Chapter 20
DECLAN
Isign the tablet for the delivery man who just dropped off my new mattress, along with linens.
The rest of the furniture and my stuff will arrive next week.
The man thanks me and heads back to his truck.
Yawning, I take a look out at the lake, thankful it’s sunny today.
I stretch my arms over my head and reflect how no amount of coffee will cure me of how tired I am after last night.
What a disaster.
Murder came to mind the moment I realized that Violet was on a date. Even though it quickly became apparent that she was set up, I hate the idea of any man thinking Violet is available.
She’s not. She’s mine. And she’s made it clear that she wants more.
I couldn’t answer her, because I’m not good at digesting my feelings in a flash. Time to process, and a solid scotch is how I assess. So, I went to the Dizzy Duck, and over a scotch had the most unreal experience that’s changed the road for Violet and me.
My head turns when I hear a new car arrive, and damn, my heart thumps with exhilaration because it’s Violet.
I wasn’t expecting her now, and I’ve been debating all day about how to approach her. Yet again, she is making this easy for me.
A smile begins to stretch on my lips, because she’s in my view, getting out of her car with a bouquet of flowers that look like roses but are not. Her sneer is sexy as hell, and I can tell she is still pissed, which she has a right to be.
“Vi.” Her name on my lips still feels far too good.
“You asshole!” She stomps my way before she throws the flowers at me, and my arms instantly come up to guard myself.
What the hell? She’s plain vicious. I’ve never seen her this way. And it’s one hell of a turn-on.
“Violet, what’s going on?” I look at her with concern.
Her hands shove against my chest. “You have some nerve! We have one little argument and you—you…” She can’t finish her sentence, instead she stomps on the flowers on the ground, destroying them further.
“Was it a little argument? I would hate to see your reaction after a big argument,” I note in astonishment at what she’s doing.
She shakes her head, and she looks near crushed.
“How dare you try to make a joke right now. I’m not the one who went to someone else when things got a little too real,” she seethes out, with her hands on her hips.
“What in the world are you talking about?” My brows pinch together.
She scoffs a sound of disbelief. “Really? You’re going to pretend nothing happened? The flowers are not from me, by the way. They are from someone who had a special night with you last night.” Violet seems to be mocking the note that must be for the flowers.
I’m even more confused. “I’m so lost.”
Violet with purpose opens the card and reads it aloud. “‘Thank you for our special night, and I can’t wait for this evening.’”
I try to puzzle piece last night together. What the hell did I do to have someone send me flowers and a card like that?
Oh.
She rips the card into a thousand pieces, while my confused state turns to watching her, because I’m entertained by her anger. It’s cute and hot, slightly crazy, but I like that about her.
“Stop smirking. I can’t believe this. This is how I find out that you…” She points a finger at me.
“That I what?” I step closer to her and wait for her answer.
A woman’s voice interrupts the stare-off that Violet and I are having. “Declan, I don’t know. I think we should go with a Portuguese-style backsplash in the laundry room.” Her eyes peer down to the ground at my feet. “Oh, you got my flowers, I see. Well, kind of.”
Violet glances at the woman then back to me, then returns to study the woman who smiles when she notices Violet. Her smile fades, then lines form on her forehead when her eyes fall again to the flowers on the ground, and she stares at them in bewilderment.
A laugh rumbles in my throat. “You sent me flowers, Mom?”
Watching all color drain from Violet’s face is priceless.
My mother smiles shyly. “I did. Though, I was going for whole flowers instead of pieces.”
Violet’s hands cover her face, as she’s horrified. “Your mom sent you these flowers?” Violet whispers.
“Why don’t I give you two a minute,” my mother suggests and pivots to head back into the house.
I tilt my head gently to the side as I watch guilt spread over Violet’s face.
“My mom came out to Lake Spark to see my house since my dad is away on business. She was getting in last night after dinner, that’s why I didn’t ask to see you.
But I did see you, and then I was pissed and ready to kill the sheriff.
To my surprise, my mother was a listening ear while I drowned myself in scotch. ”
Violet touches her forehead. “The special night?”
“She and I haven’t had a good conversation like that in years.” I shrug. “Maybe it was special.”
“Oh no, I feel mortified.” She glances at the flower graveyard at her feet. “I even went for the carnations instead of roses.”
