Page 32 of Take Two

“How does he treat you?” I know that’s the most important thing to my dad.

“Like a queen,” I tell him.

“And he’s a gentleman?”

“He is.” Except when we’re in bed and he destroys my pussy, but I don’t need to tell my dad that.

“Good. Bring him over for dinner next Sunday. And take my book and have Victoria sign it.” It’s not a request. My dad hardly ever gives orders, but he’s always made it a point to meet any man in my life. He leaves me in the kitchen and returns moments later with a copy of Vickie’s book.

“I will, Dad, but I have to go now.” I get up, kiss his cheek, and hug him before he walks me to the car to see me off.

It takes me almost three hours to turn into the long winding gravel driveway leading to the secluded oceanfront mansion. There are several luxury vehicles, and I can hear music and voices. The front of the house is decorated with balloons and a giant posterboard of Vickie. There’s a Sharpie attached to it, and there are several signatures on the board. I take the Sharpie and sign my name. The house looks like a newly built property, not one of the older mansions on this island. It’s on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

I text Charlie to let him know I’m here. Since I didn’t put the top down on my dad’s convertible, I step out and grab the gift bag. I don’t bother bringing in my overnight bag. I can get that later.

I take a deep breath and approach the front door, suddenly anxious about how this news will be received by his family. It won’t only be Vickie and Colt, but his mother too, who arrived in New York two days ago.

A few seconds after ringing the bell, the door swings open, and Vickie is on the other side. She seems surprised to see me,but that only lasts for a fraction of a second. The surprise is soon replaced by what I think is disappointment.

“Violet,” she says, clearing her throat. “Come in.” She hugs me and says, “Um, did Colt—” She doesn’t finish her question because her husband comes in with several people following behind him.

“Hey, Violet,” he says, giving me that smile that reminds me so much of his brother. Except Charlie is so much sexier. “Queen Vee, you didn’t tell me you invited Violet.”

“Um, I—” Vickie begins. “I thought maybe you did,” she whispers.

She stops talking when I hand her the gift bag. “She didn’t invite me,” I tell Colt. “Congrats on your new book, Vickie. My dad’s already read it and loves it. I have his copy for you to sign for him.”

“Oh, thank you,” she says, finally giving me a happy smile. “I’d love to sign it.”

“Is she here?” a familiar female voice says from the back. “Colton,” Colt’s mother says, bursting her way through the throng of onlookers, “is Charlie’s girlfriend here?” She stops short when she sees me. “Oh, Violet, honey. I’m happy to see you, but please tell me you’re not here to work us out.” Her eyes widen as she looks to Vickie for some kind of explanation. “Vickie, did you ask Violet here to torture us?”

“Well, I’m—” I look around for Charlie but don’t see him. “I don’t think it’s torture,” I say, affronted by that word.

“You’re right on time,” Vickie says to me. “Remember Charlie’s girlfriend?” she whispers as if we’re gossiping. “Well, she will be here any minute.” She practically rubs her hands together. “I know Colt thinks he made her up, but—”

“Colton, your brother would not do such a thang,” Mary Leigh, Charlie’s mom, says. “Not again,” she giggles.

I look around everyone, but the only thing I see is a throng of people looking past me toward the front door while they talk in hushed voices.

“Are all these people here to meet Charlie’s girlfriend?” I ask Vickie.

“We sure are,” someone shouts from a few feet away.

“Oh, my God,” Colt says. “Mama, Queen Vee.” They turn to look at him and he gestures to me. “Lettie.” He tilts his head in my direction. “How did we not think of this before? Violet is Lettie,” he whispers as if I’m not standing right in front of him.

“What?” Vickie asks. “No, she’s not. It can’t be because—"

Vickie stops talking mid-sentence. Her eyes widen in shock as she looks at me, but before anyone else can question me, Charlie comes down the stairs. It’s like everyone but me and Charlie are frozen. The throng moves closer. No one speaks. I don’t think anyone blinks. Vickie covers her mouth with both hands and gasps. That’s the only sound in the room until Charlie reaches me and pulls me into his arms.

He hugs me tight. It’s not a hug friends share. Our bodies are too close. His hands rest too close to my ass. This is a hug only lovers’ exchange. He pulls away, cups my face, and kisses me. It’s not passionate by our standards but it’s possessive.

When he pulls away, he looks into my eyes and smiles down at me, and I wrap my arms around him, getting on my toes to kiss his cheek.

“No way,” Vickie whispers in awe. “Everyone, it’s been Violet the entire time.” Then she slaps Colt’s hand. “Why didn’t you put the pieces together before now? I’ve been dying to meet this girlfriend.” She pulls me from Charlie and hugs me again, taking a deep breath, and says, “Thank God. I already know I like you.” Then she turns to Charlie and says, “Well done. Whydidn’t you tell me you liked her? I could have worked my magic months ago. Just so you know, I’m taking credit for this too.”

Vickie starts to lead me outside, but Charlie catches up to me and pries me away from her. “Excuse me, but she’s mine,” he says. I stop short and look at him, loving that bit of possessiveness.

“Yeah, I am,” I say back. Charlie grins, but I notice Colt staring at us with an unreadable expression on his face.

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