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We end up watching some god-awful early 2000’s comedy movie that comes on TV. It’s lame and cringy, but it has Jay and I sucked in and hate-watching for all we’re worth. Even as emotionally and physically exhausted as I am, I stay up for a couple more hours laughing with Jay.
The next evening, after dinner, my mom excuses herself early. I offer to help her get to her room because I can see her face is pale. I don’t know if she’s in pain or just tired, but she refuses my offer and uses her crutches—which she’s insisted she hasn’t needed for the last few days but I’m glad I brought anyway—to get to her room. That leaves Jay and me alone in the living room once again. We sit on the couch, and I feel the pressure to say something.
It’s easier for me to communicate through touch, so I lean sideways until my head connects with Jay’s shoulder. I snuggle up there.
“Dinner was nice. I think my mom likes talking to you.”
“It was,” he agrees, wrapping an arm around me. “Your mom’s cooking is amazing. I think I might have to hire her as the bar’s chef.”
I laugh. “She’d probably love that. She’s been looking for something to keep her busy.”
We sit in companionable silence for a while, just enjoying each other’s presence. Then, Jay turns to me, his expression serious. “Violet, I’ve been thinking that maybe we should–”
Jay’s thoughts are interrupted by my mom calling to me from the other room. I leap up and run to her bedroom which is just off the living room. “Violet, can you get me the pain medicine? I hate to bother you, but I just laid down. I don’t know if I can get up again.”
I help my mom with what she needs, and it takes me a minute before I’m back in the living room again. Jay stands up and reaches for my hand. He pulls me close and whispers in my ear. “If we want to take advantage of those benefits, we should probably go upstairs where your mother can’t hear us.”
His words send a tingle down my spine, and I stand on my toes so I can put my lips right next to Jay’s ear. “You mean so she can’t hear you screaming my name?”
I bite my lip and look Jay up and down. There’s nothing I want more right now than to take Jay’s clothes off and explore his body. So, I take his hand and lead him upstairs.
CHAPTER 31
JAY
Iwake up early, well, early for me, and start preparing breakfast. I want Violet and her mom to feel welcome, to know that they’re not imposing. After only fifteen minutes, the smell of fresh coffee and pancakes fills the kitchen.
I can hear Caroline moving around in her room, and I want to ask if she needs anything, but I also don’t want to overstep.
As I’m flipping the last pancake, Violet walks in, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. She looks surprised and then smiles, a small, genuine smile that makes my heart skip a beat.
“Good morning,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual.
“Morning. You didn’t have to do all this, you know,” her voice still sounds groggy like she’s really only been awake a minute or two.
“I wanted to,” I say, placing a stack of pancakes on the table.
Violet takes a seat, and soon after, her mom joins us, looking equally amused. Apparently, my cooking is just a big surprise to everyone. We eat together, and Caroline starts asking me more about my life.
“How long have you had The Rusty Oak?”
“It’s been almost three years now. It took a while after I bought the building to renovate it and get it up and running. But now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
I glance at Violet and find that she’s watching me, her eyes unreadable.
Caroline continues her line of questioning. “Is it hard work?”
I let out a long sigh. “It’s hard always needing to have an answer for everything. I work almost every day. I can take days off when I want, like last night. But I could have a day off planned, and then my bartenders start canceling. There’s nothing I can do but go in and cover.”
“It sounds demanding.”
“It is.”
“I’m glad that you’re a hard worker. Violet doesn’t need someone who’s lazy.”
“Mom!” Violet scolds, her eyes wide with embarrassment. I’m not sure if she’s protesting her mom’s use of the word “need” or “lazy.” Maybe both.
After breakfast, it’s starting to get warm enough to be outside.
