What does it matter if you and I were only a fling? What does that have to do with her?
Fuck, I’ve poked at something here. Violet, I—
No, you don’t get it. I am so unbelievably tired of everyone else forming these ideas or opinions about me, like I can’t handle myself. I’m thirty-three years old, I’m not a child.
I don’t think it was like that, I say again. I really think it had everything to do with me, and nothing to do with you.
Well, I don’t like that either, she adds, her tone defensive. She doesn’t even know you.
This makes me smile. I can tell Violet is angry but I have to fight the urge to laugh. I do not, however, fight the urge to reach over and squeeze her knee.
No, she doesn’t know me. But I can handle Florence, I only wanted to let you know. I’ve got a feeling she’s going to try and talk you out of this. I hasten to add, Which is fine, you can change your mind about this mad idea at any point. You know that.
I don’t want to. She says it so simply, so fiercely, it feels as though I might never get in a full breath of air again. And as far as I’m concerned, you and I are a team in this—fake dating or not.
I can’t seem to shake the feeling of losing my footing. A team. If only it were that simple.
Well, I tell her, parking the car and turning the engine off. The offer stands, Violet. All you have to do is say the word.
But I’m starting to think if she changed her mind, it wouldn’t be that easy for me.
Chapter 20
VIOLET
FLORENCE COMES OUT OF THE house to greet us, barefoot and in a green bathing suit top and matching sarong, tied at her hip. As always, she looks amazing without really trying, her hair falling in waves along her shoulders.
I notice that she passes a wary glance at Finn, who doesn’t seem to meet her eye, before she comes bounding down the steps to pull me into a hug.
You’re here! She beams at me, and I have to remind myself that Florence is the entire reason I’m in Cape Breton this summer. I let the pang of annoyance dissolve and hug my friend back.
I can’t wait to see the place. I want the whole tour.
Finn slips away to find his family and I feel something close to guilt. I told him, moments ago, that we were a team—and then let him walk away.
Feeling almost dizzy with the whiplash of my emotions, I try to focus on Florence. Years ago, after her mom died, she had sold her childhood home. But as fate would have it, her future husband bought it. After they got together, she moved back in here. I know there are a lot of feelings attached to this house, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen it in person.
I want to bring you down to the lake, then we’ll do the inside tour, she says, pulling me towards the small path towards the water. You’ll have to come back at some point for a swim here, okay?
That sounds great, I tell her, not entirely sure how my voice is coming across.
As we walk towards the water, Florence asks, So how was your day? Did you like Louisbourg? I can tell she’s trying really hard not to acknowledge Finn.
We had a great day, I say, hearing the defensiveness in my voice. I loved Louisbourg, you know I love historical stuff like that. Finn and I dressed up in some of the old-timey clothes at one point, which was great. I try not to notice the curious expression she gives me, choosing instead to continue recounting the day.
Then we went to Kennington Cove which was beautiful. The waves were huge, and we got into this sort of sandcastle war with a group of kids that were there. It was actually the most fun I’ve had in a long time. It’s the truth—and what had Finn said, that we wouldn’t even have to lie?
Florence takes a breath, and I know what’s coming. Violet, are you sure about this?
I stop walking. Sure about what?
About Finn.
What about Finn?
She seems a little hesitant before sighing and letting it all out.
I mean, Al has told me a lot about him. I get the sense he’s kind of a fuckboy and I’m not sure what his intentions are. She leans over, squeezing my arm. You’ve always been so good at jumping up to help others, and sometimes I think people use that to their advantage. I don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all.
