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Brit glanced around them before replying, “You realize this conversation is beyond weird, right?”
“The least you can give me is honesty.”
“I love him,” she said without a doubt. Why deny at this point? Shivers of awareness trickled down her spine. “I didn’t mean to. I was looking for a boyfriend, but not him. Then one day, something unlocked inside of me, and it just happened.”
Violet’s eyes darkened. She lifted her drink to her lips and took a sip.
“I’m the first one to admit we shouldn’t be together,” Brit said. “I don’t want to mess with your marriage now you’re back, and I promise you don’t have to worry about me going around your back,” she said truthfully. She’d have to skip events where Damian would attend at first, like birthday parties and stuff, but she would do whatever needed to give Violet a new shot at her marriage. Even if that twisted, slowly, a knife in her chest.
A tear rolled down her cheek and before she could wipe it, others followed. She pressed the napkin to her face, willing herself to calm down. A rush of blood traveled through her, and it felt like her body threw a fit worse than the ones Libby did when she’d been a toddler.
Violet reached over the table and gave her hand a squeeze, which only wrecked her even more. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “He loves you too.”
Brit swallowed the lump in her throat. She looked at her friend, tilting her head as if to make sure she’d heard her correctly. She caught an emotion layered in Violet’s eyes, tucked in the depths of her irises, but couldn’t quite read it. Regret? Honesty? “Why are you telling me this?” Did she want to deepen the knife in her chest or remove it swiftly? Either option would devastate Brit.
“Because I’d hate to be in the way of your happiness.”
Wasn’t that what I said too?“I appreciate you for saying that, but—”
Violet held her hand up. “Listen, I’m not an idiot. I know I messed with everyone’s lives by leaving like the way I did. I’m trying to make amends. I need to see Damian happy, and I need to see you happy.”
“Do you still love him?”
Violet sighed. “No. Our marriage was over well before I left. He’s a good guy, but we didn’t work together as a couple and it took me long enough to see it.”
“But the kids…”
“I already explained to Amanda that we’ll co-parent and I’m not leaving her again even if I’m no longer married to her father.”
Brit clasped the edge of the table, imagining how sweet Amanda would receive the news. During that dinner with them, Brit could tell Amanda enjoyed seeing her parents together again. “How did she take it?”
“She asked some questions, and I think she’s insecure about me not leaving her again… which has nothing to do with you and Damian. She loves you. I need time to show her I’m not going anywhere,” Violet said, an edge in her voice. The pulse at the base of her throat visibly jumped, and Brit’s chest squeezed for her friend. Violet would have a long road to earn back her daughter’s trust.
“Hey,” Brit said, prompting her to look at her. “You’re not. I know it.”
Violet smiled a little. “Good. So give Damian a call and get it sorted out.”
Brit glanced down at her phone. He’d been so mad at her, perhaps he wouldn’t even pick it up. She wouldn’t blame him—after they connected, she’d fought for every ounce of him. Then, let him go, after he had offered her all he had to give. “Hmmm… I don’t know if a call will do. He went to my work and laid out his feelings for me, and I turned him down flat.”
Violet leaned back on the booth. “He did? Wow, I’m impressed. He’s not that kind of guy.”
He is, for me.“Yeah. It broke my heart to break his.” An image of him when he’d come to see her unraveled in her mind, and she sucked in a breath. When he’d left her, resentment filled his expression.
Violet squared her shoulders, challenge flickering in her eyes. “So how are you going to fix it?”
* * *
Damian shutthe door of his car, and walked through his garage. Another long day, and he couldn’t wait to see Amanda and Trevor. Seeing them would be the highlight of another boring day.
If anyone told him he’d be this depressed after nailing the investment, he’d have laughed at their faces. But he couldn’t change his reality. He’d have to move on without Brit. Soon, he’d contact Bill and explain she would no longer be involved in their project, as Bill had previously demanded.
Most likely, he’d asked her then to be a part of it because he’d wanted her to keep an eye on Damian, when he was worried about Candi’s extramarital activities. Now, as Bill and Candi seemed to have come to an agreement and apparent happiness, he would no longer care.
But I care.Damn, he wouldn’t see her anymore—not at work, not anywhere.
Sighing, he opened the door leading to the mud room. He removed his shoes, tossing them to the side, then placed his messenger bag on the chair. He caught a scent. Wildflowers and vanilla. He marched through the kitchen, to find a path of small lit candles taking him to the living area.
Brit.
