Chapter 15
Violet
Adrian has been waiting so long to go fishing.
We have never been, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
Josy knows and is more than happy to take us and teach Adrian how to fish. I have been watching videos on YouTube to learn how, and I bought all the things we need. We are all packed—I added snacks, sodas, towels, and sunscreen to our bag. We are going to have a fun day at the river and I am beyond excited.
“Adrian, it’s time to go! Are you done?” He takes so long to get dressed. I bet anything that if I go to his room, he’ll be playing on his iPad instead of getting ready.
When Adrian comes running from his room, I realize that I’m right.
“Mom, I need a new swimsuit. These are getting too tight,” he says while trying to stretch the fabric at his waist. And they are in fact getting too small for him.
“I guess you will have to wear those, that’s what’s trending these days. Short, tight trunks,” I say with a smirk.
“Bruh, are you for real? That’s not trending at all. Why would I walk around with trunks that are so tight that I can’t even fart?”
“Are you sure that you can’t? I know for a fact that you can fart alright,” I say with a grin on my face.
“I’m sure. I’m just growing. Besides, I don’t care about trends.”
“If you say so, but if I were you, I’d watch more videos on fashion and how to properly wear swimming trunks. The ladies will always go for the cute guy that wears trendy clothes.” At my words, Adrian comes on top of me and starts hugging me very tight, and I start laughing. All his weight is on me, and we fall to the floor.
“Take it back, Mom. You will help me find new trunks, or I will start tickling you,” Adrian says.
“Okay, okay. I’m messing with you.” Adrian starts tickling me even though he said he wouldn’t. “Stop! I will help you.” I try to yell in the midst of my laughing fit.
Adrian stops and starts filling my face with kisses, and I can’t stop laughing.
I’m going to miss these moments when he grows up…
Just then, Josy walks in, dressed in a simple sundress with her swimsuit underneath. “Are you two ready?” she asks with a smile.
“Yes, just finishing up here,” I say, still catching my breath. I’m wearing short, shorts and a tank top, with the top of my pink swimsuit peeking out.
“Let’s go, people,” Josy says while she walks toward the door of the apartment.
The drive is filled with Adrian’s chatter about fishing techniques he’s learned and what kind of fish he hopes to catch. I smile, listening to him, and feel a sense of contentment. This day is going to be perfect.
When we arrive at the river, the beautiful scenery takes my breath away. The clear water, surrounded by lush trees, is serene and inviting. There are families that are either fishing or just enjoying the water. I find a good spot to set up our picnic, and Adrian immediately runs to the water’s edge.
“I forgot to grab some things from the car. I will come back fast and help you set up,” Josy says as she starts walking to the car.
As I’m setting up, I notice Austin a little farther down sitting on a beach chair and fishing with his friends. I recognize Noah but not the other guy. Austin sees me and walks over, his confident stride making my heart flutter.
He is wearing light blue swim trunks and white long-sleeve shirt that hugs his chest and arms just right. He has an athletic build that has been hiding under his work clothes. Now it’s very noticeable and it makes it hard to look away. The way his muscles move beneath the fabric it’s impossible not to notice. His short beard gives him that rugged edge, but there’s something easygoing about him too. He fits right into the peaceful setting, like this is exactly where he’s meant to be.
As he walks over, my cheeks warm, betraying me. I try to focus on something else, but my gaze keeps drifting back to him. Just then, Adrian runs up to grab his fishing rod, pulling me back into the moment before I get too lost in my thoughts.
“Hi, Violet,” Austin says.
“Hi, Austin,” I reply, feeling a little nervous. “This is my son, Adrian. Adrian, this is Mr. Austin.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Austin,” Adrian says politely.
“Nice to meet you too, Adrian. You can drop the mister and just call me Austin,” he responds with a friendly grin.
“How do you know my mom?” Adrian asks with a seriousness that I have never seen.
“I’m the architect creating the house of her dreams, and I also see her every day at the coffee shop,” Austin explains.
“Okay, do you know how to fish?” Adrian asks.
