Page 6 of Dangerous Encore
Inod.
"Good." She brings her mug to her lips and takes a sip. Her eyelids flutter closed as she lets out a soft moan. "Fuck Ethan, you're too goodatthis."
"Never stopsayingthat."
Her laugh dissolves the tension in the room. "You didn't get enough positive feedback?" She nods to the master bedroom/bathroom. "I definitely lost track of how many times I said 'Fuck,Ethan.'"
"It was at least adozen."
"Braggart."
My smile spreads over my cheeks. God, it feels so good sitting across from her at breakfast. It feels so good talking about nothing withViolet.
She takes another long sip of her drink. "Thank you. For breakfast.Andthis."
"Anytime."
She nods, but there's something in her eyes. It's notanytime. It's anytimeI'mhere.
Which is barely halfthetime.
No, I'm projecting. Right now, the only thing in Violet's eyes issatisfaction.
She downs half her drink then moves to her plate of eggs. She chews, swallows, takes another bite, talks with her mouth full. "These too." She swallows. "You're multi-talented, EthanStrong."
I cock abrow. "Yeah?"
"Well, if you're right about a dozen…" She takes another bite. Her eyes go to the clock on the wall, the one with guitars for numbers. "Fuck, is thatright?"
I check the time on the microwave behindus. "Yeah."
"I better hurry." She takes a quick sip. "Are you coming? I know it's not really the most exciting decision in the world, which cake we're getting, but we were supposed to decide twoweeksago."
"You want methere?"
She nods. "Otherwise, it's just me andPiper."
"You sure you want me there? There won't be much left for meandyou after Piper hasherway."
"She's notthatbad."
I nod. "She's worse." My little sister has quite the fondness for desserts. And she has quite the affection for Violet. She was over the moon when Violet asked her to be maid ofhonor.
No doubt, she's been pulling my weight with weddingplanning.
Not that it will stop me from teasing her about her sweettooth.
"How soon do we have to leave?"Iask.
She looks to the clock then back to me. "Twentyminutes."
Inod. "Done."
"I, uh…" Her eyes flare with something I can't place. "I'm going to find myshoes."
I watch herwalkaway.
Violet has to go through so much of her life alone. Because of me. Because of mychoices.
