55. Drew
DREW
Violet and I finally crawl out of bed when we can no longer ignore our growling stomachs.
She walks to my closet and pulls out a tee. It hits her mid-thigh. It should be illegal for one of my shirts to look that good on her. I almost drag her back to bed.
I pull on a pair of sweatpants, then grab her in my arms. “You look hot wearing my shirt.”
She gives me a sexy grin. “Good. Maybe I’ll wear it all day. And night.”
“No complaints from me.”
As soon as I open the bedroom door, a hungry Luna flies in, looking pissed off. Violet scoops her up, stroking her fur.
“I’ll feed you,” she murmurs into her fur.
I smile, put my arm around her, and guide her into the kitchen, a purring Luna in her arms. She heads straight to the cabinet with Luna's food.
I open my mouth, then close it.
Not today.
Today, I'm choosing peace.
“How about some eggs. I have bacon—"
The doorbell rings, cutting me off.
I groan. “Sebastian has terrible timing.”
My gaze glides over Violet. Her legs are bare beneath my shirt. Her hair is a mess. So is mine, judging by the way it’s falling into my eyes.
We definitely look like we had sex.
But I lived with Ivy and Sebastian, so they’ll have to deal.
“Do you want me to get it?” she asks.
“No,” I say quickly, kissing her forehead. “I’ve got it.”
She watches me for a second longer, then nods.
As I head to the door, a smile curls my lips.
Violet looks like she belongs here.
Like waking up, feeding our cat, and making breakfast is normal.
It turns me on more than it should.
Adjusting myself in my sweats, I continue toward the door, running a hand through my hair as I go.
The doorbell rings again.
“Alright, I’m coming.”
I open the door—
And freeze.
“Well,” Julia says coolly, her eyes slowly raking over me. “That explains a lot.”
My stomach drops. “…Julia.”
My ex-wife stands on the porch like she owns it.
Perfectly put together.
Perfectly composed.
She takes me in—bare chest, sweats, messy hair—and her gaze sharpens. “I didn’t realize you’d moved on this quickly.”
“I—what are you doing here?”
“I was in the area,” she says, like that explains anything. “Thought I’d stop by.”
Of course she did.
“Now isn’t a good time.”
“No. I guess it’s not.”
Her eyes flick past me into the house.
Violet steps beside me, her body brushing mine, calm as ever.
Julia goes still.
And for the first time since I’ve known her, she looks unsure.
Violet doesn’t say anything. She just stands there, crossing her arms over her chest as her gaze rakes over Julia.
Julia stares back before her gaze snaps back to mine.
“This is… new,” she says.
“Yeah. That’s one way to put it.”
Violet steps closer, positioning herself slightly in front of me.
Claiming me.
Julia notices.
“And you are?” Julia asks.
“Violet,” she replies calmly. “The one who really cares about Drew.”
Julia studies her, measuring her. Searching for cracks.
Violet just stares at her, not intimidated by my ex-wife.
“This is unexpected,” Julia says. “I never imagined—"
“It isn’t. Not to me,” Violet replies.
Julia blinks. “What?”
Violet’s expression doesn’t change. "I know Drew's worth." She stares at Julia. “You don’t.”
Julia’s mouth drops open.
“You never did.”
Every word settles somewhere deep inside me.
“You know nothing about me,” she huffs.
“Don’t I?” Violet arches her brows, her gaze slowly gliding over her. “I know enough.”
Julia looks at me. “This is a mistake.”
My jaw tightens. “I agree. You should leave.”
Her hands clench into fists.
“You don’t even know her,” Julia says, her eyes flicking to Violet before locking with mine again.
I look at Violet.
The woman who knows my coffee order.
My routines.
My fears.
The parts of myself I don't show anyone.
I wrap my arm around Violet, pulling her against me. “I know enough.”
Violet looks up at me, a smile curling her lips.
Julia huffs out a breath.
“This is exactly why things didn’t work between us,” she says. “You rush into things. You don’t think.”
That used to bother me.
Now it doesn’t.
"Or maybe I just rushed into the wrong thing before."
Julia’s expression hardens.
Then she straightens. “Good luck with that.”
She turns and walks away without another word.
We don’t say anything as we move so I can close the door.
I turn to her, leaning my forehead against hers.
“…Well,” I murmur. “I didn’t have that on my bingo card.”
“Mm,” Violet hums, a slow smile curling her lips. She leans into me, calm and unshaken.
“You don’t seem surprised,” I say.
“I’m not.”
“Why?”
“I pay attention.”
I let out a breath.
I pull her closer. Everything else disappears.
“You’re staying,” I say.
“Yes.”
My lips meet hers.
Good.
Because somewhere along the way, she started feeling like home.