No Need to Run (No Need #2)

1. Violet

VIOLET

He still doesn’t notice me.

I lift my glass, taking a sip of the red wine without tasting it, my eyes never leaving the brown-haired man most people don’t notice.

It’s intentional on his part. Drew doesn’t want to be noticed.

He prefers flying below the radar. Comfortable wearing his khakis while sitting in front of his laptop, staring at rows of numbers on spreadsheets.

Payroll and tax deductions make sense to him. People…not so much.

I smile to myself as I take another drink.

I wouldn’t make sense to him.

At least, not the part of me I'd have to hide. The thoughts that would send him running if he ever knew they existed.

It’s fate, Drew.

Life has placed you in my path again.

So what if I had a hand in helping it out? Manifestation alone won’t make you mine.

Drew picks up his beer and takes a swig, even though I know he won’t like it. A look of disgust crosses his face before he masks it. He clearly isn’t a fan, but he hates hard liquor even more.

His brother, Sebastian, offers him a shot. Drew stares at it like it’s poison.

Ivy, his sister-in-law, currently wearing a “Birthday Queen” sash and a crown, turns her big, pleading eyes to his. I read her lips. “Please, Drew. For my birthday.”

Ivy Locke is dangerous. Not because she’s intimidating. Because Drew has a weakness for the handful of people he loves, and his sister-in-law knows exactly how to use it.

He laughs and accepts the shot glass.

My fingers tighten around my wine glass.

Not because of Ivy. I like her. I just wish I knew what it felt like to make Drew Locke laugh like that.

He holds it up and says, “For you, Ivy,” then tosses it back. He immediately looks like he regrets the taste of it.

I shift in the booth, stretching my legs out. It’s slightly quieter back here in the shadows, which is where I need to be. For now.

Ivy leans over and says something to him. Drew smiles and laughs.

My stomach tightens anyway.

Which is ridiculous. I know she’s his sister-in-law. She’s married to his brother, Sebastian Locke.

Very married, judging by the way Sebastian hasn’t taken his eyes off her once tonight.

Knowing she isn’t a threat doesn’t stop the tiny, irrational part of me from wishing I was the reason Drew smiled like that.

Ivy leans against Sebastian and he stares down at her like she’s the only woman in the room and kisses her. They are disgustingly in love.

Not that I have anything against love. With the right person, I’m sure it’s magical. At least, that’s what the movies and books say.

And when I’m ready for Drew to notice me—to really see me—I’ll finally experience what those two have.

And the one thing I’ve wanted since I was in college—Drew Locke.

Sebastian says something to Drew. He shakes his head, the dim bar lighting catching the lighter strands in his brown hair. He waves them off. “You two go ahead.”

Sebastian and Ivy head to the dance floor while he sits there, watching them go. There’s a wistful look on Drew’s face that disappears so quickly most people would miss it.

But not me.

He’s envious of their love.

He doesn’t need to be. He’ll have it soon.

He just doesn't know that yet.

I spin my glass around on the table, making the red liquid slosh inside.

My mind drifts to Drew and me living together. Waking up with his arms around me. Watching his brows furrow as he stares at spreadsheets over breakfast. I'll slide his coffee beside him, and he'll pretend he isn't smiling because I made it exactly the way he likes it.

The wedding won't be anything like my parents'. I already ruled out a ballroom months ago. Drew would hate it. Too many people. Too much attention.

Our colors will be navy and white.

His favorites.

They’re also the colors of his alma mater, which feels like fate agreeing with me.

I've narrowed the guest list to fewer than fifty people. I may have gone through three different versions to get there. Four, if I'm counting the color-coded one in my binder.

Well… actually, five if I'm being completely honest.

When Drew and I stand in front of our family, we won't be performing for anyone.

We'll mean every word.

Otherwise, what's the point?

I stiffen as his head starts turning, gazing around the packed bar.

I don’t have time to jerk back against my seat before his brown eyes meet mine.

It’s only for a second, and then he quickly looks back down at the table, a slight blush on his cheeks. He rubs the back of his neck, the same way he always does when he’s uncomfortable.

He checks his phone.

He won’t scroll social media. He hates it. Says people spend too much time pretending to live instead of actually living.

Drew Locke doesn’t pretend. It’s one of my favorite things about him.

He sets his phone down and looks over at Sebastian and Ivy on the dance floor. He watches them, an amused expression on his face.

He adjusts his Apple Watch. I can’t see it, but I know it’s three minutes fast. Being late stresses him out.

His gaze drifts my way again and our eyes meet. He quickly looks away.

I wonder if he recognizes me. Probably not.

The hospital was months ago.

The bookstore was accidental.

The grocery store... well, that one was less accidental.

Finding out Sebastian and Ivy were his family? Also less accidental.

I stare at him, but he doesn’t look back at me.

It’s as though he thinks that someone like him would never interest someone like me.

I take a long sip of my wine, staring at him over the rim.

You’re wrong, Drew. There’s no one else I’m interested in. Only you.

Which means it’s finally time to stop watching from a distance.

It’s time for Drew to meet his future wife.