Page 42 of Chips & Checks
A beat passes, painfully slow. Finally, the door opens a fraction. Violet peers through the gap, eyes wary, arms crossed defensively.
“What are you doing here?”
“You texted me,” I say, holding up my phone.
Her cheeks flush. “Damn. Oh, sorry. That was supposed to go to Ash.”
“Why Ash? She’s not here. She can’t protect you.”
Violet lifts her chin, defensive and embarrassed. “I don’t need protection.”
“I know you don’t,” I say softly. “But maybe I need to know you’re safe.”
Her gaze softens, but she glances away, embarrassed by her vulnerability. “I’m fine, Bowen.”
“Are you?” My voice lowers. “Because Chad’s violating your workplace rights and your personal boundaries again, and I’m not okay with that.”
Her mouth quirks slightly, but her arms remain crossed. “So you rushed down here half-naked in your pajamas because you’re not okay?”
Heat crawls up my neck. “Yeah, well… subtlety isn’t my strong suit.”
She arches an eyebrow, finally uncrossing her arms. “Clearly. You do know those pants leave nothing to the imagination?”
“I’m painfully aware,” I mutter. “I traumatized an elderly couple in the hall.”
Her teasing smile fades into something softer, sincere. “Thank you. I appreciate it, even though I didn’t ask you to come.”
“You don’t have to ask,” I tell her quietly. “I’m here anyway.”
Violet shifts nervously. “Why do you even care?”
“Because I want to. Because someone needs to. Because Chad doesn’t get to do this to you.”
Her gaze snaps back up, suddenly fierce. “I can handle Chad.”
“I know you can,” I say softly. “But you shouldn’t have to handle him alone.”
Violet stares at me a long moment before stepping closer. She reaches out slowly, her fingers lightly touching my chest. The hesitant intimacy steals my breath.
“You’re shaking,” she whispers.
“I’m angry.” My voice is rough. “That he thinks he can treat you like that. That you think you have to handle this alone. That you’re not responding to my texts, so I know you’re okay.”
She hesitates. “What if I don’t want you to feel responsible for me? I already have one inappropriate work situation, I don’t want another.”
I catch her hand, holding it against my pounding heart. “Too late, Vi. That ship sailed the minute I met you.”
Her eyes soften, guarded walls slipping away. “I don’t know what to do with you, Bowen Murphy.”
“Whatever you want,” I whisper. “I’ll leave if you ask me to. But I’d rather stay. I’d rather know you’re okay. And I won’tknowthat until I see for myself.”
After I step inside, she locks the door behind me and crosses her arms, shifting awkwardly. “Well… since you’re here, I guess you should stay for a while. Just to be safe from Chad.”
I clear my throat, realizing I’m still shirtless and barely decent. “Right. For safety.”
Her eyes drift down my chest, then quickly dart away. “Exactly. Totally innocent.”
I watch her carefully for signs she’s not telling me the whole story. “We could watch a movie or something until we’re sure Chad isn’t lurking around. That he’s not going to come to your room or call or text or anything. You did text back and tell him you’re off the clock, right?”
