Chapter 20

I had barely set my fork down when Mary appeared again, this time in a flurry. Her apron was askew, her cheeks flushed, and she looked far more hurried than usual.

“Miss Sabrina,” she said quickly, “come outside, please. There’s something you must see.”

Her tone was urgent but not troubled, if anything, it carried a strange, almost giddy energy. I blinked at her in confusion, napkin still in my hand.

“Outside?” I asked, but she only nodded, eyes bright.

“Yes, outside. Quickly now.”

“Is everything okay?”

But she didn't answer. I pushed my chair back, curiosity rising. Just as I got to my feet, the heavy door to the dining room swung open. And in came Scott.

He filled the doorway, as he always did, tall and confident, dressed impeccably in a dark, tailored suit. His presence swallowed the room whole, and for a heartbeat, everything else faded.

Before I could speak, he crossed to me in three strides, pulled me into his arms, and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was soft, lingering, a whisper of warmth that made my knees weak. When he pulled back, his arms still cradled me close, his scent was a mixture of cedarwood and faint cologne. They wrapped around me.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured against my hair, his voice a low rumble that stirred something deep in my chest. “Did you sleep well?”

I laughed lightly, leaning back to look at him. “Sleep well? Scott, you left me there to sleep the whole day. It’s practically afternoon.”

His lips curved, eyes glinting with amusement. “I couldn’t wake you. You looked too beautiful sleeping. Like an angel, I had no right to disturb.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I bit back another laugh, shaking my head. “Flattery, Mr. Wendell.”

“Truth,” he countered smoothly. His thumb brushed my cheek before he finally loosened his hold, though his hand didn’t leave mine.

I tilted my head, curiosity nibbling at me. “So… where did you go off to this morning?”

He smiled then, that enigmatic, knowing smile that always made my heart stumble. “I went to get something for you.”

I blinked. “Something for me?”

“You’ll see.”

Still holding my hand, he led me toward the door, Mary trailing behind us with the satisfied air of someone who already knew the surprise waiting outside. My pulse quickened with each step, curiosity growing sharper until the grand doors opened and sunlight spilled in.

And then, I stopped dead.

Parked at the base of the sweeping drive, gleaming under the afternoon sun, was a car that looked like it had driven straight out of a dream. Sleek curves, immaculate paint, chrome details polished to mirror brightness. The way it caught the light made my breath catch.

“A car?” I whispered, hardly believing it.

“Not just a car,” Scott said beside me, his tone rich with satisfaction. “A Rolls-Royce Dawn. Brand new.”

I knew enough to understand what I was looking at. A car worth around three hundred thousand dollars, give or take. Luxurious, decadent, entirely unnecessary, yet so perfect it made my chest ache.

My hand flew to my mouth. “Scott… oh my God.”

He turned to me, his eyes drinking in my reaction, clearly pleased.

I laughed, half disbelieving, half overwhelmed. “You bought me a car? It’s a car!”

“Apparently,” he said, as though still amused at his own decision.

“But why? Why did you get me a car?” I smiled.

“I don’t know why I did it. I just woke up this morning, drove to the dealer, and bought the first car that caught my eye. And it happened to be this one.”

Emotion welled in me, thick and hot. I threw my arms around him, hugging him so tightly my cheek pressed against his chest. “Thank you. Thank you, Scott. It’s… It’s incredible. I don’t know what to say.”

His arms folded around me, strong and protective. “You deserve it, Sabrina. And more.”

I pulled back slightly, still grinning but shaking my head in disbelief. “There’s just one small problem.”

His brows arched. “Problem?”

“I can’t drive.”

The admission fell out of me, sheepish and small, like a confession I’d been holding too long.

Scott blinked, then laughed quietly, the sound low and full of fondness. “That’s not a problem. It’s just something to fix.”

Before I could ask what he meant, another voice slid into the moment.

“Well, lucky for you, Sabrina,” Ace said smoothly.

I startled, spinning toward the source. He stood near the steps, freshly showered and changed into crisp clothes. He wore a navy button-down tucked into dark slacks, the faintest whiff of cologne drifting with him. His hair was still damp from his shower, styled back just enough to look effortless.

He looked infuriatingly put together. And far too smug.

“I can teach you,” he finished, smile tugging at his lips.

My heart sank. “No. Absolutely not.”

Ace chuckled, stepping closer, his hands in his pockets. “Why not? I’m a great driver. And I’ve got all the patience in the world.”

I turned immediately to Scott. “Scott, no. I don’t want him teaching me.”

But Scott, maddeningly calm, simply gave me that steady, practical look. “Why not, love? He’s offering. You need someone who can commit the time. I’d do it myself, but—” He gestured vaguely toward his looming responsibilities.

“Exactly,” Ace said, seizing the moment. “You’ll be in safe hands.”

Safe hands? I nearly snorted. More like hands I’d rather stay far away from.

“Scott—” I tried again, but he silenced me gently with a hand at the small of my back.

“It’s final,” he said softly but firmly. “Ace will teach you. Once you’re good enough, I’ll arrange for you to get your license.”

I opened my mouth, ready to protest again, but the certainty in his eyes stopped me. He had already decided, and there was no undoing it.

Ace’s smile widened, satisfaction written all over his face. He gave me a subtle wink, like a private taunt, and my stomach knotted with frustration.

I exhaled sharply, forcing a polite smile for Scott’s sake. “Fine,” I muttered under my breath. “But only because you said so.”

Scott chuckled, pressing another kiss to my temple. “That’s my girl.”

Ace’s gaze lingered on me just a second too long, and I knew this was only the beginning.