Page 40 of Made for You

“I’m so sorry. I should have. I don’t want to lose you—as a friend.” I add in the last part because I think maybe that’s where I need to start over.

“As a friend huh? You were a little extra friendly that night I stayed here.” She raises a brow challenging me and pushing me to tell her more.

“I know. I don’t regret that one bit.” With my admission her face softens a little bit more. She steps further in and peers over at the fireplace.

“Are you making wood fired pizza?” Her eyes light up at the thought.

“Yeah, I see you order pizza from Clark every time we’ve been to Rebels, even if I’m not with you when you’re talking to Roman.”

She narrows her eyes, trying to figure out what I meant by that comment. Hell, I am too. I’m supposed to be making things better, not bringing up how I think she’s flirting with my friend.

“Is the pizza for me too?” she asks.

“Yes, I got all your favorite toppings.” I lace my fingers with hers and lead her to the kitchen where all her favorites are still laid across the island.

“Is this your way of asking me to stay for dinner?” She leans into me, pressing her body against mine.

“Y-y-yes,” her closeness is making me nervous again. “Yes. I am asking you to stay for dinner,” I say more confidently.

“You still haven’t asked me,” she crosses her arms over her chest, staring at me, waiting for me to invite her to stay.

“Will you stay, please? I’d really like to make you dinner.” I try to clasp her hands in mine but she keeps her arms firmly crossed.

“I’d love to, but be careful Liam, your inner nice guy is showing.” She winks, grabbing a bottle of wine from the counter.

I walk to the fireplace to check the pizza with a secret grin on my face. I was successful! She’s staying for dinner, and she doesn’t seemthatangry anymore. I just have to keep it together throughout dinner.

Violet plates the pizzas as I cut them, and we take our plates and wine over to the couch.

“I have to ask you, what are you doing over in that barn so late into the night? I thought you went to bed early?” She sips her wine.

“Why haven’t you come to find out?” I cock an eyebrow at her.

“Um, you were being an asshole to me?” she answers like I’m a dumbass who forgot.

“Right. Well. You’ll just have to come find out another night.” I’m too nervous to show anyone else my work. My furniture is all over the inn and the cabins, but no one knows I make more beyond the headboards. Inviting her into my barn is a trust exercise all on its own. Only Emma really knows what I’m doing out there because I had to convince her that the furniture wouldn’t cost us a majority of our profit.

Violet eyes me suspiciously, “Okay then, maybe I will.”

We eat in silence for a few minutes before she hits me with another question.

“Why did it take you so long to talk to me? That’s not like you. You always came to me. I guess I was never on the other end of one of your cold shoulders.”

“Because Alexander was so far up your ass this week, and the last time I came around with him, the urge to let him know you were mine was so strong, I dug myself deeper.” I get up to clear our plates.

“I’m sorry, claim me as yours? And so what if he was being friendly.” She follows me to the kitchen, anger radiating off her.

“He wasn’t friendly. He was flirting. Obviously. And fuck, the guy’s a grade A douchebag. Who the hell needs to wear a suit that probably cost more than my car while he’s sitting around Balsam Cliffs?” I throw the plates with more force than necessary into the sink.

She scoffs, “A professional douchebag who is trying to look nice. And while we’re at it, he is nice. He actually talks to me instead of just grunting at me.”

I pull her to me, flush against my chest. “He isn't nice, Violet. He’s trying to get in your pants for a little work vacation fling on the company’s dime. And I will not let that happen.”

“The fuck you will! What are you going to do about it? I can let anyone I want into my pants thank you very much.”

I lean down, and brush the tip of my nose along her neck making her shiver, “I’m going to remind you why you shouldn’t.”

She begins to melt into me, but suddenly stiffens. “No. You don’t get to do that thing I like and make me all melty for you. You didn’t talk to me. You didn’t come to me. You believedthe worst about me, and now that someone else is giving me attention, suddenly you’re sorry?”

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