Page 43 of Forever To Me

Damn. She’s good.

I let out a slow breath, weighing my options. She’s already got one hell of an instinct for bullshit, and if I dodge too hard, she’ll just keep coming. I need to give her something.

Something true.

Something that won’t lead her straight to the past I left behind.

I keep my voice even. "Had a baby to raise. Wanted somewhere quiet. Somewhere safe."

That part? That part is real.

Violet doesn’t say anything right away. She just studies me, like she’s trying to decide whether or not to believe me.

And for a second—just a second—I wonder if she can see right through me.

But then, she just smirks, drumming her fingers against the table.

She studies me for a beat like she’s picking apart the layers I don’t want her to see.

“Guess I can understand that,” she says finally. “There’s something about this place. Feels… safe.”

Safe.

I swallow, looking away.

She has no idea how hard I’ve worked to make it that way.

By the time we finish cleaning up, it’s past midnight, and the air outside is cool and still.

She stretches, letting out a little satisfied sigh, and I have to force my eyes away.

“Thanks for letting me help,” she says. “You need me tomorrow?”

I know what I should say.

I should tell her no.

I should tell her I don’t need her.

But the words don’t come.

“Yeah,” I say instead, my voice quieter than I mean it to be.

She smiles, slow and soft like she knows exactly what just happened.

And just like that, I realize I’m in trouble.

Because I don’t let people in.

But Violet Wilson is already halfway through the door, and I feel like I couldn't stop her even if I tried.

We lock up and head out to my truck as I dump the trash in the dumpster.

The night air is crisp, carrying the distant scent of pine and the lingering hum of the town settling in for the night. The streets are quiet, and it’s my favorite time of night.

Except now, I’m standing next to Violet, watching her pull on a hoodie over her tank top, her hair a little messy from a long night, and I can’t ignore the familiarity of it.

She looks just like she did that first night.

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