Page 63 of Kiss & Collide
Some people, like Mira, could love that way, and be loved in return. And others, like Violet, just … couldn’t. No one in Violet’s life ever stuck around to love her, not even her family. That was why she didn’t go around hoping and expecting them to anymore. That was a surefire path to misery, and once in her life was plenty.
She took a minute to examine the ring and compliment Will’s good taste in choosing it—all the things you’re supposed to do when someone tells you they’re getting married.
“There’s something else,” Mira said after a bit.
“What’s that?”
“I’d like you to be my maid of honor.”
Violet blinked. “Me?” she blurted. “Are you sure?”
Mira laughed. “Well, you’re my best friend, so yes, I’m pretty sure. Do you … not want to?”
“No, not at all.” Violet recovered herself, shaking her head and smiling. “I’d love to. That’s really … nice. Only I’ve never done it.” She waved a hand at herself. “Couldn’t imagine anyone wanting me up there in their wedding pictures.”
Mira scoffed. “You look amazing.”
Lurking behind Mira’s petite blond radiance, she imagined she’d look like the evil queen come to cast a curse on the happy couple. Then a terrible thought occurred to her. “Oh, god, you’re not going to stuff me into some hideous bridesmaid dress, are you? Pink really isn’t my color.”
“Violet, Idoknow you, you know. I wouldn’t dream of it. Wear what you want.”
“So is there a date for this big event?”
“Next July, during the midseason break.”
“You’re going to plan a wedding while you’re managing a Formula One season?”
“There’s never a time when I’mnotmanaging a Formula One season, either this one or the next one. I’ll figure it out.”
“I’ll help, if you need it.”
“You will?”
“’Course. I’m the maid of honor. Isn’t that in the rules or something? Whatever I can do.”
Mira reached across the table and squeezed her hand, gazing at her with those big Bambi eyes, overflowing with gratitude. No wonder Will was such a sucker for her. She was impossible to say no to. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Violet.”
A year ago, this kind of pronouncement, this kind of affection, would have made her twitchy with unease. To be honest, it still did a bit. But as unexpected as this friendship with Mira had been, it had become important to her. Maybe she didn’t letmen into her heart anymore, but Mira was different. She had one friend, and dammit, she was going to keep her.
“Lucky for you you’ll never have to find out. So now fill me in on all the plans.”
“Well, we think it’ll be easiest to do it near London, so it’s central for everybody—”
On the table beside her hand, Violet’s phone vibrated. She flipped it over to see who it was.
It was a text. FromChase.
Probably done here by ten. Your room?
She blinked at her phone, confused. She’d been so sure he’d end up going home with Madison tonight. She was right there, beautiful and available. But here he was, still in the middle of their date, planning to come back to hers tonight.
She was feeling something again, but it wasn’t that weird hollow feeling. It was warm, and bubbly, and absolutely fucking terrifying.
“Everything okay?” Mira asked.
She looked back up, forcing a smile. “Absolutely.”
Mira eyed the phone still clutched in her hand. “You can bring a plus-one, you know. To the wedding.”
