I stand a bit taller as he says goodbye, looks at me skeptically, and walks out.
Violet and I look at one another, holding our breath, until she heaves a sigh when she feels the coast is clear.
Stepping forward, I bring the coffees to the table. “Wasn’t anticipating him being here,” I admit.
“Wasn’t anticipating you being here.” She smiles softly.
Offering her the coffee cup, I state the obvious. “That’s called the element of surprise.”
“Do you really have an appointment?” she wonders as she takes a sip of her drink.
My head bobs side to side. “Yes… only after I arranged it. I was hoping that I could steal you away for lunch.”
“We might be destined to hide in the closet in the back since Tilly called in sick, so I’m here alone.” She sits down on her stool to get comfortable.
“Doable.” I allow myself to drown in the view of her for a few extra seconds. “Everything okay with Ford?”
“Yeah, he was just stopping by, going over the rules for the kids, and checking if I’m ready to hit the dating scene, as he would like to see me get out there more. That’s when I told him that he shouldn’t worry, as his hot friend is banging me against walls on a regular basis now.” A smirk curls on her lips which informs me that she’s messing with me, at least for the last sentence.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I hold up a finger to indicate for Violet to wait a second. Glancing at the screen, I groan when I see my father’s name.
Violet scoffs a sound. “Stillavoiding your parents?”
Tucking the phone back into my jeans pocket, I roll my eyes. “Kind of. My mother not so much, but my dad… It’s just… I don’t want to disappoint him or appear overly selfish, even though I know that is 100% what I am.”
“Ah, so it’s your issue, not his. You’re afraid of what you might feel when you see him face to face and confront the fact that Declan Dash will not be taking over the family empire, despite being the only child and getting everything he normally wants.” Her wry smile doesn’t fade.
“Something like that.” Swallowing the last sip of my cortado, a little pebble hits the lid. I take the lid off and have to grin. “A sign?” I show her the cup with the purple jellybean that must be covered in who knows what food coloring to have survived my coffee.
“Maybe.” Violet swirls off her stool and walks around the counter to stand in front of me. “I guess things we believe are impossible don’t seem so hard once it happens.”
I narrow my eyes at this beautiful vixen in front of me. “Are you trying to connect the jellybean to my parents?”
Her lips quirk out. “Is it getting the wheels in your head turning?” She slips her arm around my waist.
“Maybe.”
“Trust me, you will focus better once you face your parents.”
I pinch her stomach and pull her closer. “I know you’re right. I’ve been holding off on seeing them, but they want me to have dinner with them this weekend. What are the chances I can see you after to recover?”
“Zero, sadly. I’m babysitting my nephews and plan on enjoying the pool after they go to sleep.”
I wince at the thought of her in a bikini alone and me nowhere in sight. “What an image in my head now.”
“You know I appreciate that you stopped by and brought me coffee, it’s cute.”
“Babe, I’m not cute.”
“You kind of are,” she argues. “My point is that I wasn’t sure when I would see you again, but here you are.”
“Want to know a secret?” I whisper.
“Yes.”
“I have no clue what I’m doing other than I had an urge to see you.”
She checks nobody is outside. “Well, Imayknow the feeling. Now, follow me to the closet and let me blow your mind so you have something to think about when you see your parents.”
