Page 28 of Everlasting Love

On my way past the mall, I pull in at the last moment and park. I don’t know what I’m looking for exactly but I don’t want to show up empty-handed for the girls. I want to do something nice for them during this awful time. I wander into the bookstore. Kate always says that books make the best gifts, and I trust her judgment since she’s a teacher. I wander through the kids’ section but nothing captures my attention. I notice a sign out of the corner of my eye that promises good things so I wander over to take a look. The section is full of music books so I browse the shelves until I find a music diary I think Poppy will love. Toby was saying that she could easily write some of her own tunes with the way she played around with the arrangements for the concert so this should work. I tuck it under my arm and go in search of a book for Jasmine. She loves being outside in the garden and spending time in nature, so I head to the kids’ science section to look for a book I think she might like. None of the books look age-appropriate, so I move to another section. Browsing the books, I don’t know what I’m looking for and can’t make up my mind.

A woman approaches me from the side. “Hi. Can I help you find something particular today?”

“Uh, hi. Yeah. I’m looking for a book for a young girl who loves gardening and spending time in nature. Do you have anything she might like?”

The woman’s face lights up. “I do.” She takes three steps away and bends down to collect a book from a low shelf. She carries it to me and displays it with a flourish. “How about this one? It’s really popular and it’s a timeless classic.”

I read the title.The Lorax. I look at the woman as I flick through the colorful pages. “What’s it about?”

“It’s about the Lorax, a little guy who becomes an advocate for the trees. A business owner is destroying the trees in the name of progress and the Lorax prevents further progress bystepping in and speaking on their behalf. It’s a great story and perfect for a little nature lover.”

I nod. “I’ll take it. Thank you.”

I purchase both books and step out of the store to head back to my car, only to be distracted by a tea shop. I know Violet enjoys her tea. Would it be weird if I bought her a gift? She’s probably worried about her sister and it may put a smile on her face even if for a moment.

What could it hurt?

I step inside and make my way around the store looking at all of the fancy teacups and pots available. I want something practical, so I settle on a double-walled plastic tumbler with a green screw lid and tea infuser. It should be durable enough for her to take to work. It doesn’t have any fancy designs like the teapots and cups, but it’s useful for her day-to-day activities. I buy it and climb into my car.

Stopping at Toby’s place, I throw a few things into an overnight bag for him and make sure his place is secure before heading across town to pick up Violet.

That woman.

She’s so far out of my league and off limits, it’s not funny. Yet, she’s the first woman in a long time that’s woken something long dead inside me and garnered my interest. It’s obvious she doesn’t trust easily. Whatever happened with her ex has definitely hurt her and left her scarred.

It’s interesting to think that we both carry scars.

Our scars may be different but they’ve still left a lasting legacy that impacts us both in the way we respond to situations and people. I saw the way she held back her pain at Thanksgiving, escaping the room to cry in private. I followed her but let her have her moment in peace. She looked fucking broken, and I wanted so badly to scoop her up and promise to keep her heart and soul safe.

Ha!Yeah, because you’ve done a stand-up job of keeping the people around you safe so far.

I shake my head and try to dislodge the image of her crying from my mind. Instead, focusing on how her dress hugged her curves and showed the athletic line of her legs. Her slim waist and wide hips looked fucking sensational leading to shapely thighs and strong calves. What I wouldn’t give to have the privilege of tracing the length of her body with my tongue.

Great. I huff with frustration. Now I’ve got a boner.

I turn up the radio and focus on the mindless chatter of the announcers—I swear they talk more than they play music. It’s not long before I pull into Rose’s driveway and climb out of my car. I collect the gifts from the passenger seat and close the door.

When I spin around to face the house, I suck in a sharp breath. Bundled up on the front step sits Violet. She looks small and fragile, even though I know she’s strong and capable. When she raises her head, the sight of her swollen eyes and red nose stops me in my tracks. Even though it’s a sunny day, the temperature is downright chilly but I don’t think it’s the reason for her red nose. The closer I get, the more details I notice. Like the glistening tracks of tears and the slight shake of her shoulders. The shadows beneath her eyes and the shakiness of her hands. I lengthen my steps and close the distance, then drop to my ass beside her on the top step. After I put the gifts down, I turn to her.

She’s so damn beautiful.

“You okay?” I could fucking punch myself in the face. What a pathetic question. As if she’s okay, dickhead.

She wipes her finger beneath her nose and looks away from me, shrugging her shoulder. “I-I’ve been holding it together for the girls since I found o-out about C-Cass.” She breaks into a loud sob and she buries her face in her hands.

Wrapping my arm around her shuddering shoulders, I tug her firmly into my body, noting how well she fits against me.Perfect. I drop my lips to the top of her hair and plant a reassuring kiss there as I hold her to me trying to comfort her the best I can but I’m out of my depth here. Crying women aren’t something I’ve been taught to handle. But I do my best. I hold her, stroking her silky hair and laying gentle kisses on the top of her head. I let her cry just as Nix allowed me the space to fall apart last night. She needs to get it all out as I did. I fill my lungs with her delicate scent—wildflowers—which is beautifully understated and so uniquely her.

The longer we sit and the more she cries, the thicker the blanket of guilt wraps around me. She’s devastated because of a decisionImade. One that left Cassia and Sam vulnerable to Jake. It’s another burden I’ll carry for the rest of my damn days. It reminds me of the choices I made and the choices I continue to make that fail the people around me.

She pulls back, putting space between us, and digs into her purse to pull out a tissue. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” Her eyes skate all around us, never quite landing on me and I wonder if she blames me for what happened.

“No need to apologize. I’m so fucking sorry Cass and Sam were so badly hurt that they ended up in the hospital. And I’m sorry you’ve all had to deal with the worry you have. If I could somehow change what happened and make a different decision, I would. You have to believe if I could, I would undo everything that’s happened.”

Her eyes narrow as she draws her brows low and a crease forms between them. I want to wipe her pain away with my thumb and remove her worry and anguish. If only it was that easy. “What do you mean?”

I swallow past the lump in my throat and man up. I need to own up to my mistake to the people that matter. And Violetmatters. She matters a lot. I rub my hand over the top of my head. “I decided to leave Len behind to look after the girls so I could stay with Toby. I felt he was the one at greater risk fromfans. I never factored in Jake, and that was my biggest mistake and my true regret.” I do my best to keep my eyes locked on Violet’s to show her how sincere I am in the hopes that she understands the regret I’m drowning in.

She places her cold hand on mine as she shakes her head back and forth repeatedly. “No,” she whispers. “How could you have known Jake was so unhinged? You made the best decision you could with the information you had.” I shake my head in denial and she squeezes my hand. “You need to listen to me. None of us hold you responsible in any way. You shouldn’t either.”

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