AllFreeNovel
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“Having sex in the bar doesn’t count as a date. Or in your car,” I add before Violet can say anything. “And visiting your mom in the hospital definitely doesn’t count as a date.”
“What about living together? I mean, we cooked that one meal together.”
“Not a date. We haven’t gone out and done anything together before. So… this is the best first date we’ve ever been on.”
“This can’t be a first date because we’ve already slept together, so… you don’t sleep with someone and go on a first date with them later.”
“Apparently, that’s how we do it. So…” I snatch a bite of her pretzel. “Happy first date to us both.”
Violet laughs and moves her pretzel out of my reach.
After a while, Hannah and Charlie find us, their faces glowing with excitement. "Hey, we’re going to check out the hayride. Do you guys want to join us?"
“I think that’s for kiddos twelve and under,” I say, just to irritate her.
“No!” Hannah protests. “Adults can ride it too.”
“Especially when they have claws to make people do what they want,” Violet points to the ridiculous claws on my bear costume.
“Does that mean you want to, Violet?”
She nods. "Seems like fun."
We all head towards the hayride, joining a group of festival-goers waiting for the next wagon. When the tractor and trailer come back, we climb onto the wagon, settling into the hay bales with anticipation.
As the wagon starts moving, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. The gentle rocking of the ride makes it easy for me to slip my arm over Violet’s shoulders.
"You doing okay?"
She nods but keeps her eyes transfixed on the reds and oranges of the trees around us. "Doing great.”
I squeeze her hand gently. "I’m glad."
The hayride takes us outside of the festival and through a huge field. I listen to Hannah chattering about the sales their booth has made as I study Violet out of the corner of my eye. She seems worried about something, and she has a reason to be. She’s got a lot going on. I decide to just let her brood about whatever needs her attention. When she’s ready to share something with me, she will.
When the hayride finally ends, we make our way back to the booth that Hannah and Violet are supposed to be running.
Hannah thanks her friend and settles behind it once again. I pull Violet closer to me. “How much longer do you have to stay here and keep selling cinnamon bread?” I pick up one of the packages and examine it. It looks delicious.
“I should stay with Hannah until it closes. I don’t want to leave her with all the work.”
Charlie takes Violet’s stool behind the booth, and Violet briefly glances at him before looking back at me.
“Looks like they might have it… if you want to come back with me and help me take this bear costume off.”
“Let me just… ask Hannah,” she says eagerly. “I don’t want to leave her to do all the work. That wouldn’t be fair.”
Violet and Hannah talk for a few minutes before Violet returns. She grabs my hand and pulls me closer. “Let’s go back to your house,” she whispers in my ear.
CHAPTER 38
VIOLET
Ipull into the driveway right behind Jay. It’s not late at night, but I’m hoping we can sneak past wherever my mom is into one of our bedrooms upstairs. I want to be alone with Jay. It was hard to keep my hands in check as we wandered the fall festival.
Jay waits in the driveway as I get out of my car. I take my time gathering my things because the thing I’m struggling with right now is guilt. I should have told Jay already. It’s been a few days since I found out I’m pregnant, but I keep just pushing it to the side. It’s easier to have fun and enjoy myself when I don’t think about it.
Jay takes my hand in his and looks at me seriously. “Violet, I want to talk to you about something.”
