Chapter Twenty-Three Violet
Chapter Twenty-Three
Violet
The last two weeks had gone by in a blur, since we’d been swamped at the office, and I’d spent all my free time with Charlie and Harper.
“Monny is still at her meeting?” I asked Blakely.
“Yep. She said she’d be in around lunchtime.”
“But you’re all glowy and floaty this morning,” she said. “Very un-Vi-like. You have a meeting with your stepmonster and Velveeta, yet you aren’t spewing venom.”
I dipped my hand in the candy jar, reaching for a handful of Skittles.
The breakfast of champions.
“Well, two weeks after Chompers the groundhog from hell attacked my pipes and electrical, I’m finally moving into my house this weekend, and that’s exciting.”
“Nice try. You’ve known you were moving all week. I think you like being in a relationship. You’re less bitter. More content,” she said, dodging the Skittle I launched at her head.
“I’m hardly in a relationship. It’s a day-by-day thing.” I shrugged.
“It’s been two weeks of your whole ‘one day at a time’ thing, so I’d say things are going well. Did you have breakfast over there this morning?”
“Yes. His oven is better than mine.”
She roared in laughter.
“Violet Delphinium Beaumont,” she said as she walked toward me and placed a hand on each side of my face, “it’s okay to be happy.”
No. She. Didn’t.
She knew I hated my middle name.
My mother was clearly bitter about my father leaving her, so she’d tortured me with an over-the-top name.
“For the record, being happy tends to be the kiss of death. I’m not happy. I’m just—fine. Now if you don’t mind, I need to go meet with Velveeta and Pissy.”
She laughed hysterically as I marched to my office.
She was right. I’d been in a ridiculously good mood lately.
I’d fallen into a routine with Charlie. I wasn’t spending the night at his house, because we didn’t want to confuse Harper.
Actually, he wanted to talk to Harper about our relationship.
I was the one who was hesitant.
Who knew what would happen after I moved back to my place. I wouldn’t be living in their backyard. What if we realized it had just been a convenience thing?
I would never risk turning Harper’s world upside down, when she had a good thing going with just her and her dad.
I wouldn’t be the person who let her down.
Speaking of letdowns, I clicked on the link, and there they were.
All three of them.
My father. Missy. Velveteen.
“Violet, it’s so nice to see you,” my father said. “You’re looking well.”
“Thanks. Nice to see you.” I fiddled with my paperwork because Missy’s eyes were assessing me as they always did.
“The wedding is literally right around the corner. Are you sure you have everything handled?” she asked.
So much for a friendly greeting.
“This is what I do for a living, Missy. I assure you, we’ve got everything covered. I’m just waiting on you, Velveteen, to choose between the two floral arrangements I sent you.”
“And this is where I tap out. I just wanted to say hello,” my father said as he waved at the camera. He always appeared slightly nervous around me. Maybe it was guilt or shame, who knows.
Missy waved him off and I said a quick goodbye as he left the screen.
“I like them both—could we combine the arrangements?” my sister said.
“I don’t think that would look good,” Missy blurted out, arching a brow at the screen as if she was waiting for me to back her up.
“I like them both a lot, too, and they actually complement one another.” I paused, taking a breath because it pained me to say my next words.
“But I agree with Missy that combining them would be tough, because it might be too much color in one arrangement. But what about using both, and placing them at every other table? I think it would be really beautiful.”
“Oh, I like that idea.” Velveteen looked to her mother.
“I think it’s tacky. They should be uniform. This isn’t a barn wedding,” Missy hissed.
Do barn weddings have multiple floral arrangements?
“Actually, it’s very trendy. The two arrangements coordinate well.
The last couple to use this style was Harry Simon and Bailey Clark.
” I had to contain my smile, because I knew this would stick it to Missy and have Velveteen salivating.
They were a Hollywood power couple who’d put our town on the map.
They were also the reason my sister wanted to be married here.
“Their wedding was featured in People magazine, so I don’t think anyone would call their reception tacky. ”
“We’re doing it. I want all the bells and whistles,” my sister said.
“Fine. And you’ve made sure everything is set for the accommodations, right?” my stepmother asked.
“Mom. She’s already told us that she’s checked on all of that. The wedding party is booked at the hotel, and so are we.”
It was a rare moment where my sister was standing up for me, so I’d take it.
“I’m just double-checking. Remember that time we all met in New York for New Year’s, and Violet hadn’t booked her hotel room?” My stepmother gave me a pointed look.
“Ahh . . . yes. I recall that trip well.” I cleared my throat. “I was in college, and I thought you were booking my room, Missy. As you’d booked all of my siblings’ rooms, I’d assumed I would be sharing a room with them.”
It brought me back to a place that I didn’t like.
That feeling of being rejected.
Of not fitting in.
Of being hyperaware that I was an outsider in this family.
I fucking hated that she had the power to make me feel this way. No matter how confident and self-assured I was, there was still this little girl inside me who remembered that pain too well.
She shook her head, as if my argument made no sense. “We got a room for the girls and a room for the boys. They were much younger than you. You were an adult and responsible to book your own room. Luckily they had one available, or you would have messed up the whole trip.”
Yes. The pricey hotel room had maxed out my credit card.
“That’s what happened?” Velveteen said. “She’s only a year older than me, Mom. I never knew that was the issue. I thought she hadn’t told you she was coming.”
Plot twist. Your mother is a real biatch, Velveteen.
“I was always coming. But it was a long time ago, and we’ve all moved on.” I met Missy’s gaze, and she quickly looked away. “You’re welcome to call the hotel and double-check your accommodations for yourself.”
“I think we’re good to go, Violet,” my sister said, her gaze softer now. “I appreciate you handling all of this so I can focus on the honeymoon.”