“Yes, I do. Do you know how to?” Austin replies.
“Nope, today is my first time. I’ve been watching videos on YouTube with my mom. I’ll be trying what I learned today.”
“That’s cool! You’re pretty smart,” Austin says, nodding his head as he winks at me. “What if I go with you and teach you what I know? I’ve been fishing since I was your age, I think I know a few things. What do you say? Well, if that’s okay with your mom, of course.”
“Sure,” I say, smiling at Austin’s willingness to help.
“Okay. Let’s see what you know, bruh,” Adrian says eagerly.
“Adrian…” I say, glaring at him because he knows I despise when he calls adults “bruh”. Adrian just smiles back as he goes with Austin.
As Austin and Adrian head toward the water, Noah and the other guy come over. Noah is wearing black swim trunks with a black long sleeve shirt, while the guy next to him is wearing pink swim trunks and no shirt. Both of them look very handsome. I have seen the other guy at the coffee shop, but I don’t know him.
“Hi, Violet. It's nice to see you again. How are you?” Noah says to me.
“Hi. I’m doing great. Having a nice Sunday at the river for the first time.”
“I assume that your little boy is the one learning how to fish with Austin?” Noah asks, nodding in the direction where Adrian and Austin are.
“Yes. That’s my son.”
“Dude, don’t you have manners?” the man next to him says.
“My bad. This is my friend, Esteban. Esteban, this is the client I told you about, Violet.”
“Nice to meet you, Violet. I've heard a lot about you from Austin and Noah. I’ve also seen you at the coffee shop.”
“Yes. I work with my best friend, Josy.”
“We know. Where is she, by the way?” Noah asks, looking around for Josy.
“She left her bag in her car. She should be here any minute. Have you guys known Josy long?” I ask them.
“Yes,” they both answer at the same time.
“We went to school together. She was three grades our junior, but we hung out,” Esteban says.
“Oh, that’s cool.” At that exact moment, Josy comes over with her bag in hand.
“What’s up, Esteban? Hi, Noah,” Josy says. While she is smiles toward Esteban, her demeanor changes when she looks at Noah. Instead of the big smile she just gave Esteban, she looks at Noah with a serious expression. She acknowledges him but is clearly not thrilled. I wonder why Josy doesn’t like Noah anymore, but I decide not to bring it up. But that still makes me want to ask what the heck is happening right now.
“How are you, my beautiful Josy?” Esteban asks.
"I'm good, Esteban. Enjoying the day,” Josy replies, giving him a warm smile. Then she turns to Noah with a more reserved expression.
“Hey, Josy,” Noah replies, his tone friendly but cautious.
We chat for a while, but it’s clear Josy is more comfortable talking to Esteban. After a while, Esteban and Noah join Austin and Adrian, and Josy and I just watch them from our seats.
Austin patiently teaches Adrian how to fish, showing him how to cast the line and reel it back in. Watching from a distance, a surge of gratitude washes over me. It’s something his own father never did, and seeing Austin take the time means the world to me.
At one point, Austin takes off his shirt, revealing a toned body and impressive abs. I try not to stare, but it’s hard not to be impressed. Josy nudges me with a knowing grin, and I roll my eyes at her.
“You’ve got good taste,” she whispers, making me blush.
“Yeah, I think I do. What do you think about Noah and Esteban?” I ask Josy as we watch the guys talk to each other.
“They're okay, I guess. I’ve known them my whole life.”
“I know. But why haven’t you said anything before? You stopped talking about Noah all of a sudden a long time ago, and I don’t know why,” I ask her. It’s so weird that I’ve been in this town for over a month, and she hasn’t mentioned him once.
I know Noah used to be her best friend back when we were in college. I also know she had a massive crush on him. But one day, she just stopped talking about him, and at the time, I was too busy being a mom and a wife to ask her about it.
“Because we’re not that close anymore, so I don’t talk about them.”
“And what happened that you’re not close anymore? You never told me.”
