Page 80 of She Was Made for Me

The corkscrew of guilt turns in my gut. I should have seen that coming.

“Uh, well… it’s new, and I’m not really ready to talk about it yet.” At least that much is true. “But…” I shake my head, looking down into my beer bottle in an attempt to hide my smile. “She’s amazing.” Then I fold my lips closed to stop myself from blurting out words I can’t take back. Words like, “She’s your daughter, and I think I’m falling in love with her.”

Diana reaches for my hand and squeezes. “I could tell something was different about you. It’s wonderful to see you happy.”

“Thanks,” I murmur, unable to meet her eye. I don’t know if she’d feel the same if she knew who it was we were discussing, but one problem at a time.

“Alright.” Rich sends me a sly smile. “We can do the holiday weekend without you if it means you’re finally getting back out there.” He loads a tortilla chip with black bean dip, changing the subject. Or at least, he thinks he is. “How’s it been working with Vi? She giving you any trouble?”

She’s giving me many things, but trouble isn’t one of them.

I can feel the heat on my neck as I shake my head. “She’s been great,” I say, trying my best to keep my tone even. I remember how worried she is about impressing Rich, and add, “Very good at what she does. She’s the reason the entire project is running so smoothly.” It’s easy to say because it’s the absolute truth.

Rich beams at me. “I knew she’d be great.” He reaches for Di’s hand with a proud sigh. “Our little girl is all grown up.”

There’s a punch of nausea in my stomach. God, I hate it when he calls her that.

Rich’s gaze swings back to me with a genuine smile. “Thanks for looking out for her on this project.”

I drop my gaze to my drink, giving a stiff nod, overcome by so much guilt I can’t look at him. Instead, I set my beer down and rise from the table, needing a second to stew in my self-loathing alone.

“Could you excuse me for a moment? I have to… make a quick call.” I make a show of pulling my phone out as I step away from the table and head to the back of the restaurant, looking for the restroom. It’s around a corner and along a corridor, and I find it just as Violet steps out.

My heart lifts at the sight of her. She’s so lost in thought, her head bowed, she almost walks right past me.

“Hey.” I put a hand out to softly touch her arm and she stops, looking up at me with sad eyes that make my chest tight, that make any guilt I’m feeling evaporate. What matters isher. Us.

She attempts a faint smile in response, then looks past me as if to keep walking. I grab her hand and tug her back into the restroom, locking the door behind us.

“What are you doing?”

“Come up to Maine with me for the long weekend,” I say in a rush.

She blinks. “What?”

I take her hands in mine. “I want you to spend the holiday weekend at my cabin with me.”

Her eyes widen in surprise, a hint of a smile touching her lips. “Are you serious?”

“I’m so fucking serious. I know we said two weeks, but…” I shake my head. “I’m not ready for this to be over, Vi.”

She stares at me for a long moment, and I wonder if she’s having second thoughts of her own, but then she pushes up onto her toes to kiss me. I wrap her in my arms and hold her close, relief making my heart beat hard in my chest.

It’s not over yet. It doesn’t have to end yet.

“That sounds amazing,” she whispers, burying her face in my neck. She draws away with a huge grin. “I can’t wait to see your cabin. But…” Her grin wobbles. “What will we tell Mom and Dad?”

I swallow. “I told them I met someone and will be spending the weekend with her in Maine.” Violet’s mouth pops open in surprise. “I was very vague,” I add quickly. “Said it was new and I didn’t want to talk about it.”

She nods, running her gaze across my face for a beat. “Are you sure… Look, I know this is a big deal, but are you sure we couldn’t just tell them the truth? It might be awkward at first, but…”

I think of Richard calling Violet his ‘little girl,’ of the way he thanked me for looking out for her, how much he trusts me.

“I can’t—” The words lodge in my throat. “Your dad would kill me.” I sigh as I stroke her hair. “You’re not the only one who’s worried about letting him down, sweetheart.”

Her face falls, and she nods. “Yeah, I get it.”

I take a deep breath. “If that means you don’t want to come to Maine, I understand.”

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