Chapter 15
15
VIOLET
M y pencil drags looping circles in my sketchbook, half-heartedly trying to think of a new way to make discount bouquets look more appealing. My entire body feels like it’s made of lead, sinking into the chair.
I did this to myself. I wanted to believe in love so badly that I ignored reality staring me in the face. Jack and I are not one hundred percent compatible. We made a mistake. We need to prune off the damaged branches and move on.
I startle when Iris comes around the corner, setting a cup of tea on the edge of my desk. “It’s obvious you don’t want to talk about it,” she says gently. “But when you’re ready, we’re here.”
Jasmine pops her head up over a shelf full of spider plants that are putting out some adorable spiderettes. “You’re the first of us to have any serious boy trouble, so we probably won’t have any good advice. But we’ll try our best. “
“Thanks.” I sigh. “It’s just one of those things. Like a plant that looks amazing at first, but then you dig into the roots and see they’re rotten and realize it isn’t going to live more than a few weeks.”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad,” Iris says softly. “Maybe it’s…” She trails off, tilting her head toward the front of the shop.
We all hear Mom exclaim, “For me? How sweet. Of course. She’s right in the back. “
Even through the shelves filled with dense greenery, I can make out Jack striding into the room. He comes right over to my corner, flashing me the sexiest grin I’ve ever seen. Then he turns to Iris, handing her a box of those exquisite handmade chocolates. “Hello. I’m Jack.”
“Iris. Thank you.”
“Which would mean you are Jasmine.” He hands her an identical box as she beams at him.
Then she shoots me a look. “This the guy?”
“Yes.”
“Is he allowed to be here?”
“Yes, that’s fine,” I say. “Could you two please give us a minute?”
“Sure.” They disappear into the shop, probably still listening.
Jack pulls over a chair, then takes my hands in his. “It was Mark who called my father and told him to come over because you were there. I’m so sorry, Violet.”
“Mark? Does he hate me or something? I barely met the guy.”
Jack shakes his head. “Looking back, I think he was always a little disappointed that Dad wasn’t directly involved with the company. I think Mark looked up to him. That whole rebel bad boy of finance image. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. He’s fired.”
My hands clench around his. “Because of me? No, I didn’t ask for that. I don’t want to?—”
“Baby, anyone who is passing information in inappropriate ways will be terminated without question. He knew full well what he was doing. I can’t have someone like that working for me.” His fingers thread gently through mine. “Also, if he hates change, he’d have really freaked out when that entire wall turns green and leafy.”
“You still want that?”
“Of course! It’s going to be incredible.”
He pulls another box of chocolates from the left hand outer pocket of his jacket and sets it on the table. From the other pocket he fishes out a small blue box. He opens it, and I stare in disbelief at the silver and amethyst flower necklace.
“I’m not sure if you’re into diamonds and jewels,” he explains. “But you wore a hair clip with purple stones a few days ago, and silver earrings. So I thought this was a safe bet.”
My fingertips lightly stroke the polished metal. “It’s lovely, thank you. But it’s kind of fancy.”
“Well, as luck would have it, I would like to take you somewhere fancy right now.” His eyes light up as he grins. “That is, if I can steal you away from work?”
Just a few minutes ago I was trying to talk myself into letting this relationship go. Now I can’t tear my eyes away from Jack’s excited face. Maybe he believes enough for both of us.
“Where?”
“An art gallery. English Investments donates to the Kingsville Art Foundation, and there’s a big charity wingding this afternoon. I need to swoop in, shake some hands, and put my face around. Melati insisted that I go for twenty minutes. Will you come with me, so I’m not bored to tears?”
“I… I can’t… All your colleagues will be there. And city bigwigs, and who knows who else.” My mouth tightens as I desperately try to keep my bottom lip from wobbling. “I’ve already caused enough trouble in your professional life.”
Jack sets the box on my lap and takes my hands again. “You didn’t cause any trouble, baby.” He sighs. “I know, I’m uptight and rigid. To run a company, that’s what is required, occasionally. But I want to soften the other parts of my life. I want you.” His warm brown eyes meet mine as he whispers, “I already love you.”
