18. Violet
VIOLET
The fire burns low, embers glowing against the dark as laughter lingers in the air.
Drew laughs at something Sebastian says while Ivy leans comfortably against her husband.
For the first time in my life...
I'm not watching from the outside.
I'm part of it.
The realization settles deep in my chest, warm and steady.
I glance at the time on my phone.
10:30 p.m.
Time to go.
Even though I really want to stay.
Every instinct tells me to.
But if I leave now, he’ll miss me.
I’ll just have to settle for sleeping in his shirt. For now.
At least it still smells like him. Like soap and cedarwood. I smelled it before I arrived here. It was comforting.
“I should probably head out,” I say, my voice soft but certain.
Drew’s gaze shifts to me immediately. There’s a flicker of disappointment because I’m leaving. Exactly as I predicted.
“That late already?” Ivy asks, looking at Sebastian.
“Yes.” I stand up and stretch. “I have an early morning,” I say, my gaze skimming over Drew.
A partial truth is still a truth.
No one here knows my mornings begin with watching Drew... and usually end the same way.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” Drew says, already standing beside me.
I nod at him, then give Sebastian and Ivy a smile. “Goodnight. Thanks for the lovely dinner and company.”
Ivy gets up and hugs me. “You’re welcome. Come by anytime.”
I smile.
How nice. A formal invitation.
If only you knew how often I’m here.
Ivy’s stalker antenna must’ve grown soft now that she’s married. Or she’s aware and enjoying the show, waiting for Drew to notice.
“Goodnight, Violet,” Sebastian says. He studies me, a smirk playing on his lips as he looks at Drew, then back to me.
Uh-oh.
Sebastian’s watching too closely. I need to be careful.
“Goodnight,” I say, turning and heading toward the deck steps. Jumping over the railing would be a big red flag. Of course, I know better than to be that sloppy.
The night air is cool, wrapping around us as Drew walks beside me, hands tucked into his pockets.
We stop beside my car.
I turn to him, a soft smile on my lips. “Thanks for inviting me to dinner. I had a wonderful time.”
“You’re welcome.” His eyes shine beneath the pole light. “I’m glad you came.”
“Me too.” I gesture to the window, where the black silhouette of a cat sits. “I’m glad Mr. Pickles likes me.”
Drew shakes his head. “Honestly, so am I.”
He shifts slightly closer, his hand running through his hair. “Although he’s still a damn traitor.”
I laugh softly, watching his expression shift when I do. He likes my laugh.
His tone softens. “You’re magic, Violet Quinn.”
My pulse picks up, thudding in my ears.
We stare at each other under a dark sky full of stars.
Maybe he’ll finally—
He steps forward.
My breath catches.
But instead of closing the distance and kissing me, he reaches for the handle and opens my car door.
I smile, hoping it masks the flicker of disappointment that surfaces.
As I move to get into my car, his warm, firm hand closes around my arm.
I stop, looking up at him.
His expression is different now. Less controlled.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman,” he says, his voice low. “Oh, fuck it.”
His lips meet mine, and every ounce of patience I’ve forced myself to have disappears.
I lean into him without hesitation. This is what I’ve been waiting for.
His hand tightens on my arm.
I part my lips, and the kiss turns deeper. Hungrier.
I whimper into his mouth… and something in him snaps.
Suddenly, he’s not holding back. He’s devouring me, tasting and exploring my lips like he’s been dying for this. Like he’s trying to understand something he can’t quite grasp.
I respond eagerly, matching his passion. Letting him know how much I want this. How much I want him.
When we finally part, it’s slow and reluctant.
Our breaths are uneven. The space between us is charged.
Drew looks slightly dazed.
He drags a hand through his hair like he’s trying to piece himself back together. Like something just shifted.
A smile curls my lips. Finally.
I hated waiting, but that kiss was worth it.
Then I step back, needing distance before I do something foolish. Something I can’t take back. Like throwing him in my car, taking him home, and never letting him leave.
Okay, I wouldn’t do that. Only because Sebastian and Ivy would notice he’s missing.
“Thanks for the lovely night, Drew.”
“Um… yeah.”
Adorable. I love it when he’s flustered.
He watches as I slip into the driver’s seat, his gaze lingering like he’s not ready for this to end.
“Buckle up,” he says, his voice still raspy. “And… text me when you get home. So I know you’re safe.”
“I will.”
He closes the door.
I roll the window down as I start the car. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Okay.” He leans down... and presses a soft, gentle kiss to my lips.
I close my eyes, not wanting it to end. But he pulls away before he loses control again.
“Be safe.” He pats the door, then steps back.
I lift my hand in a small wave, my lips still tingling as I shift the car into reverse.
As I pull away, I glance in the rearview mirror.
He’s still there, standing exactly where I left him, watching me.
My smile deepens as I turn onto the road, the night stretching out ahead of me.
Everything is falling into place.
Exactly as I planned.