“She’s getting paid to handle all of this. It’s actually her job,” Missy said without taking so much as a breath before insulting me. “It’s how she makes a living.”
“Thank you, Velveteen. I’m happy to plan your wedding.
And yes, Missy, this is my job. My business, that I’ve built with my partner from the ground up.
And we also charge for weddings, which I’ve obviously waived the fee for your wedding, as Velveteen is family.
So, just to be clear, I’m not getting paid to plan this wedding. ”
My stepmother looked startled that I’d called her out. I wasn’t someone who held back normally, but my discomfort with my father and his wife had always left me more withdrawn than I’d usually be.
And I was over it.
I was an adult.
A successful adult who was living her best life.
“It’s what family does for one another,” she said, her voice quieter now, as her daughter gaped at her.
“I couldn’t agree more. Sort of like booking a hotel room for all of your children. Leaving one to fend for themselves would be cruel, right?”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t speak.
“Yeah. That’s what I thought.” I turned my attention back to my sister. “Everything is covered. I’ll let the florist know about your decision for both arrangements.”
“Thank you, Violet,” Velveteen said. “And did you hear from Ralph’s family finally?”
“I did. They weren’t able to get a room at the same hotel that you’re staying in because it’s all booked up, but I found them a place nearby, and I made sure they secured the rooms.” I forced a smile, because trying to manage Ralph’s family was like trying to manage a pack of wild coyotes.
They were unresponsive, and when I finally did reach them, they’d always say they’d get back to me with a decision soon.
And weeks would pass.
Maybe they weren’t happy about the wedding.
Maybe they were just attentionally challenged, like their attentionally challenged son.
“Thank you for making sure they were covered,” she said.
Missy had gone completely silent. Maybe I should put her in her place more often.
“Not a problem. I’m sure we’ll be talking a lot over the next two weeks, so just keep me posted if anything comes up, and I’ll do the same,” I said. I looked up to see Charlie standing in my doorway.
I tried hard to keep from smiling so big I’d give my excitement away.
“Bye, Violet.” Velveteen waved and Missy forced a smile, and I said a quick goodbye and ended the Zoom.
“What’s going on here?” I said, arching a brow. “Did I violate a parking rule at the house? Set off a fire alarm? Step on a flower bed?”
He chuckled. A sexy-as-hell grin spread across his handsome face. His jaw was peppered in day-old scruff, and his blue eyes were darker than normal. “Nah. I thought I’d take you on a lunch date. Just you and me.”
“You want to go on a date with me, Charles?” I said, trying to play it cool as my heart raced at his words.
We spent so much time together. Usually, it was the three of us, which I loved.
When we actually got time alone, we were all over each other and trying to sneak in a quickie.
“I want to go on a date with you, Firefly.”
“Okay.” I sucked in a breath. “Let’s go eat lunch.”
I grabbed my purse and moved toward him. He held out a hand and intertwined his fingers with mine.
“You’re really pulling out all the stops.” I chuckled. “You know I’m a sure thing, right?”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t want to hold your hand,” he said.
Blakely’s eyes widened when we came around the corner just as Montana walked through the door, and she beamed at us.
“Where are you off to?” she asked.
“I’m going to lunch.” I tucked my teeth between my lips.
“I’ll bet you are.” A mischievous smile spread across her face. “Have fun, you two.”
Charlie opened the passenger-side door of his truck, and I slipped in. The man was always a gentleman, even when he was annoyed with me. But today he seemed a little nervous. Like he had a secret.
“We aren’t going to the Moose Brew?” I asked as he turned in the opposite direction.
“Nope.”
“Charles, are you taking me to your house for a little afternoon delight?” I asked, wondering if he’d just used the lunch date as a way of getting me out of the office. Though he knew me well enough to know that I’d have sneaked home with him without hesitation.
“Are you always this impatient?” he asked over a chuckle. “Actually, I already know the answer to that. You’re the most impatient woman I know.”
“Yet, you can’t seem to stay away from me,” I teased.
“Guilty as charged.” He pulled into the driveway at my house.
There were no work trucks there, which was a first.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
“We wrapped up a day early. I wanted to bring you here to show you.”
It was sweet.
Thoughtful.
My heart thumped rapidly in my chest.
Threatening to explode.
I wasn’t used to surprises, but Charlie Huxley was feeling like one big surprise lately. He’d convinced me to stay away from the house this week, as he didn’t want me to see things until they were done.
We both made our way up the walkway, and I stopped him at the door. “Why do you seem nervous? Did you not hang the new light fixture in the laundry room that I left in there?”
“You mean the one you changed for the third time?” One side of his mouth turned up in a crooked smile.
“Yep. That’s the one.”
“Find out for yourself.” He pushed the door open.
My mouth fell open, because all my furniture had been moved back in. We were supposed to do that this weekend. I’d had it all in storage.
“When did you do this?” I just stood there, moving my head slowly and taking it all in.
“I had the guys bring it all here over the last two days. I remembered how you’d had it set up, and Montana met me here early this morning to help me get it all arranged just right.”
“She said she had a meeting.” I shook my head with disbelief because it looked so good with the new floors, the farmhouse chandelier hanging above, and the area rug that I’d purchased a few weeks ago.
“She did. She was meeting with me.” He laughed, but I could hear the hesitation.
This was why Charlie seemed so nervous.
“Were you nervous that I wouldn’t like it?” I turned to face him.
He didn’t even deny it. “No. I’ve just never done anything like this for anyone. I mean, aside from Harper.”
I took his hands in mine. “No one’s ever done anything like this for me before, so thank you.”
I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him.
When I pulled back, he smiled down at me. “Come on. Let me show you your new home.”
I nodded.
Because as much as I wanted to pretend that I was fine.
This was so much more.
I. Was. Happy.
For the first time in my life, I was really happy.