Violet’s body reacted before her mind could, spine straightening, hands twitching. Ready to jump in, fix it, stop the inevitable.
I caught her wrist before she could move. “Wait.”
Her brows pulled together. “Griffin?—”
“She’s not crying.”
Hazel made a small noise, shifting against the blanket, then settled again.
I smirked. “See? We made it past takeoff without disaster. Told you there was nothing to worry about.”
She sagged back into the seat. “She’s too tired to fight sleep.”
“Like someone else I know.”
She glared at me. “Not happening.”
“Give it twenty minutes.” I grinned, tapping a finger against her armrest. “You know, if you really wanted to fight off sleep, you’d have picked coffee.”
Violet’s gaze darted down to her cup. Her eyes widened and then she scowled.
I leaned in, lowering my voice. “You went with the sleepy-time tea, Princess. Rookie mistake.”
Her fingers tightened around the cup.
“I wasn’t thinking about it,” she muttered, mostly to herself.
“Clearly.” I tipped my coffee toward her in mock sympathy. “Amateur move, really.”
She sighed, jaw clenching. “I hate that you caught that before I did.”
I grinned. “Don’t feel bad. You’re running on fumes. You set yourself up for this one.”
Or she’d been too tired to question it.
She rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile this time.
She fought off yet another yawn and failed spectacularly.
“You should sleep.”
She blinked at me like I’d suggested she jump out of the plane. “I’m fine.”
“You’re exhausted.”
She shot me a glare. “You’re one to talk. You’re racing in one of the hardest races of the season in a few days.”
“And I’ll sleep at the hotel.”
“You should sleep now.”
“Can’t. Someone has to watch Hazel.”
“I’m watching Hazel.”
“You’re barely keeping your eyes open, Carter.”
Hazel made a small noise from the bassinet and Violet’s entire body locked up.
