Page 93 of Against All Odds

“Violet would. Hi, Lachlan,” she answers and turns to her boss. “Hey, Miles.”

“Vi.”

She looks to me. “I’m so sorry. Ana is ... unrelenting.”

I grin. “It’s fine, we were just having a few beers and talking about this weekend’s tournament.”

I’d been doing my best not to think about her, which isn’t working out well. I’ve already debated going to her house sixteen times to convince her that we can work this out. She has no idea how much I care for her, or maybe she does know but doesn’t want me to feel that way.

I don’t know what the fuck I’m thinking anymore. I go in circles, confusing myself even more.

“Oh? Tournament for what?” Ana asks.

“Ultimate Frisbee,” Lachlan says.

Her eyes widen. “What is that?”

“It’s a sport,” Miles explains. “We play in a league.”

“Ohhh,” Ana says, nodding. “I see, it’s an old-guy thing. Sorry, I didn’t know that was big here in Umber Falls.”

Violet sighs heavily and looks up at the sky. “Ember Falls, Ana! I swear, I want to hit the reset button on my life.”

“Control, alt, delete, babe,” Ana replies to her.

“I regret texting you,” Violet tells her and then turns to me. “I sent a text to her before we went to the farm that I needed to talk to her, and she couldn’t get ahold of me during the day.”

“Yeah, the service is terrible at the farm.”

It’s really annoying for my staff if they ever need to reach me, but they just call their barn line if it’s urgent and they know I’m there.

Violet smiles softly. “My very impulsive friend here got on a plane and flew here.”

Wow, that’s a bit spontaneous and also impressive. I don’t know anyone who would just get on a plane and fly across the country because I didn’t answer my phone.

Well, maybe Hazel would.

I turn to look at Ana, who just shrugs. “I have a private jet.”

“I see.” I chuckle. “That makes it convenient.”

“Doesn’t it? So you’re Everett?” Ana asks, walking over and sitting in the open chair beside me. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“You as well.”

“Anyone else feel like we’re missing something?” Lachlan asks not so subtly.

Ana turns to look at him. “Oh, I just really wanted to meet the guy that Violet said was her first love. She had so many good things to say about him, and now I can see why.” Her smile is wide as she looks me up and down.

Violet covers her face with her hands and then drops them. “Anything she says, please just forget.”

“That’s not going to happen,” I tell her and then turn to Ana. “So what else did Violet say?”

Ana glances over at Violet and smiles. “Just that you’re a good friend to her, and I really appreciate that. Thank you for helping her out.”

I nod once. “Of course.”

Miles snorts. “Yeah, he’s really a very kind soul. I mean, Violet needed her pipes filled, and he was all too willing.”

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