Page 61 of She Was Made for Me

I can’t help but smile back. We’re going to need all the luck we can get.

“That’s sweet, thank you.” I press the lid onto the cup, almost sad to destroy her masterpiece.

Daisy picks up a rag and wipes a nearby table. “So what are you going to do then? About Kyle?”

“I really don’t know.” I fill her in on all the details—our kiss last night, how he told me to go out with Owen, and how I hope he’s back at the house jealously waiting for me to come back from my date. “I like him so much—more than I’ve ever liked a guy before. I just need him to get over the stuff with my dad.” Daisy nods, and I sigh, rising from the table. “Anyway, I guess I should head home.”

“No way.” She shakes her head. “You need to make Kyle realize what he’s missing. Stay out late and make him think you’re having a fabulous time. Make him lose it a little.” She looks around Joe’s, then back at me. “I think this place is clean enough. Are you hungry? I know a great burger place near here.”

My stomach rumbles at the mention of food, reminding me I didn’t touch my meal earlier this evening. “That sounds really good, actually. I’m starving.”

Daisy grins in response, and I wait for her to turn off the lights and lock up, before we head out into the warm night air. As we talk over burgers, my mind strays to Kyle back at the house. Daisy’s right—the date with Owen might have been short-lived, but no way will I tell Kyle that. I’ll let him believe I had the time of my life, that I might even see Owen again. I’ll tell him whatever I need to make him think he could lose me, to make him realize I should never have gone out with Owen tonight.

To make him realize I should be with him.

24

Kyle

Four hours. Violet has been out forfour hourswith Owen. What the hell could they possibly have to talk about for that long?

Unless they’re not talking at all.

I think of that sexy red dress she wore when she left tonight, those heels that made her legs look so long and delicious, the way she’d obviously spent a lot of time doing her hair and makeup. She looked like sin, and no man would be able to resist her, least of all some twenty-something guy who wouldn’t have a clue how lucky he’d got.

Bile rises in the back of my throat. I lurch from the chair, tossing aside the book I’ve been attempting to read since she left, and pace the worn floorboards.

They wouldn’t be hooking up, would they? Not when less than twenty-four hours ago her mouth was pressed to mine, her hands were on my ass, and she almost came in my arms…

A strange cocktail of arousal and fury swarms my bloodstream and I stop at the window, peeking out onto the dark street. It was light when they left and now it’s pitch black. What’s taking them so long?

“Fucking hell,” I mutter to myself. “Get a grip.”

God, I hope she’s safe. I figured Owen wasn’t really a bad guy. A little shiny and polished, but some women like that. At least he cares about the preservation of historical buildings, I’ll give him that much, but is he good enough for Violet? Can he take care of her in the way she needs? With that quick temper and smart mouth, surely she’d bulldoze him before he even knew what was happening.

No, she needs a real man. Someone who’s strong enough, both physically, like that time I caught her when she fell off the ladder, and mentally, to match her quick wit, handle her sharp remarks, and bring out her playful side. She needs a man who knows how to worship a woman like her, knows how to touch her perfect body in just the right way and make sure she never feels the need to look for pleasure or comfort anywhere else again.

I turn away from the window and sink back into my chair, scrubbing a hand roughly over my beard. I bet that kid couldn’t even grow a beard, he’s so damn young.

Like her.

Fuck.

Dropping my head into my hands, I pull in a long, steadying breath. Jesus, what has happened to me? Last night ItoldVi to go out with Owen. I told her that nothing could happen between us and I practically pushed her into his arms. Now I’m pacing the apartment like a possessive boyfriend, murderous at the thought of him touching her.

But it’s more than that. I keep imagining worst-case scenarios in cruel, vivid detail. What if it’s not that they’re hooking up, but that something terrible has happened? My stomach hollows as I picture her alone somewhere, hurt, or—

The front door opens and I jump from my chair, relief flooding through me in a great wave. Then I realize how fucking pathetic I look, and drop back into the chair, snatching up my book and flicking it open as Violet enters the room.

“Oh.” She stops in surprise in the doorway when she sees me. “You’re awake.”

I grunt, not looking up from the page. It’s the same page I’ve been reading over and over since she left, four hours ago. I couldn’t recall a single thing it says.

She sets her keys and bag down on the chair beside me then hovers, letting tension fill the space between us. She’s waiting for me to ask how it went, and I’m not going to bite. The less I say to her right now, the better. I’ve spent the last few hours spinning out over her being on a date with someone her own age, knowing damn well it’s exactly what should be happening.

Because I cannot date my best friend’s daughter. That would be beyond fucked up.

I let my lungs deflate slowly. Now that she’s here in front of me, safe and sound, I feel myself calming down. I was only worried about her being safe, that’s all. She was out with a stranger in the city, and anything could have happened to her. It was making me a little unhinged, but now I can see she’s fine. It was nothing more than concern for her wellbeing.

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