Page 131 of Love & Other Disasters

Forty-Four

These women lived in an unfamiliar world for Violet. They’d all married important businessmen in the area, and only three of them still had careers. How was that possible? Not all of them had children, and one was and actual socialite. She’d never met someone who only did charity work and social functions. Samantha, Aiden’s wife, had a baby daughter, and her real estate license, working part-time as a realtor. These women liking her was a good strategic move for J.P., so Violet threw herself into the occasion. They might not invite them to social functions if they didn’t like her, and she’d learned this networking thing was advantageous.

After the DJ announced dinner was starting, J.P., Aiden, and four other men walked back into the ballroom laughing. His eyes scanned the room, but Aiden pointed to a table drawing his attention away.

“You and Jordan are at our table,” Samantha said, linking her arm around Violet’s again. And in plastic jewel covered tiaras, and buzzed, they crossed the room toward the men. “When are you two getting married?” she asked, before they arrived at the table. Why were married people so interested in getting others married?

“We haven’t talked about it. I’m living in Nashville right now.” She shouldn’t have said that; the alcohol had gone to her brain. If she let it get out that he was moving back to Nashville, the information would ruin his business here. Did it matter? She wasn’t sure. “So, we’re long-distance,” she added.

“Long-distance is rough,” Samantha said, squeezing her arm. “That’s why he’s renovating that house, so you can move up here and start a family.”

Violet’s mouth went dry. Why had she never considered moving to him? They approached the table and J.P.’s eyes were on her, and smiling. She had to bury the mixed feelings bubbling up, because he could read her, and a fancy New Year’s Eve party wasn’t the place.

“The tiara suits you,” he said.

“Right,” she smiled. “It’s what I’ve needed all this time.”

He pulled out a chair for her. “M’lady.”

She laughed, and taking the seat, he had an unfamiliar aroma that she couldn’t place.

J.P.’s hands on the back of her chair, he bent and whispered in her ear. “You okay?”

“Just buzzed,” she stared up at his mouth. “Cocktails on an empty stomach.”

He must have bought her explanation, because he gave her a quick kiss and sat without a word.

Violet leaned over and whispered to J.P. “What is that smell?”

“Cigars,” he whispered back. “I just got offered one with all these guys, and I hope you don’t mind. I wanted in the conversation.”

Violet giggled.

“What?”

“You gave in to peer pressure. That’s so cute.”

“No,” he muttered. “That’s not what…shit.”

She laughed, and rubbed his thigh under the table, he picked up her hand, and kissed her fingers.

“You two are adorable,” Samantha said.

Over dinner, Violet’s inner turmoil raged while the table talked and laughed. She tried to stay engaged with the festivities. On one hand, he was the one who brought up coming back to Nashville. He’d never once mentioned to her that she should be the one who moved. He might not want to stay here? But as he charmed the table, it occurred to her she’d been the one to assume things for both of them this time.

After dinner, she consumed two cups of coffee with a dessert that she couldn’t finish. It was a sad day when she wasted a scrumptious chocolate mousse. The caffeine was necessary to stay awake.

“If these are still on the dessert table when we leave, I’m stealing a couple,” she whispered to J.P.’s amusement.

“I know something we can do with chocolate mousse back in our room,” he whispered.

But how sticky would that be? She was unsure if that was sexy.

“There’s a shower and a tub,” he said, reading her thoughts.

“Get out of my head,” she laughed.

The disco lights swirled as the DJ announced it was time to party away the rest of the year. Cheers and whoops erupted in the room as a pulsing beat boomed from the speakers.

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