The music fades into background noise.
The laughter and conversations around us blur together until they feel miles away.
It’s just the two of us moving slowly in the middle of the room, like we have somehow stepped into a quiet place in time that belongs only to us.
I glance down and catch her looking up to me.
There is something soft in her expression.
The world doesn’t seem complicated, because right here, with Violet in my arms, everything feels exactly the way it should be.
After the song is done, we stay there in each other’s arms for a short moment. We turn and head back to the table. The bar is busy and loud, which happens when the weather starts to warm up, and people are ready to shake off winter. Boots thud against the old wooden floors, laughter fills the room, and people are going up to the DJ requesting their favorite songs.
Violet sits beside me, her sisters sitting around the circular table with Henry on the other side of me, nursing his beer. I have only been back in Lavender Creek for a few weeks, but moments like this make it feel familiar, like I am slipping back into something I didn’t realize I was missing.
Rose leans forward, eyeing me like she is studying me,
“Okay, I have a question.”
I take a sip of my beer and raise an eyebrow, “That tone doesn’t sound promising,” I say, smirking.
“It’s not,” Daphne says, teasing.
“You’re the guy who climbed up the water tower senior year, right?” Rose asks.
Henry immediately pipes in, “Yep, that’s him.”
I turn to Henry, glaring at him.
“What? It’s public record,” he says, slapping my back.
Violet laughs into her glass, the sound catching my attention more than the conversation.
“I knew it,” Rose says. “Small town legend.”
“It wasn’t a legend,” I say. “Just a dumb decision.”
“Same thing,” Daphne says.
Lily leans toward Violet with a grin. “You didn’t tell me you were hanging out with criminals now.”
“Relax,” I say, holding up my hands. “Statute of limitations.”
Henry starts talking to Daphne, who is beside him, and Rose and Lily start up a conversation, too.
Violet turns to me. “You know, I always thought you were quiet in high school.”
I raise a brow. “You noticed me in high school?”
Her lip curves. “Everyone noticed you, Everett.”
Not knowing what to say, I pull out the classic line, “Can I get you another drink?”
“Yeah, thanks, I’ll come with you.”
The bar area is crowded, people shifting and standing shoulder to shoulder waiting for their drinks. Violet leans against the counter beside me while I try to catch the bartender’s attention.
“What are you drinking?” I ask.
