Page 54 of Sweet Escape at Bayside
“I’m a talented multitasker,” he said huskily. “I can manipulate materials and turn you on without missing a beat.”
She breathed deeply, preparing for his titillating assault.
THEY FINISHED THE sculpture and prepped it for the drying process, and Andre teased andpreppedhis girl for a special night. Sculpting with Violet had always been an incredibly sensual process. Andre had never felt that way when he was around other sculptors, but Violet was a passionate woman, and it carried over to every part of her life. He had no idea how other guys could keep from being lulled in by her innate sensuality.Although, he mused as they parked down the street from the coffeehouse later that evening,you probably scare the life out of most guys.Wimps.
Motorcycles, trucks, Jeeps, and dozens of other vehicles lined the narrow road leading to Common Grounds Coffeehouse. They left their helmets on the bike, and he reached for Violet’s hand. “Why do they hold the rally here? It’s such a small place.”
“Dwayne’s family wanted to honor Ashley’s memory in a place that accepted everyone, with no prejudices, so anyone, no matter how alone they feel, would know they were welcome. Can you think of a better place?”
“No, I guess not.”
Children ran around on the grass beside the building with adults watching them from the perimeter. Music blared from the band playing on the patio, where people of all ages danced and mingled. A handful of guys in leather jackets stood out front smoking and talking.
Andre put his arm around Violet, holding her tighter. “How’s it going?” he asked as they walked past the smokers.
“Good, man,” one of them mumbled.
They walked inside, where it was standing room only. Burly bearded guys in leather jackets stood shoulder to shoulder along the wall, arms crossed, as if they were guarding the property. Women and children gathered around a buffet table filling their plates, while waiters and waitresses rushed from table to table. Gabe waved from the corner of the room. Andre waved back, but she was already tending to another customer.
The line moved, and Elliott hollered over the music, “Violet! Andre!” He gave them high fives and said, “Steph saved you seats on the patio.”
Violet put her hand on Elliott’s shoulder and shouted, “How you holding up?”
“Okay. Thanks.” He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Are you taking the mic tonight after the rally?”
“Yeah, Vi. Are you going to take the mic tonight?” Andre asked.
She had yet to get up and say anything in front of the group, though Andre had asked her to every time they’d come. He was dying to get a peek into that side of her, and he had to admit that it stung knowing others had seen what he had not. Steph and Cory both told him that Violet would never get up and take the mic when asked.She likes to do things at her own pace. She’s got to feel the draw.
Boy, did he know that.
“Don’t hold your breath, you two,” she said. “We’ll catch you later, El.” She grabbed a paper from in front of Elliott and shoved it in Andre’s hand. “You’ll need this later. Put it in your pocket.”
He shoved it in his pocket as they moved through the crowd. Violet drew a lot of attention in her second-skin leather pants and leather jacket.
“Vi!” Steph waved them over when they stepped out onto the patio. She was sitting with Cory, Rowan, and Joni. A large pizza sat in middle of the table beside a tray of nachos and a bowl of breadsticks.
Joni jumped off her seat and ran over to them. She took their hands, grinning up at them as she said, “Hi, monkey! Hi, frog!”
Andre tousled her hair and said, “How’s it going, chinchilla?”
Joni giggled and pulled them over to the table. She climbed onto Rowan’s lap and said, “Daddy, what’s a chilla?”
Rowan whispered something in her ear that sent her into a fit of giggles. He lifted his chin and said, “Hey, sugar,” to Violet, then to Andre he said, “Hey, man, I can’t thank you enough for hooking me up with Dr. Posillico. He got us in right away to see someone, and you were right; they didn’t just blow us off.”
“The doctor said I have dixia!” Joni announced. “’Cause I get frustrated with school stuff. They’re going to help me learn better so maybe I won’t hate school so much.” She grabbed Rowan’s face between her hands and put her nose right up against his as she said, “Can we dance now, peanut butter?”
“Sure, sugar.” He set Joni on her feet and stood up. “Y’all should check out the cool sculpture they’re auctioning off. If I had a few bucks, I’d snag it in a heartbeat.”
“Daddy! It’snaked!” Joni said as she led him into the crowd.
“It’s a man’s torso,” Steph explained. “A little underendowed if you ask me.”
Violet didn’t flinch, look away, or give any other indication that she might be uncomfortable listening to them talk about her anonymous artwork. They’d been together again for almost a month, and he was starting to see the beauty in her artistic anonymity. There was something romantic about knowing she was putting pieces of them into the world without anyone else knowing it. He would always want her to be recognized for her talent, but maybe Violet was right to hold this piece so close to her chest, like their own secret.
Cory picked up a slice of pizza and said, “Because I ruined you for every other man.”
Steph rolled her eyes. Her hair was cornrowed tonight, and she twisted the ends of a braid. “Seriously, though. I mean, someone had to pose for that, right? How does that guy feel knowing his less-than-impressive junk is being seen by hundreds of people? Someone should tell the artist to do the guy a solid and build him up.”
