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CHAPTER SIX
Donovan
Something shiftedbetween Violet and me when we stood together by the porch swing. The more time we spend together, the more I feel it. Vibrating in the air around us, under my skin. It’s fucking everywhere, and I don’t know what to do about it.
The more wine Violet samples, the more generous she is with her smiles, the more she looks at me like she used to when we were teenagers.
This place has magic to it. It’s infused in the vineyard surrounding us, it’s in every grape, every inch of the damn place. It’s the same kind of magic I feel at the resort, and I know I’m making the right choice to partner with them.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am about this.” The owner, Bill, smiles at me as he puts an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about the whole thing when your girl called me this morning.”
I ignore how good it feels to have Violet referred to as ‘my girl’ and smile back. “I was skeptical about it too. Especially considering how short notice this is. I’m so glad you’re willing to work with the resort.”
“This summer party is going to be something special.” Carol pats Bill’s hand and leans toward him to exchange some hushed words.
I glance at Violet. She’s leaning against the railing of the back porch, looking out into the sea of vines. The summer breeze blows her caramel-colored hair around her shoulders and ruffles the bottom of her navy-blue patterned sundress.
She looks like a dream.
“She’s something special too.” Carol pulls my attention back to her and nods to Violet.
I immediately toss up my hands. “Oh, we’re not together. She’s just helping me with the party.”
At that, both Carol and Bill chuckle.
Bill shakes his head, his gaze moving between Violet and me. “Just a piece of advice from a man twice your age. You don’t let a woman like that slip through your fingers. They don’t come along every day.”
“We were almost something once. But it wasn’t right then, and it’s not right now.”
Especially with my mom breathing down my neck, expecting perfection. I can’t be perfect if I’m distracted.
He frowns. “Fate gave you a second chance. She won’t give you a third.”
“Come on, Bill.” Carol grabs his hand. “He doesn’t need you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Let’s give them some room.”
I don’t need any room.
What I need is for Bill to stay firmly rooted at my side, with his nose directly in my business. Maybe then I won’t be tempted to go over to Violet and run my hand down the length of her back. To take her hand in mine and never let go. To press my lips to hers and give in to a temptation I’ve been resisting for half my life.
But no, Bill is not on my side and doesn’t seem to care if what he’s doing might be detrimental to me. He catches my gaze as he leads Carol back into the main building and gives me a wink, leaving me alone with the one woman who might ruin everything.
Violet is swaying her hips, probably listening to some great song in her head, and I’m hit with a pang of envy. She’s always been her own person, never afraid to do what she wants.
I haven’t given into myself since that night with her in the basement. And even then, I left before anything really happened. I buried myself in college and immersed myself in the family business. I’ve never let myself really come up for air. It’s only at the end of a long day, when I get back to my cabin, that I allow myself to relax.
That’s why I know I shouldn’t be going over to Violet, but I find myself right next to her, anyway. She’s always had that effect on me, even as a teenager, which is why I always avoided being alone with her. It’s also why Bill and Carol should have stayed instead of leaving me out here to get myself in trouble.
“This place is beautiful.” I clear my throat but don’t take my eyes off of her. “It was a great find. You’re not terrible at this so far.”
She doesn’t turn to me or acknowledge me, which is weird. And annoying. Especially since this is the first compliment I’ve given her. Knowing her, I’d have thought she’d have an insult loaded up and ready to go on her barbed tongue.
“Are you ignoring me?” With my eyebrows raised, I study the side of her face for a reaction. Nothing. She just continues to stare out into the vineyard, lost in her own world. I want her to be lost in mine. “Violet.”
When she still doesn’t respond, I wave a hand in front of her face. She blinks a few times and turns to face me with her eyes wide and, after a second, her cheeks turn a light shade of pink.
“Shit. I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear you.” She takes out her earbuds and holds them up for me to see before shoving them in her back pocket. “I was listening to a demo from one of the bands.”
“Is it any good?”
