Page 66 of Sweet Escape at Bayside
“Thank you for not hating me.” Violet put her arms around Desiree, hugging her.
Desiree held her tighter. “You’re hugging me! Are pigs flying? Have the cows come home?”
“Shut up.” She pulled back and said, “I need your help with something.”
“If you think I’m going to be the one to tell our friends about your secret life, you’re nuts. They’ll give you so much grief.”
“Not that. Spend the day with me?”
“Theday? You’ve never asked me to spend an entire day with you before.”
“Put some clothes on before I change my mind.”
“I had a hard night. I have to shower.” Desiree opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of jeans.
Violet grinned and said, “All sexed up despite our fight? Way to go, Rick.”
“No! Geez.” Desiree gathered the rest of her clothes. “What did Andre think of the sex shop? Wait. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
“You know what? We never got around to going, but now that you mention it…”
“Oh boy.Should I warn the neighbors? Pass out earplugs?” Desiree headed for the bathroom. “And I’mnotgetting on your motorcycle.”
“Myday, myrules.”
Desire smiled and said, “There’s the stubborn sister I know and love.”
Chapter Eighteen
ANDRE SAT AT a table in the back of Common Grounds at exactly seven o’clock that evening, wringing his hands and trying not to think the worst. He was thrilled that Violet had decided to spend the day with Desiree, but other than a text asking him to meet her at the coffeehouse at seven, he hadn’t heard from her all day.
“What can I get you to drink, big guy?” Gabe handed him a menu, trying to tuck behind her ear a few wild red tendrils that had escaped the elastic she’d secured them with at the base of her neck.
“I’ll have a ginger chai, thanks.”
“OneViolet Specialcoming up.” She winked and headed for the bar area.
There was a commotion at the door, and he looked over, hoping it was Violet, but it was Steph, Dwayne, and Cory, giving Elliot high fives as they came in. Elliott pointed to Andre. Andre waved, though he’d have liked at least a few minutes alone with Violet before being inundated with friends. Steph strode toward him, looking worried, twisting the ends of her hair, which was now streaked with bright blue. Cory followed her with an easy smile, and Dwayne hung back, talking to Elliott, then jogged to catch up.
“Hey, dude.” Cory flicked his chin, and his bangs swung away from his eyes, then fell right back over them. “These seats taken? Vi texted and asked us to meet her here.”
She did?“Uh, no. Have a seat.”
“She said she needed us tonight,” Steph explained. “I thought maybe you were leaving town early and she was bummed, but she said you’re not leaving until next weekend.”
“Engagement announcement?” Dwayne asked, taking the seat beside Cory. “Because if it is, I want to know what drugs you gave that woman to get her to agree.”
Everyone except Andre laughed.
“No, definitely not that type of announcement. I have no idea why she asked you to come. She and her sister had a rough time yesterday, but I thought they made up today. They spent the day together. Maybe something went sour and she needs your support.” If that were true, it would sting like mad. Wasn’t supporting herhisjob?
Gabe brought his drink, and as she took orders from the others Andre watched the entrance, wishing Violet would show up. The sculpture she’d made sat on a table by the front door. Had she told Desiree about that particular part of her life, too?
Man, he hoped things hadn’t gone bad between them.
He and Violet would be fine in a long-distance relationship, even if every day apart seemed like a year. But not being with Violet while she worked through a hard time with Desiree? Knowing she might be heartbroken or scared?Thatwould be torture.
The front door opened and he watched hopefully, but Justin walked in. Elliott pointed him in Andre’s direction. Rowan and Joni came in behind him.Uh oh.Something was definitely wrong.
