36. Drew
DREW
The movers are like a storm.
Boots on asphalt. Truck doors slamming. Voices overlapping as they haul furniture out like they’ve done this a thousand times.
I step back, somehow managing to be in the way in my own driveway.
“Where do you want the couch?” one of them calls.
I open my mouth—
But Violet speaks first.
“Living room,” she says smoothly, following behind them. “I’ll show you.”
I pause.
The mover nods and disappears inside.
I ignore Sebastian’s amused gaze and follow behind her.
“I have it covered,” I say when I catch up to her.
Her calm, unbothered gaze flicks to me. “I know. I’m just helping.”
…Okay.
Violet sets the cat carrier on the floor, out of the way of the moving madness.
“I’ll keep her company.” Ivy smiles at Violet. “I love Luna.”
Violet flashes a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
Ivy carries Luna toward the empty spare bedroom, murmuring sweet words and making soft cooing noises.
I look around in bewilderment.
I glance over at Violet, directing everything like an air traffic controller.
As more furniture is brought in, the movers keep looking to Violet—waiting for her instructions—and putting things exactly where she directs them. Like she’s the one who owns the place. And no one questions it.
“Not too close to the wall,” she says as they bring in a chair. “There’s an outlet behind it.”
I move closer, craning my neck to see it.
She’s right.
How the hell did she know that? She’s only been here once.
“I didn’t know that.”
She flashes me a smile, then hurries after the movers to shift the couch slightly.
I just watch.
When the last piece of living room furniture is brought in, and the movers head back out for the dining room set, Sebastian—who’s been leaning against the wall like he’s watching a show—finally speaks.
“Did you get a TV?”
I blink.
Fuck. How did I forget to buy a TV?
“I got him one,” Violet says, a set of curtains already in her hands.
Where did those even come from?
“Wait, what?” I look at her, shocked.
She smiles at me. “It’ll be here—” she glances toward the open front door. “Ah. Right on time.”
She waves a guy inside carrying a huge box.
My mouth opens.
Nothing comes out.
Violet instructs him where to put it, then turns toward the window like this is just a normal part of her day.
“Where did you get that?” I ask.
She looks at me over her shoulder. “I bought them.” She holds the curtains up. “Housewarming gift.”
I stare at her.
I wasn’t referring to the curtains, but whatever.
“And the TV?”
“Same.” She slides the curtain onto the rod with practiced ease. “You needed one.”
“What?”
She shrugs. “You would’ve gone with a smaller one because it’s cheaper. But you’re used to a bigger screen after living with Sebastian.”
I gape at her.
“I went furniture shopping with you. Remember? You didn’t consider a TV.”
Sebastian lets out a cough that sounds a lot like a laugh.
“Yours is seventy-five inches, right?” Violet asks him.
“Yup. Seventy-five.”
She looks back at me, pleased. “Yours is the same size.”
“But… I—”
“I grabbed a wall mount, too. If Sebastian doesn’t—”
“I do,” he cuts in. “I put mine up myself.”
“Perfect.” She nods once, like she’s checking something off a list. “You can put up Drew’s, right?”
Sebastian shrugs. “Sure.”
“Great.” She turns her attention back to the curtain, adjusting it like she’s done this before. “That’s handled.”
I glance at my brother.
The bastard is enjoying this.
His expression makes me want to punch him. Repeatedly.
“This isn’t funny,” I mouth.
His grin says otherwise.
I step closer and lower my voice. “Violet.”
“Where would you like the table, ma’am?” one of the movers asks.
She doesn’t hesitate.
“Oh—this way.” She sets the curtain rod in place, turns, and heads toward the kitchen. “Right here.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “When did I lose control of my own house?”
Why am I letting her?
The movers go back outside for the chairs.
“Violet, we need to talk.”
She looks at me, then heads to the bag on the living room floor. “You’ll have to follow me. I want to get these curtains hung.”
I run a hand through my hair. “Violet,” I huff.
She gives me a dazzling smile. “Don’t get your boxers in a bunch. I’ll take care of everything.”
She strolls past me, heading for the kitchen. I can’t help but admire her ass in those jeans.
Stop it.
I snap out of my daze and follow her. “I’ve got it covered.”
She slowly turns to look at me. “That’s why you didn’t have curtains. Or a TV.”
“I would’ve handled it.”
“Now you don’t have to.” She puts the curtain on the rod. “Don’t be embarrassed.”
“I’m not.”
She shrugs. “Don’t worry. These curtains will let in the perfect amount of light.”
The movers stroll into the room with the chairs.
“Bedroom suite is next,” one of them says to her.
“Okay. I’ll meet you back there.” Violet strolls out of the kitchen before I can get a word out.
I huff out a breath, then spin around.
Sebastian has that shit-eating grin on his face. It aggravates me even more.
I hear Ivy’s voice, and suddenly, all hell breaks loose.
A gray and white blur flies past me.
“Luna!” Ivy yells.
The kitten bolts down the hallway toward the open front door.
I take off running at the same time Violet does—and crash right into her.
“Ow.”
I grab her arms before she loses her balance.
“I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m… fine.” Her violet eyes meet mine, and something in them stops me cold.
She’s too close.
The smell of jasmine fills my lungs. The heat from her body warms mine.
It looks like she wants to kiss me.
My head lowers, my lips moving closer to hers.
She parts them in anticipation.
“Luna!” Ivy yells as she rushes past us. “No. You can’t go outside.”
I jerk back, the moment ruined.
Violet blinks, then pulls away.
“Luna.”
We both turn just as Sebastian steps in front of the door and scoops the kitten up before she makes her escape.
Both women let out relieved sighs.
But me?
I stand there, feeling foolish.
The old insecurities rear up.
Why would she want me?
I’m nobody special.
Average.
At least that’s what my ex said.
I watch as Sebastian hands the kitten to Violet. She cradles it like a baby, murmuring soothing words. Ivy stands beside her, stroking the kitten’s fur.
For one insane second, I imagine Violet as my wife. Holding our child in our house.
The moment shatters when she and Ivy jump aside as the movers carry the box spring inside.
Violet spins, immediately following them to the bedroom, still carrying Luna.
“Bed goes against that wall,” I hear her say as I follow her like I’m in a trance.
I step into my bedroom, watching as they set it down where she instructs.
“I didn’t say where I wanted it.”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “You don’t want it directly under the window. The light will wake you up too early.”
How does she know that?
Ivy materializes beside me.
“Give me Luna,” she says to Violet. “I’ll put her in the carrier and take her to the living room until they’re gone.”
The movers return with the headboard and mattress, talking to Violet like she lives here.
But she doesn’t.
When they leave to get the dresser, I move closer to her. “Violet—”
Sebastian comes in, carrying a lamp and a nightstand. “Figured I’d help.”
“Not that outlet,” Violet says, pointing. “The cord will show from there. Use that one.”
The movers return with the dresser, and she steps away to give them instructions.
I blow out a breath.
This isn’t the first time she’s known something she shouldn’t.
Okay, that’s enough.
I need control.
I stand there, watching Violet as she directs everything like a conductor.
And I don’t remember handing her the baton.
As soon as they leave the room, she approaches me. “Don’t worry. It’s going to feel like home faster than you think.”
“I’m not worried about—”
“Oh, good,” she says softly. “Then it already does.”