carter raised an eyebrow, his grin turning smug. “Well, there’s someone on this very team who admires her.”
Scarlett’s face darkened instantly, her smile faltering as panic flickered in her eyes. She forced a laugh, her tone overly light. “Don’t be ridiculous, Carter. Honey, he’s just joking.”
Carter leaned back in his chair, his expression defiant. “Of course, Henry, it’s just casual talk. Don’t read too much into it.”
But his tone betrayed his intentions—he wanted me to doubt her. Scarlett, clearly rattled, quickly tugged on my arm, her voice trembling slightly. “Let’s go home, Henry.”
I nodded, rising to my feet. The air between us felt heavy with unspoken truths as we left the restaurant together.
As we left the restaurant, I caught Carter' gaze lingering on me—a deliberate provocation, a silent dare. The drive home was tense, the car thick with unspoken words.