Page 32 of For Dear Life

“Good grief.”

“Come on.” I forget myself and reach out to take Violet’s hand but completely miss since she’s already striding over to Holly, who’s chosen a lane close to the entrance.

Holly’s open-armed enthusiasm at her friend’s arrival isn’t matched by stiff-shouldered Violet, who backs away. I half-expect Violet to back out of the place altogether. She continues to stare at everybody and everything with calculating suspicion, especially Holly’s companions.

Apart from Chase, there’s another human/witch couple—Marci and Jon. Jon jerks his chin in greeting, and I nod. Violet stares at Marci for what would ordinarily be an unacceptable amount of time, but typical for Violet.

Everybody knows Marci. There’s always something superior in her manner, not uncommon for the more skilled witches, but she’s an undeniable charm used on all students that somehow commands respect without being unapproachable.

Quite the opposite to Violet.

Although I’m surprised she’s dating a human. The slender guy isn’t a popular kid but never seems short of girls, although not often witches. Maybe because he matches Marci’s level of attractiveness, something else that no doubt keeps her popular. Glossy brown hair and soft features, often covered in a smile.

Again, quite the opposite to Violet.

Marci and Violet don’t greet each other.

Violet claims she doesn’t know her shoe size and therefore can’t change footwear, and I cajole her into handing over a boot. Then I leave to collect the shoes that Violet informs me she’s no intention of wearing.

Once that task is completed, I return to a still-standing Violet, who now watches those around impassively. She sits beside Holly and takes the burgundy shoes from me.

Honestly, you’d think I’d given her a shoe full of dog crap the way she behaves when lacing them up.

“Vamps don’t usually join teams,” says Chase.

“I’m not a ‘vamp’,” she retorts, not looking away from her observation of Jon, who’s bowling close by.

“Is Rowan not with you tonight?” asks Marci as I lower myself onto the shiny bench beside Violet.

“Why?” she asks too sharply.

“Because he’s your boyfriend. Right?” Marci’s refusal to break Violet’s hard stare doesn’t bode well.

“No.”

Marci’s eyes flick to me. “Then Leif is? You’re dating a human? Huh.”

Violet sucks on her teeth. Man, if only that were true. Ignoring Marci’s comment, Violet stands to inspect the balls, and I’m drawn to staring at her ass in the tight black jeans she chose to wear. The girl’s still oblivious to my thoughts about her, even after the awkward memories she saw in my mind.

Doesn’t help that Chase winks at me in a knowing way. He leans across. “What’s she like?”

“Violet?”

“Duh. Yeah. You and her?”

I sigh. “We’re friends.”

“Correct,” announces Violet and turns around, a black ball in her small hands. “Leif doesn’t know what I’m like as he hasn’t touched or seen me in the way he imagines he’d like to.”

“Yeah?” Chase straightens. “And how’s that?”

“Naked.”

Oh, no. “Violet,” I interrupt. “That’s a sixteen pound ball. It’ll be too heavy for you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she says and lifts it above her head with both hands.

Wow. Okay. I completely forget how non-delicate this slender girl is.

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