Page 88 of She Was Made for Me

Violet and I arrived back from the cabin a week and half ago, and nothing changed. After we both confessed we’d fallen in love, there was no going back to how things were. There was no ending it, despite both of us being uncomfortable lying to Rich. Instead, we’ve avoided every request from him to meet up, throwing ourselves into work on the house.

And now, it’s complete. The crew finished up with us yesterday, and today Rich and Diana will stop by to see the final product. After that… honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Violet and I haven’t talked any further about the idea of staying in the city and working together, being together. I know we both want it, and I know there’s only one way we can make it happen. I either need to man up and tell Rich, or let her go, but telling him will mean losing him. I have to choose between my best friend and the woman I’ve fallen in love with.

Then there’s the impact it could have on Vi’s relationship with Rich, too. I can’t stand the thought of being the reason they might fall out. I’d never forgive myself.

The images from my dream flash back to me and I grimace, rubbing the back of my neck. I’ve had feelings for Violet since we met, and I don’t have any more answers now than I did then. If anything, it feels a million times worse.

I cast my gaze across the river, my heart heavy as the sun slowly turns the sky a gentle gold. I never thought I’d fall in love with Violet, and I certainly never thought I’d fall back in love with this city. Yet, here I am. Turns out coming back to New York for this project was exactly what I needed after all.

I check the time with a sigh. It’s after six; time to head back to the house. Violet and I need to have a serious chat before Rich arrives, and dread weighs heavy on me as I plod half-heartedly through the Heights. I don’t know what the outcome of that conversation will be, but either way it will mean losing someone I love.

Warm light spills from the windows of Joe’s Coffee as I pass, and I’m about to step inside when I see the ‘closed’ sign is still up in the door. With a frown I turn to go, then notice the brunette barista—Daisy—waving to me through the window. She approaches the door and unlocks it.

“I’m not technically open for another fifteen minutes, but you can come in.”

“Thanks.” I follow her inside and she locks the door behind me.

“Let me guess—decaf cappuccino and triple shot Americano?”

“Yeah, thanks.” I pay for the coffee, then find myself drifting over to the spot where I first met Violet, by the framed history of the area on the wall. I sink down into a chair as I wait for Daisy to make our drinks, so lost in thought I don’t even notice they’re ready until she sets the to-go cups on the table in front of me.

“Everything okay?” she asks. “You seem a bit glum.”

I can’t summon the energy to lie, so I simply give a solemn shake of my head.

She gazes at me for a moment, then tentatively says, “I hope this isn’t out of line for me to ask, but… does it have something to do with Violet?”

My brows spring up in surprise. “How do you…?”

Her mouth curves into a little smile. “You know when she went out on a date about a month ago? She actually spent most of that night with me.” Daisy gives an awkward laugh. “The date was a bust, then she and I went for burgers. I made her stay out late so you’d get jealous and make a move.”

I stare at her in disbelief. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” She grins. “Did it work?”

“Did what work?”

“Did you ask her out?”

I cringe as I recall how I devoured her before asking her out, but it definitely worked. “Yes.”

Daisy eyes me for a moment, then lowers herself into the seat opposite. “I know things are a little complicated, with her dad and all.”

“She told you about him?”

“She did. We had a lot of time to kill.”

I chuff a morose laugh. “Right.” There’s an awkward silence during which neither of us seems to know what to say, so I reach for the coffees and rise to go, when Daisy speaks again.

“Violet’s really cool. I hope things work out with you guys.”

And my whole body slumps back down into the chair in defeat. I haven’t had anyone to talk to about this, and unburdening myself on our local barista hardly seems appropriate, yet the words rise to my tongue anyway.

“I’m not sure they will. Things with her dad make it almost impossible.”

Daisy gives a quiet nod. “I understand. But it’s not every day you find someone you really care about, right? I guess you need to decide if she’s worth fighting for.”

“Her father is my best friend. He’s like a brother. He’d never forgive me if he found out.”

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