Page 44 of Might as Well

Within minutes, we’re back in Zane’s car and on the way to his house, where I’ve been since he’s been home. Silence fills the air until we’re snuggled together on his couch.

“I know your emotions are probably all over the place, but I want you to think about us living together.”

Maybe it’s because I’m an idiot, or maybe it’s because he’s right, my emotions are in overdrive right now, but I ask, “Whydo you want to live together now? Because you know I’m about to be a wreck?”

“Because we’re married and that’s what married people do.”

A snort comes from me before I can help myself and it causes Zane to tense next to me.

He hooks a finger underneath my chin and forces me to look at him.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt. “I don’t know why I did that.”

He ignores me. “I love you.” I gasp, not expecting that at all despite the fact he’s already told me once. “I want to be with you and I don’t want any more of this back and forth between our houses. I thought you would be happy about this,” he finishes quietly as tears begin to fall from my eyes. “This is what you told me you wanted; do you…do you just not want it with me?” The confusion with a touch of hurt is clear in his tone.

I scramble to straddle him. “I love you too. If you want to move in with me, I would love that. You are probably the best thing to ever happen to me and I’m just?—”

“Scared,” he finishes for me. I nod. He reaches for my right hand, takes my rings off, and slides them on my left ring finger. “You aren’t alone anymore, Violet. And I’ll do whatever I can to make you happy.”

I absolutely hate myself that deep down I war over the fact if that’s even possible. I love being with Zane, but he seems too good to be true. For now, I take the comfort he gives and focus on nothing but that.

CHAPTER 14

ZANE

Aweek goes by rather uneventfully. We spend that time simply enjoying each other’s company and slowly packing my stuff and moving it into her house since my lease is up soon. Since I’m off, we’re actually heading to my parents’ for Christmas as Violet would like to see my childhood home and she feels bad that my parents have traveled so much to see us recently.

That is still a few days away, though. Today, I demanded Violet and I get out of the house. It’s like her house is a black hole and Violet gets sucked away, lost inside, unless someone reaches in and pulls her out. Since I came home from the trip where I was injured, we have barely left. Groceries have been delivered, keeping the kitchen stocked. Violet has delegated any work at her office to Kayla.

I don’t think I’ve ever spent a solid week at home without leaving. Even during my time off, I left to go grocery shopping. I left to get fresh air. I left to visit Savannah. I’m about to lose my ever-loving mind.

So, today, I’m going over to Sydney’s to see Savannah and Andrew and Violet is going into her office to help Kayla onanother round of kit shipments. We’re meeting afterward at a local restaurant to eat dinner.

“Zane,” Sydney breathes with relief when she answers the door. “I was starting to worry Violet kidnapped you and that you wouldn’t make it here until after Christmas. Savannah is gonna lose her mind.” She steps aside for me to come in. “She should be waking up from her nap any minute now.”

I follow her into the kitchen where she fixes me a glass of water and where Ian sits at their kitchen table.

“Hey, Z. How’s it going?”

“Good. Just waiting on my wrist to heal.” The team has been struggling since Thanksgiving. I’m out of the lineup for the time being, though I should be back next week if my wrist cooperates.

“What are you and Violet doing for Christmas?” Sydney asks, trying to move the conversation on to lighter topics. “Y’all can always swing by here.”

“We’re actually going home to spend time with my parents.” Before I can say another word, my eardrums burst as Savannah screams, “Z! You’re here!” She rushes over and jumps into my lap. “I’ve missed you,” she tells me in a much better tone as she throws her arms around my neck.

“I don’t even get that kind of greeting,” Ian grumbles.

“Hey,” I say to her. “I’ve missed you too. What have you been up to? What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?”

That’s all it takes for Savannah to talk nonstop for the next thirty minutes. It’s nice to spend time with my friends. I would be lying if I said I didn’t used to be envious of Ian and the family he has. That is what I’ve always wanted for myself. And now I have Violet.

When it closes in on time to meet Violet, I bid my friends farewell and drive to the restaurant. I don’t spot her car, but I text her to see if she’s here as I walk toward the entrance.

Five minutes pass with no response. Maybe her phone died? I walk in and am greeted by the hostess.

“Hey, I’m looking for my wife. Any chance she snagged us a table already?” I show a photo of Violet since it’s not like they would know her by name.

The hostess glances at the photo and then nervously shifts her gaze back to me.

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