My breath stutters to a stop. I’m floating.
He really said that. Even beyond words, I can see it plain as day in his eyes. This amazing, confident, fabulous man loves me .
Before I can even think about saying it back, Jack leans in to kiss me gently, his lips moving softly as I clutch the box so it doesn’t fall from my lap. His hand tangles in the back of my hair, pulling me closer, then he freezes.
“I’m sorry. I’m being terribly inappropriate in your workplace.” He pulls back. “Now, will you please come with me to the gallery?”
I’m already standing up. “Sure. How fancy should I dress?”
“Things like this are usually corporate attire or business casual. I’m sorry, I don’t know what that means for women. I’m a guy, I just wear a suit. But honestly, wear anything you like.” His eyes gleam. “Although I am quite partial to you in dresses.”
I kiss his forehead, then take off at a jog. “Wait right there. Give me ten minutes.”
“Take your time,” he calls out.
Thirteen minutes later, I find him in the shop talking with Jasmine about how easy it is to propagate tradescantia. “They grow everywhere,” she laughs. “Really – you can just chop a bit off and stick it in the dirt. A week or two later, they’ll have rooted. Idiotproof.”
Jack starts to say something, then hears my skirts rustle in the doorway and spins to face me.
I’ve never thought of myself as beautiful. Certainly not compared to my sisters. I’ve always been the quirky one.
Jack stares at me as if I’m the first woman he’s ever seen. As if he never wants to look at another person again as long as he lives. I’ve never felt so gorgeous.
I’m not exactly sure if this dark green dress with the row of tiny white daisies around the hem is corporate casual or whatever he said. All I know is, it looks nice with my new necklace.
Jack looks dazzled, as Mom and my sisters all beam. I can tell from the looks in their eyes that they all approve of him.
“Truly lovely to meet you, ladies, but I’m afraid Violet and I need to go judge some art now.”
I wave goodbye and allow him to escort me out of the shop and into his waiting Mercedes. It’s not until we pull up in front of the massive modern art gallery that I blink and ask, “I’m sorry… Did you say judge?”
“Don’t worry, you won’t have to speak to anyone,” he says, before running around to open my door. “All the sponsors are supposed to pick their three favorite pieces and then I guess they add up the votes. I don’t know anything about art. So I desperately need your help.”
The next half hour is a complete blur. I’m introduced to so many people that my head is spinning, and I know I’ll never be able to remember all the names. Jack doesn’t come out and say that I’m his girlfriend, but from the way he holds my hand or keeps his arm around my waist, it’s pretty clear that we’re together.
Thankfully, no one seems to care. A few of his colleagues seem slightly surprised, but that’s it.
I shock Jack by only choosing one botanical piece for our three top pics. There’s a glorious black and white ink sketch of Kingsville that should definitely do well. And a semi-Cubist impasto painting of fruit mixed with freeform spray-painted graffiti takes my breath away.
“You are amazing,” Jack says as we get back into the car. “See? Stick with me and I’ll be forced to drag you to a few corporate things now and then. But a lot of them aren’t so bad, especially if you just make a fast round and get out quickly. Like today.”
“I don’t mind going to different events.” My cheeks grow warm. “I liked the way it felt like you were kind of…showing me off.”
“Oh, I was. Make no mistake there.”
He grins, his inner boyish charm on full display. “Now, we have options. If you’re tired, I could take you home. Or we could grab dinner out somewhere. Or order pizza delivered to my place.”
“Pizza? In your fancy house? Is that quite appropriate?”
“We make our own rules, baby.”
He leans across the car to kiss me. There’s an excitement simmering just beneath the surface. I can feel how much he wants me. How much he needs me to believe that we’re going to be okay.
“I vote pizza at your place,” I murmur against his lips.
He straightens up and starts the car. “Excellent call.”
“Maybe we’ll save some for breakfast?”
His huge palm grips my knee. “My God, I love it when you’re saucy.”