“Nothing, we just drifted apart,” Josy says, looking away from me. This bitch is lying to me. But, I will let it go. She will tell me eventually. There’s something there that she doesn’t want to tell me. I see the way that Noah stares at Josy, and I also see how she tries not to look at him, but she is indeed looking at him whenever she thinks he is not watching her.
“Uh-huh,” I say, giving her a knowing look. “You’re not fooling anyone, you know.”
Josy blushes slightly and shrugs. “It’s nothing, really. Just...complicated.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Complicated how?”
She sighs, glancing over at Noah again. “We used to be really close, but things happened. People change.”
“I remember that you were close. Do you still have feelings for him?” I ask.
Josy’s eyes widen, and she shakes her head vehemently. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just...we have a lot of history.”
I nod, deciding to let the subject drop for now. “Alright, but you know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
“Yeah, I know,” she says with a small smile. “Thanks, Vi.”
We both turn our attention back to the guys. Austin is crouched next to Adrian, patiently explaining something as Adrian listens intently, his eyes wide with fascination. It’s heartwarming to watch them—like they’ve known each other forever. The way that Austin takes the time to connect with him makes me see him in an entirely new light.
The sun is high now, and the heat is getting intense. I turn to Josy, wiping the sweat off my forehead. “I’m going to the water. Wanna join me?”
“Absolutely,” she says, already reaching for the hem of her dress.
As we start shedding layers, a wave of self-consciousness washes over me. I brought a one-piece bathing suit, nothing too revealing, but even so, I feel exposed. My stomach tightens as I glance down at my body. Every insecurity bubbles to the surface—how my thighs look, the softness around my middle, the way I imagine people might judge me.
I glance around, but no one seems to be paying attention. Austin and Adrian are too wrapped up in their little project, and the peaceful surroundings offer a small comfort. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to peel off my shorts and shirt and drape them over the back of my chair.
“Love your suit,” Josy says, her tone bright and genuine. She’s already down to her two-piece green bikini, and she looks flawless. Her body is toned and curvy in all the right places, the kind of figure that turns heads. “I wish I had a body like yours,” I mutter, trying to sound casual, though I can feel the vulnerability in my voice.
Josy spins toward me, her expression incredulous. “Woman, have you looked at yourself in the mirror? That bathing suit makes you look fucking hot. Just look at your ass!” She gestures dramatically, making me laugh despite myself. “I wish my ass looked like that. And don’t even get me started on your curves—you’re a bombshell, Violet.”
A smile tugs at my lips, and I shake my head. “Thanks, Josy. I guess we’re both hot bitches.”
“Damn right, we are,” she says, grabbing my hand and leading me toward the water.
The river feels cool and inviting against my skin as we wade in, and I let out a contented sigh. The current is gentle, lapping around us as we drift deeper. Josy splashes me, laughing, and I retaliate with a wave of water that catches her right in the face.
“Hey!” she squeals, sputtering and laughing as she flicks water back at me.
For the first time in a while, I let myself relax. The insecurities that felt so heavy moments ago seem lighter now, swept away by the joy of being in the moment with my best friend. The sun shimmers on the water’s surface, casting golden ripples, and the sound of Adrian’s laughter floats over from the shore.
I haven’t been able to stop sneaking glances at Austin and Adrian. There’s something mesmerizing about watching them together. Adrian’s enthusiasm and Austin’s patient, easy demeanor create a picture that tugs at my heart.
I catch Austin looking at me on multiple occasions. Each time, his gaze lingers just long enough to send a flutter through my chest. He’s not subtle, but there’s no awkwardness in it—just a quiet confidence that feels disarming. In his eyes, I see desire, unspoken but unmistakable.
The feeling is unfamiliar, yet not unwelcome. For so long, I’ve shied away from even entertaining the idea of someone looking at me like that—seeing me as more than just a mom, a woman piecing her life back together. But Austin… He doesn’t look at me with pity or judgment. Only warmth, curiosity, and something deeper that I can’t quite name.
