Violet reaches out to squeeze my shoulder. “That’s great. That sounds like exactly what you need. And after a few drinks, I’m going to ask you for all the dirty details, but right now, I need to show you the real reason I asked you to come.”
There’s a twisting in my stomach. This is where Violet asks me about security measures for her apartment or to rate the foods in her pantry based on their nutritional values. Things I’m not opposed to doing, but I hoped this interaction could deviate from my professional life.
Violet hops off her stool and jogs over to a giant TV. Woven baskets sit at the bottom of the TV stand, and she pulls one out,removing crinkly, folded mats. When unrolled, they reveal huge arrows pointing in different directions.
“Have you ever played Dance Dance Revolution?”
“I—what?”
“DDR. I tried playing by myself, but it’s no fun that way. And Manuel said I could double his salary and he still wouldn’t step on—these are his words—‘that electronic monstrosity.’” She gives me the biggest puppy-dog eyes I’ve ever seen. And Dash can lay them on thick when he wants. “Will you play with me?”
Suddenly, I start laughing. I don’t know where the sound comes from, but, hell, does the bubbling joy of it feel good. I let the sound roll through me, and then I throw back my beer and wipe away the dribble from the side of my mouth.
“You’d better not be a sore loser,” I taunt.
Her returning grin has a hint of evil I’ve never seen on her sweet face.
“Cocky much? You might be able to take me down in the gym, but this is DDR.” Violet arranges the mats in front of the entertainment center. “Get ready to get your ass kicked.”
CHAPTER 27
LUNA
“We’re just going to tell them we’re married.” I try to say the statement with utter surety as I meet Charlie’s eyes, where he sits in the passenger seat.
“Whatever you want to do,” he says. Supportive, as always. “I’ll follow your lead.”
Guess this is happening. I climb out of the car.
Dash and Paige’s home is a cute little thing. Not a house I ever imagined my brother living in, but to be honest, I never thought he’d live a domestic life. I just worried about him living, period.
Now he’s married, got a house and a dog and a full-time job he loves. Working on cars, true. But not like Uncle Mike. Dash is legit. Manager of an auto shop. Maybe a strange job for a guy who used to steal cars.
Or maybe the most natural thing in the world.
“Hi!” Paige opens the door before we knock, waving us inside. “Dash and the dogs are out back. Food is in the living room. I made plenty.”
My sister-in-law gives Charlie a one-armed hug around his waist, then leads us through the warmly decorated living space until we reach the sliding glass doors. When we step outside, I watch as my younger brother plays tug-of-war with two pit bulls simultaneously. From the way they whip their strong heads back and forth, trying to wrench the ropes away from him, I know my brother will have sore shoulders tonight.
My eyes go to the round gray dog, and I’m hit with a punch of rightness to see Pig so happy, her body and tail wiggling in joy as she plays.
“Dash! Luna and Charlie are here!” Paige calls out as we linger on the porch.
Dash lets the ropes drop, then scoops up a tennis ball and sends it flying. As the dogs sprint after the new distraction, my brother makes his escape, jogging over to us.
“Hey.” He wraps me in a hug, and I smell motor oil on his clothes. I wonder if that scent is ingrained in his skin now. “Want to say hi to Pig?”
“Definitely.” I follow him, crouching low when the chunky puppy lumbers up to me. “Hey, girl.” I scratch her just under the chin, and she snuffles my shirt. “Miss me?”
I take her doggy grin as a yes.
Charlie and I decided us taking a trip to New Orleans to pick up Pig made more sense than asking Paige to transport her. This way, we can also share the news of our nuptials.
“Time to go inside and eat,” Paige calls out.
I give Pig a final pat, toss a squeaky toy across the yard, then follow everyone inside.
There are plenty of places to sit, but I gravitate toward the love seat, where Charlie is settled, dropping onto the cushion beside him. When I turn my head, I find him staring down at me, and I offer him a tight smile. This next bit is about to getawkward. Might as well eat before we drop our bomb. I dig into the finger foods Paige arranged on the coffee table.