“You devil woman,” I reply, while a smirk stays on my mouth. Her eyes meet mine, and I can tell that she feels guilty. “You really think that I would jump into bed with someone else?” Disappointment is apparent in my voice.
Violet lowers her head in near shame. “Truthfully, deep down, I don’t. On the surface, I was angry, and then the flowers. It seemed easier to be furious.”
I hook my fingers under her chin to guide her sight back to mine. “I just walked away.”
A somberness glazes her eyes. “I didn’t enjoy last night.”
“Me neither.”
“What’s tonight? According to the card that I just shredded, your mom is looking forward to tonight.”
A warm wave spreads across my chest, and even though I’m about to make a move that I’ve never done before, it feels right. I cup Violet’s cheeks and her eyes turn soft. “I wasn’t planning on my mom staying, but she’s in town until tomorrow because I asked her to stay. Want to join us for dinner?”
Surprise flickers in her eyes, but a gentle smile appears. “You want me to meet your mom?”
“Yeah, you can’t really say no now. I mean, you destroyed her sweet gesture,” I tease.
Violet laughs, and her head falls forward to rest on my shoulder. “What a first impression. I’m so sorry.”
“What do you say? I’ll get us a private table at the Dizzy Duck.”
Her beautiful eyes search my face for a clue because this is unfamiliar territory for us. “Are you sure?”
I don’t hesitate. “Yeah. I was about to head into town to ask you, but you showed up here in a rage first.”
“I killed the flowers. What kind of florist willingly murders flowers?” She’s in a dazed state, either because she really does feel sorry for the flowers, but my money is on that I’ve thrown her off by my invite.
I stroke her cheek with my thumb to assure her that I’m sincere. “You know, I’ve never had a woman meet my mom.” I try to sweeten the persuasion, realizing to myself that Violet is special.
It's not a clear answer to her question from last night, but it gives us a little direction. To where? I’m still not entirely sure, but I can’t let her walk away just yet.
Violet smooths her light pink dress while she sits across from my mother.
I can tell she put in effort. Violet has natural beauty, and she doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, but her lips have a little gloss, and I think she curled her hair slightly.
Violet apologized more times than I can count for destroying the flowers my mom ordered.
They were quick to ease into conversation with one another.
“This is exciting, Violet. I’ve never had the privilege to meet someone in Declan’s life. I’ve only seen pictures in the media of past… dates. Last night, my son couldn’t stop talking about you,” my mother explains, and already I might be regretting my decision about this evening.
“Really?” Violet is curious, and she rests her chin on her propped palm, intent on getting the full intel. “What did he say?”
“More wine, anyone?” I interrupt.
Both women tsk me away in unison.
“Well, I’m not sure a mother should break that trust, but you have his head in knots, for sure.” My mom dips her fork into her salad.
My mom and I exchange of look of affection.
In truth, I went to the Dizzy Duck, ordered a scotch, and found my mother in the bar having ordered a martini.
Within two minutes, she asked if my bitter mood had to do with the woman I rescued the other week when I left their house, and I caved and admitted yes.
Then the floodgates just opened, and it felt as though we could bond over something; the state of my dating life.
“Well, I can very much understand having your head in knots. It sometimes leads to a pool of flower petals at your feet.” Violet plays with her food.
My mother laughs, as she’s been enamored with Violet since moment one. “I should have realized that there is only one florist in Lake Spark. The dots just didn’t connect in my head.”
“It’s okay, next time flowers are on me. You’ll be back often?” Violet asks.
“Maybe. My son said I can decorate his new place as a project to keep me occupied and out of his love life,” my mom teases.
Violet smiles and looks at me, confirming that this is all going well.
“My mom has a talent for interior design,” I mention.
“Declan, stop. It’s not a talent. More that I know where to hang all of your hockey photos and throw some fancy tile around it,” she says, brushing me off.
I shake my head. “Nah, she’s good at it.”
“Figuring out where to place Declan’s thousands of photos is a difficult task. Have to go in chronological order,” Violet comments with a bit of tongue and cheek. “Don’t even get me started on the trophies. Shelving is key, but it’s already carrying his big ego.”
My mother eats it all up, and I have to grin that these two women are having a good time at my expense.
Violet gently touches my shoulder. “I’ll be right back, just going to head to the ladies’ room.”