Page 79 of She Was Made for Me

Violet’s gaze clashes with mine, then slides away. “We are,” she mumbles.

Rich smiles at us. “You two make a good team. We’re lucky to have you.”

I pull my lips into some semblance of a smile for my friend. My stomach is a tornado of guilt and shame as I think about the fact that we were just upstairs, having sex. My seed is probably still inside her at this very moment.

I sneak a glance at Violet. She shifts her weight, clamping her thighs awkwardly as we stand in the foyer.

Oh my God, I’m right. I should feel even worse about this, but some sort of primal, animal part of me loves knowing my seed is running down the inside of her thigh. It’s as if I’ve claimed her, made her mine, like I so desperately want to do.

Fuck.

I grind my jaw, hating myself. How can I want herthismuch and still be Rich’s friend? He’s like a brother to me and I can’t imagine my life without him.

Only now, I can’t imagine my life without Violet. And that makes everything a thousand times more complicated.

* * *

I setmy beer down with a sigh. Rich chose a Mexican restaurant on Montague Street, and even though the food is amazing, I can’t appreciate it. Violet is quiet beside me, barely touching her food or meeting my gaze.

Meanwhile, I’m struggling to keep my eyes and hands off her. We showered and changed before heading out, and she’s wearing the same white, off-the-shoulder top she wore to the Rogue Valley concert, her blonde hair falling in gentle waves onto her shoulders. Even with her somber mood, she looks radiant and beautiful, and all I want is to pull her close.

“What do you have planned for the long weekend?” Diana asks me as she swipes a tortilla chip through the guac.

I sip my beer, trying to get my thoughts in a row. “The what?”

“It’s Fourth of July weekend in three days,” Rich reminds me. “We were going to invite you both over for dinner on our terrace.”

“Oh. Right.” I forgot it was nearly the holiday weekend. I glance at Violet, trying to appear as if I couldn’t care less what she’s doing. “Will you go?”

She lifts a shoulder, twirling her margarita glass. “I don’t have anything else planned.”

I should be glad that she’ll at least be there, but being around her and not being able to touch her, to kiss her, is torture. Everything is torture now.

Violet excuses herself for the restroom and I watch her go, wishing I could follow her to steal a moment alone. But what’s the point? I can’t keep lying to Rich. It was one thing while they were out of town, but to sneak around when he could catch us? To have to face him, knowing what we’re doing? I can’t do that, and this afternoon was the wakeup call I needed.

“Unless you’re planning to spend the weekend at the lake,” Diana adds, bringing my thoughts back to the conversation.

The lake.

An idea germinates in my head, bringing with it a tiny bud of hope.

Shit, yes—the lake! That’s what I’ll do. I’ll take Violet up to the lake with me. We can spend a few days away from the city, alone. We can swim, and I’ll cook for her, and there will be no one to make us feel like we’re doing something wrong. It might not solve all our problems, but if it buys me a few more days with her, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything for that.

“Uh, actually, I was.” I reach for a tortilla chip and casually lift it to my mouth.

“That’s a great idea!” Rich grins over his beer. “We should all come up for the weekend.”

My eyebrows jump. “Who are you and what have you done with my friend?” My mouth hooks into a mocking smile. “You’ve literally just got back from vacation.”

He chuckles. “And it was a hell of a lot more fun than the office, I can tell you that.”

I shake my head, laughing quietly. This is not the Rich I know, and that’s a good thing.

But they can’t come up to the lake. That would defeat the entire purpose.

“I’d love to have you guys stay, but…” I rack my brain for what I can say to put them off, and know there’s only one thing for it. “I’ve actually, uh, met someone,” I begin, treading carefully. I don’t want to lie, and this gives me the chance to be somewhat honest. “I was hoping I could spend the weekend with her up there.”

Diana’s face breaks into a grin. “That’s great, Kyle! Tell us about her.”

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