I was falling for Violet—hard. But I was also the one who could destroy everything she was working for, everything her family held dear.
And I couldn’t tell her why I was actually in Buttercup Lake.
Not yet.
Maybe never.
Chapter Thirteen
Violet
There were two things I knew to be true. Owen made me feel terrific, and I was horrible at picking men.
I wanted to believe my picker had improved, but I knew better. I couldn’t suddenly be healed of bad dating decisions and lousy choices in men just by setting foot in Buttercup Lake.
But as I listened to Owen happily explain how much his brothers and family meant to him on the elevator ride down, I started to wonder ifI could be wrong.
Maybe I was growing and wouldn’t choose emotionally unavailable men going forward.
After all, Owen seemed very available at the moment.
The kisses signaled a mutual interest.
Things might be looking up.
“You ready for some delicious food?” I asked him.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised since I’ve been here,” he whispered, squeezing my hand.
I told the hostess my name, and she led us to the table I’d reserved before I went up to Owen’s room.
“Enjoy,” she said happily as she handed us the menus. I noticed Owen never took his eyes off me.
Another point for the businessman.
Giddiness bubbled through me as we settled at the table overlooking Buttercup Lake.
I’d spent days trying to tamp this spark down but couldn’t.
I liked being with him. There was no doubt about it.
Even when he was annoying me by not telling me anything, I wanted him to be close.
It was like I was a glutton for punishment.
His eyes met mine, and I couldn't help but grin, shaking my head at his playful antics.
Owen looked so effortlessly handsome. His blond hair, slightly tousled to the side as if he’drun his fingers through it, drove me wild.
I chuckled and realized it might have been my fingers that left his hair that way.
“Why are you giggling?” His intensity both thrilled and unnerved me.
“You.”
Owen leaned back, resting his hands on the table as he studied me and smiled at me in that way that made my heart skip a beat.
I unfolded my menu. “Tell me. How does someone like you end up in a little town like Buttercup Lake?”