Page 58 of Wild Tides
Violet rolled her eyes. “Gran, consider leaving him alone your birthday gift to me.”
Her grandmother’s grin broadened. “There’s my girl. You kids have fun. Definitely do something I wouldn’t do.”
“What’s left?” Vi muttered, giving me an apologetic smile. “I’d apologize for her, but again, you knew what you were getting into, dating me.”
“I’ve got a solution.” I gave her a wicked grin. Slowly, I adjusted her palms, placing them strategically on each cheek. “You just hold on tight, and that scary old lady can’t touch me anymore.”
Vi rolled her eyes. This time at me. “Murphy, if that’s a ruse to keep my hands on your ass all night, I’m here for it.” She hid a smile. “I’ll say this for Gran: she has good taste.”
“So does my birthday girl.”
“Hey, Grope-aholics Anonymous. Either of you want a drink? We’re heading to the bar,” Lucy called. She and the rest of ourfriends stood nearby, forming a loose circle, their faces lit with playful smirks and raised brows.
“I’m not feeling very anonymous right now,” Vi muttered. She shook her head ruefully, adding a smile just for me. “But I could stand like this all night.” Her fingers clenched in a quick squeeze before she released me, and we drifted over to our friends.
I positioned myself with my back against the wall. Drew smirked at me from across the circle, no doubt reading my mind. These buns were no one’s but Violet’s.
“You all look stunning,” Violet told her friends.
“Hey. What about me?” Zach asked, feigning an offended pout.
Violet shook her head at him. “Yes. All the men clean up nicely too. I had no idea you could tell which end of the beard trimmer was which. Very dapper, brother.”
“It’s a nice turnout.” Rae waved her hand. “I’d say there are at least seventy-five people here.”
“That’s a crowd for Friday Harbor,” Anya said.
“That’s interesting.” Violet tipped her head toward the far corner. “Dr. Underwood is here.”
“With a date?” Anya sounded aghast. “Isn’t her husband still in jail?”
“Nope.” Lucy tilted her head to the slightly jowly man with the smug smile standing next to his wife. “Looks like Chaz is out on bail.”
“Interesting,” Clay muttered with a frown.
“Did you ever call Agent Harris?” I asked.
Clay nodded. “But it’s not something I can talk about here.”
He looked troubled. I examined Dr. Underwood and her husband, careful to mask my staring by nuzzling Vi’s soft hair, almost losing my train of thought thanks to the soft scent of lavender. Dr. Underwood looked poised as ever, expression smooth. As if she weren’t accompanying her crooked husband ata town event. Where he’d swindled at least some of the crowd. It was a bold move. Or a desperate one.
They looked at ease, like it was just a casual date, not their town debut post-arrest. My arms tightened around Vi, grateful for the solid weight of her against me. Whatever games the Underwoods were playing, they could keep them. All I wanted was this woman, safe and close.
Drew made goo-goo eyes at Anya, and they drifted onto the dance floor.
“May I have this dance?” I asked Violet, extending a hand.
She placed her palm in mine, following me out onto the floor. The DJ started a slow song with a heavy beat. Taylor Swift’s “Lover” filled the air. Living in a virtual writing cave hadn’t saved me from learning some of the pop star’s songs, but it was fitting. Vi was mine.
Slowly, I twirled her, loving the way her cheeks flushed under the weight of the adoration in my gaze. Her dress flirted with her ankles, her shoulders gleaming under the tiny lights. I pulled her close, her curves flush with my body. She was truly lovely tonight—the embodiment of a dream I didn’t know I’d been missing.
I’d once believed I’d float along in solitude. Maybe forever. Convinced I didn’t need or want a partner. But loving Violet had rewritten that truth. She’d become my new dream, my reward for letting go of the idea that self-sufficiency was the only way to protect myself.
As soon as she excused herself to the restroom, I slipped away, discreetly handing the DJ some cash along with my request.
Chapter 28 – Violet
Lee waited for me near the door to the restrooms. He extended a bottle of water, which I accepted gratefully. We leaned against the wall, watching our friends dance.
