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“Then Hayden must be doing something right.”
She huffed a little. “Well, sure. He can wink, smile, and charm his way into anyone’s good graces.”
“Except yours.”
Violet sampled the tiramisu. “Oh, my. This is absolutelysinful. You’d better eat some of this, or I’m going to eat it all.”
“Fine.” Trent portioned off a man-sized bite. “You told me KGOLD’s numbers have doubled since he started. You have to be happy about that, and I know your boss must be thrilled. Has the dynamic between you and Hayden changed recently?”
“I don’t know. Maybe,” she hedged.Why didthatmatter?“Thanks for indulging me, but I’ve filled my threshold for discussing Hayden now. Besides, you have more than enough on your mind with the wedding coming in three short months.”
“Maddy and her mom are doing most of the planning. Want my take on the Hayden thing?”
“Always.” Violet braced herself for a dose of Trent’s tough love.
“Is it possible you have more in common with this guy than you realize, andthatbothers you? Or that youlikehim a lot more than you want to?”
“I don’t think so.” She set down her fork and motioned for him to finish the dessert.
“These things are usually a two-way street,” Trent said. “If you’ll pardon the observation of an interested party, it seems you like him a lot more than you want to admit, even to yourself.”
Violet started to speak, then stopped. She was surprised to find a carryout box on the table beside her, a convenient distraction. Peeking inside, she spied her leftovers.
“Robb filled the box for you in the kitchen. Ready to go?”
With a nod, she rose to her feet. She owed her brother an answer, but none seemed forthcoming.
“Do you mind some brotherly advice?” Trent asked as they stopped beside her ancient white Camry.
“I’m feeling generous. Go for it.” Not that she could stop him. Her twin was as stubborn as she was. They’d both inherited that gene, along with fierce independence.
Taking her keys, Trent clicked the key fob and opened her door. “Try to find it in your heart to give Hayden a chance,” he said after she’d settled behind the wheel and lowered her window.
“Are you speaking in terms of work or personally?”
“Both.” He grinned. “Does your boss have a rule against employees dating?”
“I doubt if the issue’s ever come up before. What makes you think a relationship with Hayden couldpossiblyever work?”
“Intuition.” Violet glimpsed the slightly crooked grin she’d loved for twenty-seven years. “Call it the twin thing. Vi, you know as well as I do there are no guarantees, but how longhasit been since you’ve been on a date?”
“A hundred years,” she said with a straight face. “Not since Ryan left,” she admitted when he arched his brows. “I’m fine on my own. Really.”
Her brother lifted her chin with one finger. “I know you as well as anyone. When you tack on ‘really,’ it’s a clear sign everything’snotfine. Yes, you’re doing well on your own, but don’t close the door on the possibilities God brings into your life. He’s brought them to you for a reason.”
When she started to protest, Trent continued. “You’ve got so much to give the right man. Vi. Is Hayden the one? Only God knows at this point. Love isn’t always instantaneous or even mutual at first. Sometimes it takes time to grow. But, like everything else, it’s inHistiming, not ours.”
“I know,” Violet said quietly. “This from the man whose love story is pretty much caused by spontaneous combustion.”
Trent laughed heartily. “Payback for the womb comment?”
“Not at all. Thanks for listening to me tonight. You’re the best.”
“Anytime. What are big brothers for?”
“Twominutes, Trent.”
“I want you to experience for yourself what I have with Maddy. It’s the greatest feeling in the world.”
