Page 120 of Love & Other Disasters

“I am too. If it has to be this way, at least she’s safe and well taken care of.”

Violet stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He hugged her tight.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered. “You didn’t have to wander away.”

“I wanted to give you time with her.”

“She really likes you.”

“Are you sure? Maybe she thinks I’m not good enough for her little boy,” Violet grinned.

He laughed. “She knows you’re too good for me.”

Violet rolled her eyes.

The negative part of being alone in a city was that he rarely dined at restaurants—to-go and delivery were his jam. Eating in front of a television was preferable to alone. But, with Violet in town, he couldn’t wait to try out a few places.

J.P. drove north along Lake Michigan, to a cute little Italian restaurant with great reviews and ambiance. The weather had the perfect fall breeze in the air, and it all fell in line with his goal to give Violet a romantic weekend. She road shotgun, her hair pulled up, relaxed, and watching the world go by. The challenge was keeping his eyes on the road.

“Oh, by the way,” he said, “there’s no sweetened tea here.”

“At this restaurant?” she looked confused.

“No, pretty much anywhere up north. Tea doesn’t come pre-sweetened.”

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