Jamie shakes his head. "It can't be that simple, though. We need to communicate and build trust."
"Alright," I butt in. "We can do that. But first we need Violet's phone number."
Violet rattles it off, and Ellis orders another round of drinks as I input it into my phone. "There. Expect us to text and call you both a lot. We're in this for real, and we don't want to step back. Is that okay with you two?"
Jamie and Violet make eye contact before nodding. "Yes," Violet says, but I can see the questions in her gaze. I know she has a lot going on in her mind lately, so I don't pressure her to talk quite yet.
At some point she will trust herself and us to express her worries. It's up to us to show her that we can be trusted.
Even if we can't be.
Forty-One
VIOLET
It's been a few days since what I believe was an unproductive conversation about our relationship changes. What I hoped would be a talk about boundaries and rules, like deciding how much time to spend together in a week, when to have sex, when to kiss, etcetera, ended up being an agreement to date each other.
I've been trying to calm my questions and keep them to myself to try this whole "let's let it all happen naturally" thing, but it's hard. The flashes of insecurity and jealousy that jolt me out of our group chat bother me.
I'd love for this to feel completely equal between the four of us, but it doesn't. Maybe that's because I'm subconsciously holding back, while Jamie seems to just take the flirting in stride and give as good as he gets.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm a very sexual person, but this is completely new territory for me. I think I'vedone decently well in keeping my concerns to myself even though we agree communication is key.
Sometimes I just need time to figure things out on my own, so I'm not that worried. Part of figuring things out is following their lead.
Which is why I'm clicking through photos on my camera at the nightclub I take images for while waiting for Ellis. He texted me separately yesterday asking if I was free. I wasn't. At the time, I was at the hair salon accepting apologies from the manager for her teasing remarks a few weeks ago.
I had some edits to do and emails to catch up on, so Ellis had to wait for our date. Which is why he’s meeting me at the club for a drink and a chat after work.
Date. I can't believe after all these years I'm finally going on a date with Ellis Perry.
Work has helped keep my mind off of some stuff, like wondering if Jamie has people watching me. I should feel weird about that, and I do, but I have to admit it makes me feel safer when I walk from my car to my destination. I wonder if I'll get to thank Bash someday.
Too many things...
I'm so darn nervous my knee hasn't stopped bouncing. The bartender gave me a water and a lemon drop to calm my nerves, which I appreciate. He's handsome, and I may have given him the time of day if Jamie hadn't made it clear last year that I was his and no bartender was allowed to bother me for my cell number.
I was pissed for a while after that because who the hell was Jamie to decide who I spent my time with? Of course, I got over it because the thought of undoing the claim he forced on me here made me feel sad.
So I left it, and the sexy bartenders have left me be. My artistic focus tonight has been on the wall of liquor and neon lights, so I've carved out my small corner. Now I'm waiting.
It's an awesome club, but it's nowhere near as kick ass as the club my mama works at. She mainly manages security for the young bartenders now because that place has only skyrocketed in popularity.
"I'm surprised you aren't surrounded." Ellis' voice warms me before his heat does. Behind me, his chest presses against my back, and his arms bracket me as his hands land on the counter outside of mine.
Turning toward him so he can hear me over the thumping music, I explain. "Jamie's fault. I'm not to be approached when I'm working."
Ellis' laughter in my ear makes me shiver delightfully. He presses a light kiss to the side of my neck and shifts to sit on the stool next to me. "I'll thank him for that later," he teases with a wink.
The reminder of his own relationship with Jamie sends an uncomfortable feeling through me for a second before it's gone. "Jamie and I actually met right here." I tap my finger on the bar.
"No way, really? So he was one in a long line of men who tried to get your attention?" Ellis looks genuinely interested in this story, so I tell him about how Jamie spilt his drink close to my camera and apologizedprofusely, then proved himself to me with the highest orgasm count in one night.
"Three doesn't sound like a lot, but it is for me." Blushing, I scold myself for sharing that piece of information.
Ellis leans closer to me and kisses the side of my neck again. His rumbly whisper in my ear makes me melt. "Challenge accepted, angel."
Rapidly shaking my head, I deny his claim. "I'm not an angel. Don't call me that."
