Page 68 of Semantics

“You drive. I took a car here.”

Violet took Stella by the hand and pulled her out of the club after waving at Sarai and Enya, who were still at the table.

CHAPTER 20

She helped Violet get into the house and quickly locked the door behind them.

“I can’t believe they want to meet. When we were just starting out, I had to beg for meetings. I did not want to ask anyone in my family for help because none of them supported my decision to go elsewhere and create my own company, my own path. I know it’s just an email and maybe a meeting, but it’s a big deal to me and to the rest of them, too.”

“You’re talking really fast,” Stella said. “And you haven’t stopped talking since we left the club. Are you okay? Did you take something with those martinis?” she asked as she guided Violet down the hall toward her bedroom while holding on to her hips.

“What? No, I don’t take drugs. I’m just excited. Well, excited and drunk. I had three martinis, and I don’t normally drink that much. I think it’s hitting me now.”

“You’re drunk?”

“A little. But I’ll be fine.”

They arrived at Stella’s room, and she watched Violet pull off her shirt and kick off her shoes.

“Violet, we shouldn’t do this.”

“Why not?”

“You’re drunk.”

“So?” Violet countered. “It’s not like it’s our first time. We’ve done this before.”

Violet removed her bra and began working the button and zipper of her tight jeans.

“Hey, hold on a second.”

Stella walked over to her and lightly shoved Violet down on the bed.

“Oh, I like that,” Violet said with a giggle.

“I’m just taking off your pants.”

“I like that, too.”

“Violet, chill.”

But Violet continued to wriggle as Stella pulled down on the jeans, bringing Violet’s underwear with them accidentally.

“I thought you liked me feisty.”

“I do, but not when I’m trying to take your pants off.”

She laughed a little and yanked, nearly falling back on her ass but managing to stand up.

“Did you clean that floor yet?”

“No,” she said.

“Good. I won’t feel bad about getting it dirty again.”

Violet stood up then, so Stella dropped Violet’s clothes to the floor and pressed her hands to Violet’s sides, extending her arms and keeping her at a distance.

“I would love nothing more than to make you come right now, and if you wanted to return the favor, that would be great too, but you’re drunk, Violet. I don’t think we should do this. Maybe later, when you sober up.”