40. Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty
SETH
I hustled up the steps toward the door. I’d stayed later than I should have at Mason’s, heading straight for Violet’s event after leaving my brother’s house.
He was still a mess, and I had no idea how everything was going to turn out for him, but his situation had cemented even more for me what was important.
I hated that I had to leave him, but at least he was sober and he understood this was important, encouraging me to go and that he’d be fine.
I made my way inside and looked around, hoping I wasn’t too late.
My gaze landed on Violet, beautiful and sexy as hell in her black lacy dress that ended just above her knees. She stood talking to a woman and a man, and immediately I moved toward her.
The couple’s eyes widened as I approached.
Maybe I looked like a man on a mission. They nodded in my direction and Violet spun toward me.
As the couple turned and walked away, I prayed Violet wasn’t angry.
But the one thing I’d learned about her in the short time I’d gotten to know her was that she wasn’t one to get mad easily.
Not unless you took advantage of her easy-going personality, and I had no intention of ever doing that.
She tilted her head, assessing me. After what felt like a lot longer than a few seconds, my shoulders finally relaxed as she smiled brightly at me. “You made it.”
I wrapped her in my arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Of course I did.”
Did she doubt I would come? I told her I’d be late, but in no way would I not be here.
“I knew you would.” A lighthearted chuckle passed through her lips. “Well, okay, at first I wasn't sure. But once the initial shock and doubt wore off and I thought about it, I knew you wouldn't let me down.”
I’d made the almost three-hour drive in record time.
It would have taken me almost two hours to get back to Half Moon Lake from Charlotte, putting me there later than she needed to leave to get here on time.
I could have asked her to wait for me, and she probably would have.
And I probably could have made it if the traffic gods were feeling kind, but apparently they had other plans, as evidenced by the wreck on the main highway getting out of Charlotte.
I knew I couldn’t ask her to wait, either.
That would be selfish, and this event wasn’t about me.
That made the decision to come straight from Charlotte a little easier.
It would carve off a little bit of time, putting me here a bit late, but still better than the alternative.
Luckily, I’d planned on heading straight to her place after shift, so I already had everything I needed in the car when I left the station last night.
Her smile faded. “But, I did try calling after your text, and it kept going straight to voicemail.”
“Sorry about that.” I brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I forgot my charger and my phone died almost right after I sent you the text.”
“I’ll admit I was a little worried…”
I cupped her face with my hands. “Sorry I worried you.”
I hated that I did, and I knew she meant not only worried about me, but also if I’d be here. After her shitty ex, trusting probably didn’t come easy. But I would spend the rest of my life making sure she never had to doubt me, and making sure she forgot all about that asshole.
“But I knew if you were able to come, you’d be here.”
“There was no way I wasn’t going to be here.” I looked around, nervous that I had in fact missed her speech. “Please tell me I’m not too late.”
She shook her head. “No. They just started seating everyone.” With a wave of her hand, she gestured toward the open doors that led into a room set up with fancy, decorated tables.
“Perfect.” I lifted my elbow toward her. “Ready?”
She threaded her arm through mine and lifted on her tiptoes, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. “I love you.”
I grabbed the back of her head, holding her close and staring into her eyes. “I love you, too, baby.”
She melted into me as I brushed my lips against hers. A moment later, she rested her head against my arm and we made our way inside with the crowd.
“How’s your brother doing?” She asked, glancing up at me.
“Not great. He’s a wreck.” I flinched, not wanting to put a damper on the evening. “But I’m hopeful they’ll be able to work it out.”
“I hope so.”
We took our seats and made introductions with the rest of the couples at the table. She was the only one from her graduating class and, from what I could tell, the youngest one who had been invited to come speak.
Pride bloomed in my chest for this smart, amazing woman who had stolen my heart one fake date at a time. I never thought I’d be grateful for having to pull someone out of a fire, but I couldn’t be happier about how it ended for both of us.