"Let me feed you girls, buy you a drink. After some pasta I'll bring you home so I can take my girl on a date. Get your shoes on. Both of you."
Cassidy looks like a fish out of water, but she barely hesitates to run over and put her boots on. "Thank you, Ellis," she says, sounding incredibly grateful.
Honestly, I'm mad at how appreciative she sounds because that means someone hasn't been treating her right.
"You're welcome," I reply with a gentle smile and nod. Holding Violet's hand, I help her balance as she puts her shoes on. "You ladies can sit in the back and chat."
Violet might as well be looking at me with hearts in her eyes. When Cassidy rushes back to get her purse, Violet gives me a chaste kiss and thanks me.
Cassidy has been an amazing friend to Violet. I can't thank her enough for the loyalty and support she's given my girl, but I can ensure I don't steal her best friend away when it's clear she needs Violet now.
I'll happily drive them around and give them the time they need. If it earns me some brownie points, then all the more reason to sit back and let them do their thing.
"You look like you either have a cavity or you're thinkingreallyhard."
I release the tooth I was sucking on with a loud laugh. Glancing over at Violet, I'm relieved to see humor dancing in her eyes and a smile on her lips.
"I'm thinking, Bubbles. You think I'd let these pearly whites get a cavity?"
Still grinning, she pulls a leg up on the passenger seat and twists to face me as I drive. "You want to know who Cassidy was talking about, huh?"
"You got me," I tease but turn serious pretty quick. "I get girl code so you don't have to tell me. But I feel like calling up Nate and Jamie so we can find this guy and kick his ass."
Violet's burst of laughter makes me jump. "You wouldn't be able to even get close to him. Well, Jamie might know him actually," she says offhandedly, like she just thought of something.
Who does Jamie know that we can't touch? It clicks. "Jesus, is this guy part of the MC or some shit?"
Violet cringes and plays with the zipper on her jacket. "He might be the president."
"What?!"
"Just a little!" she rushes out. "Like not totally."
Ignoring her attempt at minimizing the situation Cassidy has found herself in, I glare at the road. "Is she safe? Is this guy going to hurt her?"
"No! I really don't think so. That guy is so in love with her it's like he rips his own heart out every time he leaves the apartment."
"Violet I don't know how I feel about you being in the same place as him..." She huffs, but I continue. "I'm serious. I'd like you to talk to Jamie about this at the very least. Make sure he knows because he has connections with them, okay? It will help us all sleep better."
"Yeah, alright. Jamie does want better communication," she says thoughtfully, then pokes me in the arm. "Speaking of, where are we going?"
"Shopping," I say with cheer, hoping to cover my nerves again. Cassidy and her romantic drama was a good barrier for our date, but now it's just me and my girl.
"Ellis," she says, and I feel her narrowed gaze on me. "I don't need any more lingerie."
Another laugh bursts from my chest, and my hand flies to her spread thigh. "I'd fuckingloveto see your naughty collection, V. But no, we won't be adding to it today."
"Then what doyou,Ellis, want to buy me?" She sounds like she's teasing, so I give it right back trying not to take offense that she would assume all I want her for is sex.
"Listen girly," I warn, "I'm more than just a pretty face and a big dick. I have a heart too."
She gasps a little and grabs my hand on her thigh. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry."
"I know," I soothe with a soft smile. "I was joking too. Anyway, I want you to decorate your room at my place. I don't know if you want it more of an office or a library or a cozy place to have some alone time—What?"
Her mouth is open, and her eyes are wide. "Really? I can decorate part of your home? Are you sure?"
"Violet," I begin as I pull into a parking spot outside a nice furniture store. "That room is yours.Yours, Bubbles. I want it to be everything you want so you'll visit it constantly. Shit, you can decorate the whole house if you want. It definitely needs some more color."
