AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Violet didn’t know much about Charlie’s family, but it seemed there were lots of good memories in this home. This place had been kept through generations. One of the doorways had etched lines for a woman named ‘Mara’s’ height. Another had Charlie’s.
Violet didn’t have things like that growing up. Her own mom had traded in houses like they were candy. At first it was because they were broke, but then it was because her mother wanted the nicest of things.
Violet had long since decided she liked places with history.
“Do you want any fruit or anything?” Charlie asked. “I’ve got blueberries, strawberries and some banana.”
“All of it. Or whatever you don’t like.”
Charlie rolled his eyes and put all three on her plate. “I sit at the dining room table to eat.” He handed her a warm bowl. “Would you like to join me?”
“Sure. We can’t argue if my mouth is full of food.”
“I’ll meet you in there. I’m going to grab some coffee.”
Violet nodded but couldn’t resist the wistful gaze at the coffee pot. Oh well, she could get some at work.
“Do you drink coffee now?” He asked as he got to his coffee pot.
“Uh, yeah. I have plenty at work though.”
“How do you take your coffee?” He asked.
“N-no, I’m fine.”
Charlie gave her a deadpan look.
“Splash of milk and sugar,” she muttered.
“Thank you, I’ll make you a cup.”
Violet walked into the dining room, face aflame. How did he get past her barriers so easy? How did he get her to admit what she wanted without pulling it out of her?
Maybe their new problem wasn’t that they’d fight. Maybe her problem was that he knew her too fucking well.
Charlie sat the cup down in front of her, and Violet stared at it. He’d even gotten the ratio of milk and sugar right, damn him.
“You didn’t used to drink coffee in college,” he said. “Sorry I didn’t offer earlier.”
“It’s habit I developed once I started my job,” she admitted. “I did have about one hundred dollars in Starbucks gift cards, but that only lasted me about a week.”
“Yeah, they are not cheap.”
“They did have a decent yogurt parfait though.” Violet took a bite and almost groaned. Damn it. He made good oatmeal too.
“Is it okay?” He asked. “And you have to tell me the truth. No lying.”
“It’s actually really good. I’m happy to not be at a McDonald’s right now. This is so much better.”
“Do you even work today? Aren’t schools on break?”
“They are. My plan was to go over my lesson plans for the rest of the year, and I probably have to call a few vendors for the festival in a week or so. I’m going to be busy.”
“Sounds like your break isn’t much of a break.”
“They rarely are.”
“You know, you could always go back to grad school," Charlie offered. “There’s probably scholarships for returning students.”
