Page 25 of Sweet Love at Bayside
An untrusting expression washed over Violet’s face. “You don’t have to say that to make me feel better. I’m sure when you’re at home I’m the last person you think about.”
It didn’t surprise Desiree that Violet didn’t believe her. They had nothing to base trust on. A couple of stressful weeks over the summers when they were younger hardly built a solid foundation. But they were on the cusp of a new turn in their relationship, and it was shrouded in possibilities. Her thoughts unexpectedly turned to her date with Rick. Apparently, this was her summer for stretching her boundaries in all directions. She inhaled a jagged breath, wondering how she’d survive so many emotions and changes at once.
“I do think about you. Maybe not in amissing youkind of way anymore, because we don’t have that type of relationship, but I’ve always wished we did. Or could,” Desiree reiterated. “Come on. Please, Vi? Let’s both agree to give this a chance. How hard can it be to sell paintings and sexy stuff?”
Violet laughed. “Fine.Just turn those sad puppy eyes away from me.” She knocked Desiree with her shoulder. “She really messed us up, didn’t she?”
“I don’t know. You’re a world traveler and I’m a preschool teacher. We’re not doing so bad.” As she said it, she realized it was true, and she needed to stop thinking about how her mother had ruined her childhood. She hadn’t ruined it as much as she’d broken her heart. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize you were unhappy when we were younger. I wouldn’t have stopped coming here to spend time with you.”
“Des?” Violet asked as they walked toward the house.
“Hm?”
She held the screen door open for Desiree to walk through. “Stop being so good. It’s really annoying.”
“WHY ARE DATES so nerve-racking?” Desiree held up two dresses and turned toward her laptop, showing Emery her choices. It was nearly seven o’clock, and Rick would be there soon to pick her up.
“Don’t you have anything sexier to wear? And you’re nervous because you made out like horndogs last night and you know you’re on the brink of jumping his bones.” Emery made kissing noises.
“I am not going to jump his bones on the second date.” Desiree’s insides heated at the idea of jumping Rick’s bones.
“If I were you, I’d shed my clothes so flipping fast,” Emery pushed. “You really need to get new curtains. Those flowery things behind you are total mood killers.”
Desiree looked at the curtains, thinking about Rick in her bed. “Can you please stop talking about making out andmoods? You’re making me even more nervous.” She tried to focus on choosing an outfit. She hadn’t thought she’d be dating, and almost everything she’d brought was either too casual or too proper. “I don’t know where he’s taking me, so I was trying to err on the conservative side.”
Violet popped her head into Desiree’s room. “Hey. I picked up the flyers. Did you get the signs done? And who weeded the patio? Does Lizza have a secret gardener? And if she does, is he hot? Tatted-up with a big co—”
“Violet!” Desiree pointed to the laptop.
“Sorry. Hey, Emery.” Violet came into the room wearing the same outfit as earlier, with a black hoodie over her bikini top.
After their talk this morning, she and Violet had worked together creating flyers advertisingDevi’s Discoveries~ Art and Personal Explorations, and sent them to a local printer. Desiree hadn’t been able to bring herself to go back into her mother’s studio, so while Violet was out putting up flyers, Desiree weeded the brick courtyard by the cottages. It made the place look a thousand times more welcoming.
“Hey, Violet.” Emery waved. “Since I’m not there to drag her butt out to the store, can you take Desiree out to get curtains? And please tell me you have something she can wear tonight on her date with Rick?” The two had never met other than a few brief hellos on FaceTime, but it was amazing how easily a friendship could develop that way.
At least for them.
On some level, it bothered her that Emery and Violet could communicate so easily. But on another, she was glad for it. She and Vi had never even thought of keeping in touch that way when they were younger. Then again, Vi hadn’t owned a computer until her late teens, when the space between them had widened like a canyon.
“Tomorrow night, Des,” Violet said. “You and I are going to Hyannis to get bedding and towels. I cannot sleep on pink sheets one more night.” Hands on hips, she ran an assessing eye over Desiree. “Didn’t you say he took you out with a stain on your shirt last night? Why bother primping?”
“Because he’s seen me drenched and stained. Don’t you think he deserves to see me cleaned up?”
“I think he’s already hooked,” Violet said. “But let me see what you have.”
“Des, I have to run. I’ve got a class tonight,” Emery said. “Good luck, and let me know how the bone jumping goes.”
“Bone jumping?” Violet’s eyes lit up.
“Thanks, Em. I appreciate that.”
“Love you, too!” Emery ended the call, and Desiree closed her laptop.
“How about this?” Violet held up a coral minidress with a halter top, which Desiree had bought with Emery last summer when they’d gone to Ocean City for the weekend. The straps tied behind her neck.
“It’s pretty casual.” She slipped off her bra and into the dress, feeling mildly self-conscious about undressing in front of Violet.
“First, those lace panties are fricking hot. Good choice. And unless he’s taking you to the Wicked Oyster, you can wear that dress. Besides, with that tan you’re rocking, you look incredible. Throw on some hoop earrings and maybe a few bracelets, and he’ll be jumping your bones by dessert.”
