I grab her arms before she loses her balance.
“I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m… fine.” Her violet eyes meet mine, and something in them stops me cold.
She’s too close.
The smell of jasmine fills my lungs. The heat from her body warms mine.
It looks like she wants to kiss me.
My head lowers, my lips moving closer to hers.
She parts them in anticipation.
“Luna!” Ivy yells as she rushes past us. “No. You can’t go outside.”
I jerk back, the moment ruined.
Violet blinks, then pulls away.
“Luna.”
We both turn just as Sebastian steps in front of the door and scoops the kitten up before she makes her escape.
Both women let out relieved sighs.
But me?
I stand there, feeling foolish.
The old insecurities rear up.
Why would she want me?
I’m nobody special.
Average.
At least that’s what my ex said.
I watch as Sebastian hands the kitten to Violet. She cradles it like a baby, murmuring soothing words. Ivy stands beside her, stroking the kitten’s fur.
For one insane second, I imagine Violet as my wife. Holding our child in our house.
The moment shatters when she and Ivy jump aside as the movers carry the box spring inside.
Violet spins, immediately following them to the bedroom, still carrying Luna.
“Bed goes against that wall,” I hear her say as I follow her like I’m in a trance.
I step into my bedroom, watching as they set it down where she instructs.
“I didn’t say where I wanted it.”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “You don’t want it directly under the window. The light will wake you up too early.”
How does she know that?
