Page 7 of Against All Odds

Violet tenses a little. “I’m okay.” Only it doesn’t look like she’s okay. Finally her eyes come to stay on mine. “Hey, Everett.”

Her voice is exactly like I remember, like silk against the skin. The way she said my name used to be my favorite thing, and hearing it again, after so long, fucking hurts in a place I thought had died.

“Violet, hi,” I say. My throat feels as though it’s closing, but I play it cool and manage to walk to her. I rest my hand on her arm and kiss her cheek. “It’s good to see you. It’s been a long time.”

She pulls her lips between her teeth and then pushes out a deep breath. “It has. How have you been?”

Bored as fuck, but it seems that’s done now.

“He’s the same, as always, other than the fact that he’s a veterinarian and a mooch.” Hazel slaps my chest. “But I can’t seem to get rid of him, not for lack of trying.”

I roll my eyes. “And she’s still as annoying as ever.”

Violet laughs softly. “That’s so great that you guys are all still friends.”

I clear my throat, trying to get the lump out. “What brings you back to town?”

I thought for sure, nine years ago, that Violet would come back and we’d find a way to work through all the obstacles. When that didn’t happen, I waited, thinking she would sell her grandmother’s house after it was left to her. That was the opening I was desperate for. However, Violet didn’t come back. Instead, she hired a property manager who comes and checks on things, and that was that.

Violet Stewart was never coming back to Ember Falls.

“I’m here for a year, actually.”

“For just a year?”

She nods. “I just took a job in town.”

Hazel squeals. “That’s amazing! God, it’s like the band just got back together!”

A whole year of being near her while she’s married to that douchebag actor in Los Angeles. A whole year of having to pretend I don’t dream about her still and imagine the life we could’ve had. Yeah, this is going to be so amazing. I internally groan and ... wait, she took a job?

“What job did you take?” I ask. I’m not sure what the hell she could be doing here.

“I’m going to be teaching at the high school.”

“Ember Falls High School?” I ask, because surely she wouldn’t be coming here to teach, not without me knowing, since my best fucking friend is the principal and would know this as well.

She nods. “Yes, I interviewed a week ago. I wanted to come say hi, but I had to get back to LA for a meeting with my lawyer, and anyway, I didn’t have the job for sure, at least I didn’t have a contract from Miles yet.”

“Miles? As in Miles Anderson?” I ask for a little clarification. I’d like to know who I need to murder and in what order.

“Yeah, I saw him for the interview. Obviously, he was surprised when I walked in, but then he offered me the job and sent the contract a day later. I packed my shit and here I am,” she says with a smile. “Are you guys still friends?”

We were—until now.

Hazel jumps in. “Yes, we’re all still friends. And wow! A year! God, we have so much to catch up on! Hey, Ev?”

I turn to look at Hazel. “Yes?”

“Don’t you have to get to the farm? Check on the foal?” Hazel asks, giving me the out I so desperately need.

“Yes. It was great seeing you, Violet. I’ll ... see you around.”

I wonder whether she’s staying at her grandmother’s place, because it’s literally next door to me.

Hazel’s eyes are warm, and there’s a level of understanding filtering behind them. I give her a wink and then get out the door. I manage to keep myself together until I’m out of view, and then I lean against my truck, feeling the weight of what just happened settle around me.

Violet is back.

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