Page 73 of Made for You

She nods her head enthusiastically in response.

“Oh my boy!” Mom pushes past Cooper to hug me.

“It’s not a big deal.” I hug her back.

“My boy, you are in love with that wonderful girl that you’ve loved your whole life. It’s a big freaking deal!”

“Mom, almost cussed. That means it’s true.” Cooper rejoins us, popping a cookie from the kitchen in his mouth.

“Oh hush.” Mom swats at Cooper. “Wait. Why is she in New York? I thought she was here for good?”

“She was. She is. Here for good. She’s in New York for a gala for her stepfather.” I give Mom the simple, drama free cliff notes version.

“Except Liam is leaving out that there is a man here from New York who works with her stepfather and they’re in some secret plan to take the inn when it goes into foreclosure, and get Violet to be with him back in New York. But we figured him out, and thank god G paid our balance with the mortgage because now that he can’t get it, he’s leaving. Except he’s going to the same gala as Violet, so Liam needs to go now and win her back with a grand gesture, starting with showing up at the gala.” Emma takes a big breath at the end of her explanation.

“Oh dear. That sounds serious, I’m so sorry you got dragged into that, kids. I had no idea.” Mom apologizes for the millionth time about Pops’ secret.

“Ugh, those snakes have been coming for years Mom. They just don’t usually sneak around lying, or use Violet.” I shrug.

“Okay people. Not to rush us, but Lee still has to pack and get this tux and get to the airport. So can we do this love fest another time?” Emma interrupts.

Mom blinks back the building tears, and leads us to the spare room that houses Cooper’s stuff.

I slip into the tux to make sure it fits. It isn’t a perfect fit, but it’ll do for now. Coop was a little skinnier when he needed the tux for a work gala in Boston.

“You can come critique me now.” I yell to the hallway.

Mom and Emma come in, not joined by Cooper.

“Oh honey, you look so handsome.” Mom fusses over the collar of the jacket and the bowtie.

“You look good, bro. Violet is definitely going to fall for whatever you say. As long as you’re not an idiot.”

I roll my eyes at Emma’s sisterly love. Though she does have a point.

Cooper is driving me to the airport and now my nerves are kicking in. I can’t believe I’m flying to New York, and going to tell Violet that I love her. This isn’t something I’ve ever done and it’s so far out of mycomfort zone.

I thought the table for the bakery was a grand gesture but this beats it by a long shot.

I’m terrified to show up at her parent’s house. Terrified to confess that I love her. And terrified of whatever Alexander is planning with her stepfather.

Cooper parks the car at the departures area. “You ready?”

“No,” I answer honestly.

“Well you better get ready. You have one hour and forty-five minutes to get there, then you just have to keep your shit together until the gala.” He slaps me on the shoulder.

I get out and grab my stuff from the back of the truck.

“Let me know if she thinks you’re a jackass and I’ll book you a flight home.” Cooper laughs at his own joke.

“Thanks, jerk.” I smile, because this is his love language. A little shit talking means he cares.

I wave goodbye as he pulls off, leaving me at the airport.

This is real. It’s really happening.

It takes forever to get through the security line, but I finally find my gate and settle in before they post that our flight is delayed. We won’t be leaving until after midnight now, thanks to a snow storm somewhere along the path. I find a spot to settle in, and pull out a book that Violet recommended for me. Losing myself in a different world will help settle me. I wish I could have had something to carve for her, but I don’t think the TSA would have approved of my whittling knife.

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