Page 104 of Body Check

Gavin winced. “In my case, that could be quite literal, if I don’t make some changes. Besides, this will give me more opportunity to spend time with Dakota.”

Dakota reached out, touching his thigh under the table.

“After the girls are down for the night, I’d like to talk to you about something, Gavin,” Violet said, smoothing her hand over Daisy’s hair. The little girl had soup smeared across her cheek as she shoveled more in.

“Yes, of course.” Gavon glanced at Dakota, a little puzzled, but he nodded too, so clearly, he knew what was going on. It left Gavin feeling curious, but Lily fussed, and the conversation moved on as Jeff got up to fix her a bottle.

Gavin practically had to arm-wrestle Violet into letting him help clean up after dinner, but after, when the girls had been tucked into bed, the adults gathered in the cozy, warm living room.

Violet opened the bottle of wine, offering some to Gavin. The doctor had also advised he cut down on alcohol consumption, but red wine was supposed to be good for the heart, right?

When they were seated and Dakota and Jeff were enjoying sugar cookies cut out in Christmas shapes, liberally covered in frosting and sprinkles, Violet gave Gavin a tentative smile. “I’d like to talk to you about something.”

“Okay,” he said, wondering if this was one of those ‘treat my sibling well or I’ll bury you’ speeches he’d heard about but neverexperienced, because Rory hadn’t been particularly close to his family.

“I’d like it to be … separate from work.”

Gavin frowned, not sure he understood. “As in, you want this to be a conversation with the guy your brother is dating and not someone you work with?”

“Sort of.” Her gaze darted to Dakota before returning to him. “I like you as a person and colleague, Gavin. If I take away the thought that you’re Dakota’s boss, I like the idea of you two together. But I have some reservations that have nothing to do with him at all.”

Gavin sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “I know I don’t have a great track record with relationships and?—”

A startled expression crossed her face. “Oh, no. Not that. That’s … that’s between you and Dakota. This is aboutme, actually.”

“I don’t understand,” he admitted.

“I know.” She glanced down at her wineglass and took a deep breath. “Gavin, I’m a trans woman.”

He blinked. “Okay?”

Dakota reached out, touching his thigh lightly.

When Violet didn’t continue, Gavin looked around the room. “I’m sorry. I … I still don’t understand. I’m happy you feel comfortable sharing with me, I’m not quite sure what you want me to say.”

She smiled softly. “I get that.”

He glanced at Dakota. “Is this a test? I mean, I know people in the gay community aren’t always as supportive of trans people as they should be, but that’s not me. I hope you didn’t think learning this would change how I view you, Violet, or anything of the sort.” He looked back at her.

“No,” Violet said with a quiet laugh. “It wasn’t a test. Though, I think if it had been, you’d have passed it with flying colors. A non-reaction is perfect. I wanted to tell you because—because I haven’t always been as outspoken about it as I could. Truthfully, I’m very happy in my quiet little life with my family, doing a job I love. I like to think that my gender is the least interesting thing about me, and I’d rathernotbe the poster person for trans rights but I’m beginning to think it might be necessary to speak out about it more.”

“Because of something happening within the Harriers organization?” Gavin asked, concerned.

“Oh, no.” She looked startled. “Just the general state of the world around us.”

“I understand,” Gavin said, relaxing a little. Because for all of the forward progress there’d been in his lifetime, there was an obvious backlash happening as well. But he didn’t have any control over that.

Hedidhave control over what happened in the organization. And there would be hell to pay if someone had made her feel unwelcome in any way.

“When I initially realized you and Dakota were involved, it upset me. Not because I don’t like you, but because I was concerned it threatened my peace and stability. If it came out you two were hooking up, I thought perhaps—perhaps people might do somedigging around and find out about me. I’m not ashamed of who I am in any way?—”

“Nor should you be,” Jeff said, fiercely.

She smiled at her husband, leaning into him. “But I had concerns about my continued employment within the organization. Concerns that they wouldn’t be as supportive of me as they would, well, a cis gay man.”

Gavin startled. “Well, I can’t imagine?—”

“Perhaps you can’t, but I can.” She held his gaze. “Because it happens. It happened to me in a previous job, and it’s happened to friends of mine.”

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