Page 4 of Live To Tell

“Why? What did you do?” I ask.

“Kissed you without asking,” he says quietly and his cheeks tinge pink. “That's wrong.”

“Oh.” I frown at the flowers, considering a response. “I didn't break your fingers. Does that not suggest I didn't mind?”

“But still.” He runs a hand through his hair, fingers snagging. “I hope I didn't mess up completely.”

“Omigod, that's so cute!” comes a familiar voice from the doorway.

Holly stands, rainbow shoes in hand, the dress from last night now sporting a couple of stains from the alcohol I can smell, and her hair has returned to its wilder state. I'm unable to ascertain whether the dark beneath her eyes is tiredness or smudged eyeliner.

Leif moves further into the room to allow Holly inside, chewing on his lip as he avoids her eyes. Holly's face lights up when she takes a closer look. “Oh! Violets.”

“Yes, I am aware,” I reply.

“That is so sweet, Leif,” she exclaims, as if he'd bought the bouquet for her. “I'll find a vase! You can put them on your desk.”

Before I can respond, Holly disappears into her cavernous closet. I gesture at Leif with the bouquet in my hand. “Although my response lacked the enthusiasm of Holly's, I do appreciate the gesture, Leif. Nobody brought me flowers before.”

“Really? Not even Rowan?” His wary eyes brighten.

“Rowan once brought me chocolate, not flowers. Although I believe he worried I might be hungry due to blood loss and attack a student. And Grayson...” I can't ever imagine him doing something like this. “I don't think he's a gift-giver.”

Holly returns and relieves me of the bouquet, which she sets about arranging in a small teardrop glass vase. “We need to talk, Violet,” she says, her tone suddenly terser.

Oh. No. “But Leif is visiting me. Perhaps later?”

She turns from my desk. “Not only talk to you. Leif and the others might know more about what you did, so I want answers from them too.”

“What I did?” I frown. “You don't think I'm responsible for events last night. Surely.”

Holly tips her chin. “I'm fed up with you telling me half a story all the time, Violet. I'm your friend and you should trust me. You know I want to help, and I have skills you don't.”

“Social skills?” asks Leif and I slice him a look.

“I'm involved in everything. I see and hear things,” she continues.

“Such as?” I ask, now curious.

“Such as, I can talk to Sienna, who would never speak to you.” Her expression grows smug. “And I'll tell you everything she says if you tell me the truth.”

“Is that sensible? I've expressed concern for your safety before, Holly,” I reply. “You've expressed concern and taken an extended stay with Marci in case somebody murdered you in your sleep.”

“Well, I'm connected to you so I'm in danger anyway, right?” She rubs her nose. “I know your father's asked questions about me and my family, which is rather rude considering we're friends. Ask Dorian if he found anything, because there's nothing to find.”

I glance at Leif, who looks at her in bemusement. “Holly wants in, Violet.”

“In what?” I ask.

“Your secret gang or whatever you are.” She tips her chin. “I want to get involved.”

I watch her impassively, carefully considering my response. “I would need to approve this with Rowan and Grayson.”

Leif coughs in amusement and Holly chuckles. “Violet, everybody knows you're in charge. I need to shower and change for class. Let me know where you're meeting later, and I'll tell you what I know.”

I watch Holly wander to the bathroom, and grimace. “First the Spring Ball, now this. The girl has the persuasive skills of a whole room of pneuma vampires.”

“Which probably makes her useful,” comments Leif. “I should go if Holly’s changing.”

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