Page 42 of Scotch & Dreams

“Miss you too, lady. How’s the head? Everything still good?”

“Yep, it’s been good, thank God. I still can’t believe how crazy it was that happened.”

“Which brings me to my next question. Have you made any friends there yet?” Sierra said it as if Violet might find herself in need again.

“A few. Actually, my friend Fiona was the one who told me about the horse thing. She’s going to be doing it too, and she introduced me to her friend Andy. We've hit it off, they've been really great.”

“Good, I’m glad you at least have someone out there. And what about a place? Any luck there? Or are you still living at the Airbnb?”

Violet snickered. “I’m still at the Airbnb, and I’m so over it. I’ve checked out a couple of places. One was perfect, but it came with a not-so-perfect price tag. I checked out this one place that should be condemned! It was disgusting and smelled like rotting vegetables.”

“Gross.”

“Yep, it was. Actually, I better get going. I’m meeting the agent at another place this afternoon. I’m afraid to hope.”

“Aww, well, I will hope for you that this one will be the one. Miss you, my friend. Good luck today, and remember, that dude’sjust not that into you, so forget about him!”

Violet laughed. “Yeah, yeah, I got it. Miss you too. Talk to you soon. Bye."

The cottage was too good to be true! But as Violet unlocked the door to her new place, the reality sunk in. Sun shone through the picture window, casting an inviting glow to the airy room. The old walnut wood floor creaked in welcome as she walked in. She strolled to the bedroom, where a view of the sea in the distance drew her to the window.

Oh, this place was perfect—so perfect. A little farther away from town than she would have preferred, but it was too good to pass up. And the price was right. It took a while to find. But she knew as soon as she saw it that it was the one. Another draw was how close it was to the horse sanctuary, literally a couple minutes’ walk down the most perfect little country road and only a fifteen-minute drive to town.

Violet sank into the navy winged-back chair and looked around the room, imagining where she might hang her non-existent artwork—one day. She sighed with contentment. Staring out at the green hills and that little patch of sea beyond them, Violet’s thoughts turned to Lachlan.

She had done well to get him off her mind this past month since speaking to Sierra, but somehow, the distant rhythmic sound of the rolling waves took her back to that evening in his lounge. And then the kiss in the hallway—one-sided, and yet not. Either way, it was burned into her soul. A delicious shiver tingled down her spine at the memory. A knock on the ajar front door pulled her from her reverie.

“Hello, anybody home?” Fiona called out.

Aware of the direction her thoughts had taken, Violet was glad for Fiona’s cheerful voice at her door.

“Welcome to my humble abode!” She spread her arms wide as she walked out of the bedroom to greet her friend.

“It’s simply gorge’, love! Let’s celebrate!” Fiona held up a bottle of champagne.

Violet whooped. “I’ll grab a couple of glasses!”

“Better grab me one too.” Andy strode in behind Fiona with more champagne in hand.

“Aww, you guys are the best!”

Fiona and Andy plunked themselves down on the white shabby chic overstuffed couch.

“Pretty great little place, Violet,” Andy quipped as he made himself comfy.

Violet walked back into the living room and looked around meaningfully. “It is, isn’t it?”

Andy did the honours, popping a bottle open and pouring them each a fizzy glass. They held them up for a toast. “First, apologies that we are having champagne out of coffee mugs. I might need to add champagne flutes to the shopping list!”

“Uh, yeah, ye do.” Fiona laughed.

“Thank you guys for everything. I’m so grateful that you interrupted my reading. I'll never forget the deadpan first words out of your mouth and the side eye you threw me: 'is it fuckin' steamy?’”

Fiona grinned widely, her signature bold coloured lipstick on full display. "I'm always looking for new recommendations for my TBR.”

"What in God's name is TBR?" Andy eyed them like he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.

"To be read," Violet and Fiona responded in unison, then giggled.

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