Page 39 of Adrift

Yes, how could I forget the excruciating one-and-a-half-hour non-conversation at the most awkward dinner in history, followed by the unwelcomed groping attempt.

Without making any more small talk, I excuse myself and rush to the foyer for the diaper bag before finding the guest room Olivia had indicated. After changing Arman and washing my hands, I head back to the kitchen in search of something for him to munch on since he seems hungry.

When I don’t find anything he’ll like, I reluctantly hand him an eggroll under Violet’s satisfied gaze, seating him between my arms on the counter.

“Darian, I, uh . . ..” Violet looks around, noting that most of the guests are involved in their own conversations and that her sister is nowhere in sight. “I wanted to apologize for that night again. I honestly don’t know what got into me; I’ve never acted so uncivilized in my life.”

“No need. Water under the bridge.”

“Do you think,” she clears her throat as a flush rises from her neck to her face, “that maybe we could try again sometime?”

I pick up a piece of the eggroll that Arman drops on the counter, chucking it into the nearby sink. “I don’t think that would be a good–”

“Darian, listen.” She slides closer, placing her hand on my forearm. The gesture reminds me of something Rani did, but I’m repelling Violet's touch where I was leaning into Rani’s. “I know you’re lonely–I’ve heard enough about it from my sister–and I am, too. Look, I’m not looking for anything serious either, but . . ..”

Something about her trailing off has me glancing at her, even though I don’t really want her to finish what she was going to say. Clearly, she’s still not reading the signs right. Also, what the hell is Olivia’s problem? I think her and I are due for a chat soon.

“But I . . . I’m really good in bed, Darian.”

I’m glad I didn’t have a drink in my hand or in my mouth, because I swear, I would have spilled it.

My face must not be doing a good enough job conveying my shock because to my horror, she continues, sucking her bottom lip and looking up at me with hooded lids. Her long fingernail grazes the back of my hand, and I quickly remove it from the counter. “I may not be adept with words, but I’m highly skilled with my hands and tongue.”

On that note, I pick up my son to head back to the foyer. But when Violet follows me, I look pointedly back at her, trying to keep my voice low as to not embarrass her. “I’d say you’re quite adept with words, too. Thanks for the offer, but I’m not interested. I wasn’t interested last time, and I won’t be interested in the future, either.”

I hurry forward, not worried if she appears shocked or ashamed. Frankly, she’s not my problem.

The only woman who is my problem at the moment–who has taken up more space than I care to admit in my already cluttered brain–is currently on a date with a twirp I’d like to break in half like a twig.

Chapter Fourteen

Rani

Bella: Have fun on your date tonight. FaceTime when you get back?

Melody: I doubt she’s going to have time for a video call if she’s busy finding out whether the carpet matches the drapes.

Bella: LOL! What if it doesn’t? That would be awkward.

My phone vibrates incessantly inside my grasp and after Bella’s last message, I decide to stow it inside my purse so I don’t come off as rude.

I tuck my hair behind my ear and try to relax as I look out the window. I don’t know if I’m overanalyzing, but Liam seems to be quieter than I expected ever since I got in the car. I guess I can’t blame him, given the awkward greeting–or lack thereof–he received from Darian.

Seriously, what was Darian’s problem tonight? Why was he acting like such a manchild? I’m considering telling him he needs to get on mood stabilizers. All the nostril flaring and chest beating is getting exhausting.

How did my sister deal with that on a daily basis?

Whatever. I need to shove him back into a corner in my mind and focus on the first date I’ve had in more than two years. Putting aside the current awkward silence, I’ve had really good conversations with Liam. He’s funny, sweet, and genuinely shows interest in what I have to say. I never get the sense that I’m being judged or talked down to when I’m around him, and even our text conversations have been pretty light and easy.

I smile, turning toward him. “Quite a nice evening tonight.”

He bites his bottom lip, intently focused on the road ahead, but I don’t miss the way he white-knuckles the steering wheel. Taking in a breath and releasing it, he offers me a quick smile. “Yeah, nothing beats summers in Tahoe.”

We fall silent again. I’m not really sure where he’s taking me, but his phone navigation shows another fourteen minutes to our destination. Fourteen long minutes, if it goes at this pace.

“So, I’ve gotta ask.” Liam glances at me. “What was up with your brother-in-law today? Is he always that dickish?”

Yup, it’s exactly what I suspected was bothering him.

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