35. Violet
Chapter 35
Violet
“What do I do?”
“What do you mean? What do you do?”
“I think he wants me to stay the night. Should I pack a bag?” I peel open a drawer in my dresser to look for some clothes to wear for dinner.
“I’ll tell you what you shouldn’t do,” Olive says while lounging on my bed petting my cat.
“What’s that?” I ask as I grab my pajamas and stuff them in a bag.
“Wear those chicken pajamas.”
“Why not? I think they’re cute.”
“Because you will never get laid wearing those.”
“And who says I’m trying to get laid?”
“You’re just going to sleep then?”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m bringing the chicken pajamas they’re my favorite and they’re comfortable.”
“You’re infuriating.”
“But you love me.”
“Mhmm.”
“Seriously, what do I do if it does come to that?”
“That’s up to you. Don’t go there if you aren’t ready, but if you are, don't stop yourself. Try not to compare your previous relationships to this one and give him the chance he deserves.”
“You always know the right thing to say.”
“That’s because I’m always right.”
I roll my eyes.
Three hours later my legs are completely silky smooth, Olive insisted I prepare somewhat just in case. I’m wearing my best jeans and a T-shirt. Bag in hand also just in case —her words not mine. However, I ended up bringing the chicken pajamas. She couldn’t change my mind. I’m so nervous, my palms are clammy and my heart is pounding so loud I swear it's going to beat right out of my chest.
Why is this so scary?
I know why. It’s scary because I like him so much. I don’t want to mess things up. After standing at his door for a good five minutes, I work up the courage to knock on it.
“Come in!” Dustin shouts from inside.
It’s now or never.
I give myself a pep talk and decide to take the risk. “What’s that delicious smell?” It wafts through the open door as I step in. Cheese, garlic, and something I can’t pinpoint makes my stomach grumble.
“Mac and Cheese, your favorite.”
“You remembered?” I can’t believe he remembered that.
“Of course I did, now come eat, I’m starving. I’ve been slaving over my grandmother's stove for hours.”
“You’re lying!”
“I guess you’ll never know.” He chuckles.
Sardine runs up to me at a fast pace and I haul him into my arms. “You are the cutest little guy ever! I missed you!” He purrs in my ear as he nuzzles against me.
“Are you coming, or are you only here for my cat?”
“I guess I’ll eat with you.” I giggle while placing Sardine back on the ground. I grab a toy mouse from my bag and throw it for him, making a mental note to buy him more toys just because he deserves it.
We dig into our plates of macaroni and cheese with fried chicken. After I learned he and his grandmother made this food I was elated. They’re going to make me gain so much weight. Their food is out of this world. I’ve spent the past few weeks gorging on soup, casseroles, and bread. I’ve gained at least five pounds already. Still, I devour one helping of food and plate another.
“Are you ever thinking about going back to New York? Or is farm life growing on you?”
“To be honest, Nolan approached me at the last competition and offered me a partnership. He wants to start his own company and make me a partner—”
I cut him off, “Wow, that’s huge news! An amazing opportunity. Are you going to take it?”
“I told him I would think about it.”
Oh.
My heart drops. He can’t move back to New York! Not after everything. Well, he can, but I don’t want him to. It’s shocking to me how much I like him already. I really like him. If he leaves now, I’m going to be devastated. I didn’t want to feel anything towards anyone again. At least romantically. I was happy to have another friend in my life. But I started feeling more anyway, without even trying.
“I thought about it over the past few weeks. I was unsure until today. I got some much needed advice from my Gram. She always knows the right thing to say. Anyways, I called and turned down the offer.”
“Really? Why would you turn it down?” I can’t help but feel relief, but it’s a huge opportunity. Offers like this one don’t come by very often. I wouldn’t want him giving up his dreams because of me. I want him to be happy. And if that’s in NYC, who am I to strip him of what he wants in life?
“I realized that I belong here. The small-town pace of life is where I feel comfortable. Everything in the city life was too fast paced. I was miserable at my office job. Every day I woke up dreading having to go to work and pretend like I was someone completely different. When I wake up in the morning here I do it with a smile on my face. Even at five in the morning, how sick is that? I can take care of my grandparents if I stay here. Tend to the land just like my grandfather. Help provide food for the community. Cook with my grandmother and learn all of her secret recipes passed down from generations. Also, I met this girl I kind of like.”
“Who’s this girl? Can I meet her?”
“It’s you, silly.”
I can’t even try to hide my smile now.