Page 53

VIOLET

After checking twiceto make sure it’s clear, Drew pulls onto the street.

Of course he does. Drew is cautious. Careful.

He glances over at me, a smile playing on his lips. “I’m glad I ran into you.”

His cheeks pinken before he turns his head back to the road, like the words slipped out without his permission.

I turn my head to the window, trying to hide my smile.

He didn’t run into me.

I placed myself in his world.

But he doesn’t need to know I orchestrated the whole thing.

“Me, too,” I say, folding my hands in my lap.

“Thanks again for saving me the other night.” He gives me an embarrassed smile. “From Smoke.”

My lips curve. “No problem.”

I turn my gaze out the window, watching the blur of trees and passing cars.

I wasn’t going to let him hurt you.

Not after you saved me first.

The memory slips in, quiet and familiar.

We were younger.

I’d been in college. A nineteen-year-old student focused on her future.

My nerves had me flustered, and all I could think about was the upcoming internship meeting.

I needed this internship.

Landing it meant three years of experience before graduation.

I looked at my watch.

I was running late, which isn’t like me.

Hitching my purse higher, I increased my pace, hurrying along the sidewalk.

I blew out a nervous breath. The building was still two blocks away.

I stepped off the curb of the busy intersection without looking, not seeing the car speeding toward me until the last second.

Horror filled me as I braced for the hit.

But a firm hand wrapped around my arm and pulled me back onto the sidewalk.

The car rushed past without touching me.

My heart pounded in my ears as I stood there, breathing heavy and shaking, but unharmed.