Page 172 of The First Time
She giggles and whispers back.
Violet turns back to Mal, currently the only other person in attendance, currently nursing a whiskey in the kitchen, and motions for him to follow.
This house-warming party doesn't officially start until eight. And it's not really a party, not officially. It's more a gathering of friends. But Ethan has a lot of friends. His gatherings tend to grow to twenty. Or fifty. Or a hundred.
Violet smiles as she presses the office door open. "Voila." She flips the light on and motions to the framed posters on the walls—half math puns, half guitar idols.
Mal raises a brow. "Perfect."
Ethan beams.
It really is perfect. "It's sweet. Romantic. Very Ethan and Violet."
Violet smiles. "It's mostly my office." She nods to a black leather sofa in the corner then to a sleek black desk against the wall. "But it's nice, having Ethan playing on the couch while I'm working."
"Vi did most of it." Ethan lifts Violet into his arms and spins her.
She squeals as she wraps her legs around him. "Only because I—"
He tugs at her black and purple bat-print dress. "Had a specific decor in mind."
Her cheeks flush but she holds strong. Well, she looks at Ethan like she's thinking about dragging him to their bedroom and christening the black comforter for the 100th time.
Thankfully, she doesn't get a chance. There's a knock on the door.
Ethan goes to pull it open. And that's Kit. He's here. And he looks incredibly yummy in his usual jeans and button up black shirt.
It's been a few days since we've had sex.
Too many days.
He hands a bottle of sparkling apple cider, one adorned with a red bow, to Ethan.
"Thanks. I'll break it out." Ethan offers.
Kit nods. "I was gonna get you two something for the bedroom, but it turned out that's Joel's gift."
Ethan laughs.
Violet blushes.
No one doubts that Joel is actually bringing them a housewarming present of sex toys.
Kit gives me a long once over. His dark eyes fix on my chest—my low cut dress is particularly flattering—then they're on mine.
He nods hello then follows Ethan into the kitchen.
I want to follow Kit. I want to throw my arms around him and plant a deep, slow kiss on his lips.
But I can't do that yet. Not as long as this is a secret.
In the kitchen, the apple cider bottle opens. Someone is pouring it into glasses. That must be Ethan. He's laughing.
He steps into the main room with two glasses of apple cider. He hands one to me.
Ethan studies my expression. "What happened, Pipes? You look like you saw a ghost."
"Uh, just thinking." I can't say this here or now. It's his party. I can't hijack his party.
