Page 195 of Dangerous Encore
I take a long sip. The warm drink soothes something deepinsideme.
But it isn't making this anyeasier.
If Kit isn't sure, if he doesn't want tomarryme…
I don't like myoptions.
The kettle whistles. Violet pulls it off its stand and fixes a cup of green tea. She nods to the table. "Shallwe?"
I nod. "Where isEthan?"
"Same place asalways."
"Well, he's clearly not between your legs. So I'm not sure whatyoumean.
Violet blushes. "Okay, his third favoriteplace."
His second favorite place is with his guitar. So third favorite must be–"Thegym?"
Violet nods. "He's due back in about half an hour. We can go somewhere else to talk ifyouwant."
Maybe. I trust my brother, but he has a temper. Especially when it comes to men disappointing his baby sister. "Here is goodfornow."
"What's wrong, Piper? I can't remember the last time I saw you thisdefeated."
Is it really that bad? "I'm excited about the gig. It's going to be a lot of work, but it's a great opportunity. And the part is amazing. But it starts in two weeks. And it's through July. The next tour starts in July. Kit volunteered to go to Toronto with me. We'll get timetogether.But…"
"But?"
"I thought we'd get married this summer. We talked about it. We didn't have a plan, but we'd talkedaboutit."
Shenods.
"But when I talked about it." I pull my arm over my chest. It's not enough comfort. "He wasn't excited. No, it's more than that. He doesn'twantto."
"Did hesaythat?"
"It was in his voice. In his eyes. Those dark eyes… they always betray his truefeelings."
"Hmm." Violet's green eyes fix on me. She's studying me. Figuring out how to phrasethisbest.
Is it thatawful?
Her voice is even. Matter of fact. "Guys aren't always big oncommitment."
"You really think it's something thatcliché?"
"No. He seems so happy to be with you. Happier than he'severbeen."
"He is." That's why it doesn't make anysense.
"You're young. Do you really need to bemarried?"
"No. I can wait. But not if… Not if he's bidinghistime."
"Hmm." Violet tilts her head to one side. Her eyes get contemplative. "You know your relationship better than I do, but I can't see that. He looks at you like you're the stars inhissky."
"Yeah…"
