Page 23 of Loving Violet
“I’m leaning toward a blend of rustic and modern. I love the warmth and charm of rustic elements but also appreciate the clean lines and functionality of modern design,” Violet says while she grins at me.
“We can make that happen,” I say, feeling more confident than ever. “I’ll draft some preliminary designs, and we can go over them together to make sure everything is just the way you want it. Would you mind if we met over lunch?” I ask her. If she says yes, this can be the perfect excuse to get to know her. Since seeing her at the coffee shop is not working for me because she doesn’t have the time to talk to me, I can make these lunch dates the perfect excuse to get her to know me and probably start something more.
Violet looks thoughtful for a moment and then smiles. “Lunch sounds great. It’ll be nice to have a relaxed setting to discuss the plans.”
“Perfect,” I say, trying to keep my excitement in check. “How about Friday at noon? There’s a nice little bistro downtown that has great food and a quiet atmosphere.”
“That sounds wonderful,” she replies. “I’ll see you on Friday.”
“Great. I’ll have the preliminary designs ready by then, and we can tweak them to your liking.”
As Violet stands up to leave, anticipation builds within me. “Thanks again, Austin. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.”
“Me too, Violet,” I say, smiling. “This is going to be a lot of fun.”
Once she’s gone, I sit back in my chair, already planning out the designs in my head. This project is the perfect opportunity to not only create something beautiful but also to spend time with my future girl. She doesn’t know it yet, but she will be mine. Of that, I am completely certain. Grabbing my phone I open the text thread between my friends
Me: Noah, thanks for sending me a client. I'm always very grateful.
Noah: You're welcome.
Esteban: Who's he talking about?
Noah: The pretty girl at the coffee shop that you told me about.
Esteban: The one who lives with Josy?
Why am I not surprised these jackasses have seen my girl?
Noah: The one and only.
Me: Her name is Violet.
Esteban: What? No comment about how pretty she is?
Noah: That's a first, man.
Me: She is gorgeous.
Noah: Only gorgeous? I'm planning on asking her out. Did you know she has a kid?
What? Hell no. He's not asking my girl out. She’s mine, and I don't share.
Me: Yes, I know she has a kid.
Esteban: Awe, Austin is upset about you asking Violet out.
Noah: Yup, looks like it.
Esteban: So, the rumors are true. You’re the creeper who goes to the coffee shop every morning to stare at her.
Noah: I heard about that. Mrs. Mirtha said you never miss a day and the moment you see pretty Violet, you lose that scowl and your face turns all mushy and happy
Me: Enough! Yes, I go every morning to see her. And yes, she's gorgeous, and yes, she has a kid. But she’s not just some girl to ask out on a whim…
Me: She's special.
Noah: What do you mean by special? Are you saying what I think you are saying?
