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She laughs. "Onions first. Do you know how to peel an onion?"
I nod.
"Okay. Let's wash and peel this one." She picks up a red onion. Her fingers brush mine as she hands it to me. "We should only need half of it."
I wash and peel the onion, then I cut it into tiny pieces.
Violet watches with a nervous expression. "Be careful. I don't want to be responsible for knocking your fingers out of commission."
"Because you need them or because I won't be able to play?"
"No comment."
I'm extra careful with the knife as I cut the avocados, lime, and cilantro. Still, Violet sighs with relief when I put the thing away in the dishwasher. She takes a more hands-on approach, stirring the ingredients with a spoon and taking frequent tastes.
Bit by bit, the tension in her shoulders eases. Things are light and easy again. That's how they should be. I get that life is tough, there's all this shit that hurts. I don't want her running from that. But I don't want her wallowing in it easier.
I want Violet light and free.
I want her happy.
"Voila." She scoops guacamole into the spoon and offers me a taste. "Better than anything from the grocery store."
I hold her gaze as I slide my lips around the spoon. The guacamole is great but it's nothing compared to being with her like this.
"Much better." I take the spoon and offer her a scoop.
She moans as she licks the silverware clean.
"Am I missing something good?" Joel steps into the kitchen. He shoots me an incredulous look then his eyes fix on Violet.
Violet holds up the bowl of dip. "You want some?"
"No, that's okay."
She takes a step backwards. All the tension spreads back to her shoulders. "I'll get out of your way."
"It's fine. Just wanted to check with the driver." Joel calls out to our driver. "What time are we stopping in Montana?"
"Another hour or two," the driver calls back.
Joel pulls out his phone to check the time. "Damn, getting in late. I have plans."
"Oh yeah?" Violet asks.
"Yes, Valentine. Not all of us travel with our sexual partners," he says.
"Not all of us have a strict one-and-done rule," Mal calls from his bunk.
Joel flips him off.
"Oh, going to the clubs, picking up some babes?" Violet asks.
"Wouldn't use those words," Joel says. "And I don't think there are any clubs where we're stopping."
"Can I come?" she asks.
"Only if I can watch you with the babe you're picking up," he says.
