Page 91 of Forever To Me

Maggie waves me off. “Shut up and eat, Walker.”

I grab a plate, piling on more pasta than I probably need, and take my first bite.

And holy hell. Yeah, I needed all of this. Probably seconds.

I freeze mid-chew.

Violet watches me with a knowing glint in her eyes. “Well?”

I swallow, then clear my throat. “This is…” I shake my head, pointing at my plate. “You made this from scratch?”

She shrugs like it's nothing. “Yeah.”

Mack leans forward, grinning. “So, Dad?”

I raise a brow. “What?”

Mack gestures between Violet and the food. “Can we keep her?”

Red chokes on her wine.

Maggie laughs so hard she nearly tips over her glass.

I glare at my daughter. “She’s not a stray, Mack.”

Mack shrugs. “She comes with a dog. Rip is basically part of the family now. And I like her food.”

Red sets down her fork, wiping her mouth, her eyes full of mischief. “Wait, wait,” she says, feigning offense. “You like my dog first? And then me?”

Mack nods, completely serious. “I mean, the food is really good, but Rip is, like, next level.”

Violet pretends to glare and murmurs. “Unbelievable.”

Maggie, grinning over her wine glass, winks at Violet. “Don’t take it personally, hon. Walker was just telling me how much he likes having you around.”

I choke on my drink.

Red raises a brow. “Oh, really?”

I shoot Maggie a warning look, but she’s got that damn twinkle in her eye.

Mack gasps dramatically. “Dad, do you have a crush on Violet?”

I groan. “I’m gonna eat my food in the barn now.”

Violet laughs, shaking her head, and something in my chest unwinds. God, I love her laugh.

I don’t know what the hell is happening.

But I know one thing?—

I don’t want this to end.

Chapter 22

Violet

The porch is quiet, the late-night air cool with the scent of pine and earth. We just had a relaxing thunderstorm, and I can still smell the dampness in the air. It’s the perfect sleeping weather. But I have a song I need to get down on paper before it leaves me.

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