He hasn’t approached me yet—too busy with Adrian and the guys, laughing and casting lines into the river. But that doesn’t stop me from enjoying the view. His broad shoulders catch the light as he moves, the subtle strength in his arms as he casts the fishing rod, the easy way he carries himself. There’s an unspoken power in his presence, one that calms me even as it sets my pulse racing.
I let myself relax in the water, leaning back with Josy by my side, the sun warming my face. Each time our eyes meet, I feel a little braver, a little bolder, like maybe this new chapter of my life could hold more than I dared to dream.
As the sun dips lower in the sky, casting golden hues over the river, we start packing up our things. Adrian chatters excitedly with Esteban and Noah, recounting every detail of his day with animated gestures. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I can’t help but smile as I watch him.
I glance up to see Austin walking toward me, his steps deliberate, his expression thoughtful. He’s carrying his tackle box in one hand, his shoulders relaxed but purposeful.
“Hey, Violet,” he says, his voice smooth and warm, wrapping around me like a gentle breeze. “I was wondering if you’d like to meet for dinner sometime this week. We can go over the changes I made to your house plans.”
My heart skips, the unexpected invitation sending a mix of nerves and excitement through me. “That sounds great,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “When were you thinking?”
“How about Thursday evening? Around seven?” His eyes hold mine, steady and hopeful.
“Thursday at seven works for me,” I reply, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks despite my best efforts to stay composed.
“Perfect,” Austin says, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll see you then. By the way, Adrian’s a fast learner. I’m just bummed none of us caught anything today. He was so determined.”
“Really? Thank you so much for helping him,” I say earnestly. “I don’t know anything about fishing, and I was going to let Josy teach him. So I’m really grateful you took the time to spend with him.”
“Anytime. Adrian’s a great kid,” Austin replies, his voice full of genuine warmth. “He’s funny, too. The guys and I had a lot of fun hanging out with him.”
“Yeah, I saw him laughing so much,” I say, glancing over to where Adrian is still talking animatedly. “He looked like he was having the time of his life.”
Before Austin leaves, he pauses, his gaze softening as it meets mine. “By the way, you looked beautiful today,” he says, his voice dropping slightly.
The unexpected compliment makes me blush, my cheeks warming under his steady gaze. “Thank you,” I manage, my voice a little quieter than I intended.
“I’ll see you Thursday at seven,” he adds, his smile widening just enough to show the dimple on his left cheek.
“See you then,” I reply, giving a slightly awkward wave as he turns to gather his things.
I watch him walk away, my heart still fluttering. I feel something unfamiliar—hope. Something about Austin makes me feel seen, like he looks beyond the surface and really sees me.
Noah and Esteban also come and say bye to Josy and me. We finish packing and head home. As soon as we arrive at my house, Josy enthusiastically suggests, "How about a movie night? We can shower and then you guys can come over to my place."
Adrian and I agree, and we start to unload the car. As I approach our apartment, I notice a note stuck to the door. Curiosity piqued, I grab it and head upstairs.
"Adrian, go take a shower first while I unpack the cooler and snacks," I tell him.
"Okay, Mom," he replies, disappearing into the bathroom.
I set the cooler on the counter and carefully open the note. The handwriting is neat, almost elegant, and the message makes my heart skip a beat:
"I didn't know that you look wonderful in a bathing suit. You took my breath away."
Confusion washes over me. This is the second note I've received, and I can't help but wonder who it's from. My first thought is Austin, but that doesn’t make sense—he left the river with us. Setting the note aside, I focus on unpacking the rest of our stuff, my mind swirling with questions.
Once everything is put away, I head to my room to shower and get ready for our movie night at Josy’s. The hot water soothes my tired muscles, but the mystery of the note lingers on my mind. After getting dressed, I find Adrian ready and waiting. Together, we walk over to Josy’s house.
Josy has already set up a cozy movie area with blankets and popcorn. "Ready for some fun?" she asks, smiling brightly.
"Absolutely," I reply, determined to push the mysterious note from my mind and enjoy the evening with my friend and Adrian.
As the movie starts, I steal a glance at my son, his face lit up with excitement. Moments like these remind me of what truly matters.