Page 141 of Violet

He snorts. “She has no taste.”

I half go to kiss his cheek but stop myself. “I’m sorry, I?—”

“You’re allowed to kiss me. I kiss you all the fucking time.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me outrageously. Then he sets me straight. “Tomorrow I havesome meetings, but I’ll take you to a fabulous dinner. And I have a surprise: a dance class with the Emporian Ballet. A very small one with the esteemed—I forget his name, whoever the choreographer is.”

But I know. I just stare at him. “But how?”

“I’m famous. I know people.” He takes my hand. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to some others, and Clea said she’ll pick you up after the dance class and take you to lunch.”

My gaze slides to Rue’s favorite singer. “Do you think we can see her?”

He sighs. “Sure.”

We weave through people to the singer. She grins. “Asher! And you must be Violet. I’m a little bit of a Stitcher myself, so I read Queen Bee. You’re too pretty for him.” Trixie’s gaze slips to him. “Did that girl, Rue, get all the merch?”

“That’s my sister.” Oh, Rue’s going to love this story, about how nice the star is. “And she loves Queen Bee. Could I get a selfie?”

“Of course, and tell your sis that she can come to any gig or meet-up when she comes to visit. I’ll put her name on the VIP list.”

She chatters to me for ages, and somehow, along with Stephan’s presence, it makes the evening pass quickly.

It’s not until we get back to Stephan’s that I realize I didn’t panic once.

The dance class was a dream, and when I get changed, I go to where Stephan dropped me off to find Clea. She gives me a hug. “Where do you want to go? I told Stephan I’d take you anywhere you want.”

“I don’t know. I’m not fussed. Wherever you like to go, I’m happy.”

“You’re both like your brother and not at all,” she says, opening the door to the car so I can get in. She follows and tells her driver to take us to Rinaldo. “You’ll like it.”

I do. The place is untrendy, a hole in the wall, but it smells good and feels cozy when we step inside.

They clearly know her, and we’re taken to a table in the back. She orders wine and the tasting menu for two.

“I take it you come here often?”

“As much as I can. I bring my most trusted clients here, and clients who need to be out of the spotlight. It’s half shark, half babysitter, half whipping boy, this job.” She laughs. “Make those thirds.”

We sip wine, and I relax. I like her. I know why my brother slept with her—at least, I’m assuming he did. She’s gorgeous, and not interested in clinging to anyone. She’s a world away from girls on Sabine.

From girls like me.

I don’t want to cling.

“You know, I’d have said you’re not Stephan’s type,” she says, “yet I think you are. And you’re as besotted as he is.”

I look down. “I worry I’m too ordinary.”

“No. You’re different. You’re sweet and real and open. He doesn’t have that, especially here.” Then she tops off our glasses. “Oh, I meant to ask, how are the pills going? Are they working?”

I frown. Does she mean the anxiety meds Iris gave me at the dinner party? That was ages ago.

I’m trying to find something to say when she adds, “No side effects?”

This is an odd conversation. “No.”

“Good, they’re not meant to have any, but you never know. Omega contraceptives can be seen as bad form, but it’s your body. Let me know if you need more. Sabine can be a little behind the times.”

I almost spit out my wine.

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