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“As you wish. See you then.” He saluted like he’d done at the bakeshop. As she pulled away, Hayden stood and watched, lifting his hand in a stationary wave. The same as Sean did all those years ago when she was a student at Goldenrod High.

Violet glanced in the rearview mirror. “Sean Parker, you are no Hayden Brooks.”

Chapter Twelve

HAYDEN HAD ALREADY CONFISCATED TWO BOTTLES of whiskey, found a case of beer stashed behind the bleachers, and seized two flasks containing vodka and who knows what, and the dance was only half over. Spiking the punch was apparently still a tradition for teenagers, no matter how strict the school policy.

“Narc” was only one of the less-than-flattering names he’d been taunted with tonight. He had an arrangement with Principal Collins. The kids found in possession of alcohol wouldn’t get in serious trouble if they attended his half-day seminar on the dangers of alcohol and driving under the influence. Nothing like forcing the underage offenders to look at photos of his mangled car and leg and hearing about his arduous journey back to health. If they refused to attend, they’d face a mandatory chat with local authorities.

Inhishigh school, the dance chaperones turned the other way. Man, he wished they hadn’t been so lenient. Not that it would have changed what happened, and he claimed full responsibility. He’d been mad, but he’d never blamed his accident on anyone or anything else but himself. Neither had he touched a drop of alcohol since that night or sought solace with any other illegal substance, oranyone, during those dark hours. He’d concentrated on his physical therapy, healing his entire being, bodyandsoul.

Somewhere along the way, he’d reconnected with God and discovered his purpose. The physical scars on his leg had faded, but they still served as a daily reminder of whatcouldhave been. He’d made a promise to serve God, not man. After hearing his story earlier, Violet’s compassion had touched him deeply. He seemed to finally be breaking through whatever invisible wall she’d erected between them.

“Hey, Mr. Brooks.” Liam and Eric from the soccer team joined him by the punch table. “Who’s the gorgeous woman you were talking with a while ago?”

Hayden smiled. “Her name is Violet.” Across the room, she talked with a small group of girls. She fit in well and seemed at ease with everyone. He was proud of Violet, not that he had the right.

“Cool name. Wait a second!” Liam snapped his fingers. “Is that the same Violet chick on the radio with you Thursday night?”

“One and the same.”

“Whoa. She’s even prettier than she sounds. I caught part of the show,” Eric said. “You should team up with her more often.”

“That’s the plan. It’ll become a regular Thursday night gig in a few weeks.” Hayden sipped his punch. He’d imbibed enough of the stuff to keep him up all night, but it was the best way to know if it’d been spiked.

“You gonna ask her to dance? If you don’t, I will.” Liam straightened the collar of his shirt and ran fingers through his shoulder-length blond hair. “Do you know how she feels about younger men?”

“Calm down, buddy.” Hayden restrained his grin. “As long as someone can cover my station, I’ll ask Violet to dance in a bit.”

“We’ll watch the table for you,” Eric offered.

“Nice try, guys, but you know the rules.” These two boys weren’t on hisMost Likely to Taint the Punchlist, but it never hurt to remind them he was an authority figure. “Get some punch for yourselves and your girlfriends, then go and chat them up. They’re a lot prettier than me.”

Liam looked in Violet’s direction. “Yeah, but they’re not as fine as Violet.”

“Patience, Grasshopper.” Hayden lifted his cup in a toast. “In about ten years, they will be.”

VIOLET STOLE ANOTHER GLANCE AT HAYDEN. Goodness, the man was handsome in his navy suit, white and blue pinstripe shirt, red and blue striped silk tie, and leather shoes. Tonight he resembled a successful businessman instead of a “radio guy” in jeans and a T-shirt. His hair and beard were freshly groomed, and she caught the scent of his fabulous cologne.

When she’d walked into the gym earlier, Violet couldn’t miss Hayden’s appreciation when his eyes locked on hers. He’d moved a hand over his heart, making her blush. She’d decided on a sleeveless sapphire blue dress, not that her choice had anything to do with blue being Hayden’s favorite color. She loved how the dress swirled around her knees with her every movement.

Violet could tell herself this wasn’t a date, but this wassoa date. An unconventional date, yes, but a date all the same.

She’d brushed Palest Pink nail polish on her toes before slipping on silver high-heeled sandals. Around her neck, she wore the sapphire necklace she’d been given by her Grandma Ella for her twenty-fifth birthday, a perfect match for the dress. Instead of the ponytail she’d sported earlier, Violet left her hair down and added a few waves. After applying two coats of mascara, light eyeliner, and a berry lip stain, she’d headed out the door.

“Miss Violet?”

“Yes?” She turned to face a pretty, petite blonde.

“Hi. I’m Lacey. I just wanted to tell you how much Iloveyour radio show.” Twirling a long strand of hair around one finger, Lacy swayed back and forth. “You’re so smart and always know the right thing to say.”

“Thank you, Lacey. Is your last name Bonham, by any chance?”

The girl stopped playing with her hair. “That’s right.”

“I used to babysit you once upon a time.”

“Getout! Seriously? Was I good, or was I a brat?”

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