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FOURTEEN
Violet
I’m an idiot. A moron. A complete and utter fool. The one time I decide to go after something that I really want and this is the result. This is why it’s just easier to sit back and let life happen. I can’t believe I thought that Dante wanted me back. I should have known better. How did I not think for a single second that he was calling me over there to let me down easy? Then when he made it very clear he didn’t want me to tell Bianca it was like a stab through the heart. I can’t believe he thought that I would say anything to her. Shit, I’m never going to tell anybody about this. I will take this mortification to the grave.
So I spend the next several days doing what any other sane person would do, I avoid Dante Moreno like the plague. I don’t even bother going into the office on Monday or Tuesday. By Wednesday I’ve accepted that there are a few things that I really do need to get done. If suppliers don’t get paid, there won’t materials for the guys to work with. So before class I drive by his place several times until I see that his truck is gone. Like a chicken.
I know I can’t avoid him forever but I sure as hell can avoid him right now. Maybe I should just quit, but I’ve never been much of a quitter. Hell, I’m still in college. Of course, that probably has more to do with avoiding my mother setting me up to marry some lawyer than it does my aversion to quitting. Maybe it’s time I start rethinking letting my mom set me up. I’m obviously doing a pretty shit job of picking men for myself. Besides, just because my mom picks him doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s going to be a horrible person. Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised. It’s not like one date means I’m agreeing to marry the guy.
I finish everything I need to get done as quickly as possible and leave Dante a note letting him know that he needs to call Dimitri back regarding a slab of marble he was inquiring about and high tail it out of there.
I actually manage to arrive to class a few minutes ahead of schedule, so I take a seat and start reviewing my notes. Just as I’m about to get to the second page, someone flops down in the seat next to me.
“You wouldn’t be avoiding me, now would you, Violet?” I look up and see Tyler sitting beside me with a wide smile on his face. He really is a good-looking guy, I’m not sure why he hasn’t given up on me yet. I haven’t been avoiding him necessarily. No, I’m saving that activity for Dante. I’ve just been skirting around the issue of a second date.
“Of course not, how’s it going?”
“Pretty good. I went out on this awesome first date with a girl but I can’t seem to nail her down for date number two. Any advice you can give me?” I can feel my cheeks start to heat from not just his compliment but from him calling me out as well.
“I’m really sorry, I’ve just been so busy. School has been nuts and now I’ve got a part-time job, so I honestly haven’t had time to do much lately.” At least it’s not a lie. I haven’t done anything but work and school for weeks. Unless you count getting drunk with Dante and coming together in his bathroom. I shake my head to dislodge the image that’s been invading my thoughts all week.
The corners of his mouth turn down into a slight frown of disappointment. “Look, I really don’t want to pursue someone who isn’t into me so say the word and I’ll let it go. I just thought we had fun and could try out a second date to see where it goes.”
Before the incident with Dante, I probably would have told him that I wasn’t interested but my fresh rejection has me rethinking things. I did have a good time with Tyler. Sure, it wasn’t the best first date but that doesn’t really mean anything. He was probably nervous. I know I was. What could it hurt going on a second date? Maybe we’ll really hit it off, and if we don’t, well, then we can both call it quits knowing we gave it a shot.
“I’d really like to go out again,” I tell him.
“You would?” He seems surprised and I feel a bit bad for not getting back to him sooner. He really is a nice guy and we have a lot in common.
“Yeah, I would,” I say with a genuine smile. Talking with Tyler is making me feel a little bit better about the whole Dante situation. He may not want me but at least someone does.
“What about this weekend? My friend’s band is playing at a bar downtown. I could get us on the list, we wouldn’t even have to wait in line.” I try not to physically flinch at that. The thought of being squished into a crowded bar with music so loud I can’t think doesn’t sound appealing in the least. But maybe I can have my date with Tyler and at the same time save face with Dante. His rejection won’t be nearly as embarrassing if he sees that I’ve moved on. He doesn’t have to know that this is basically a last chance date.
“Actually, it’s my roommate’s birthday this weekend and she’s having a party. Maybe you could come with me?”
“Sounds like fun. I can’t wait.” He leans forward and softly kisses my cheek. I resist the urge to rub the spot he just kissed, and I don’t take that as a good sign. Oh well, if this doesn’t work out there’s always dear old mom to turn to. I shudder at the thought.
Before we can make any further plans Dr. Muzio walks in. “All right ladies and gentlemen, let’s quiet down. We’ve got a lot of things to get through today and there’s no time to waste.” I turn away from Tyler to face the front of the room but not before I catch him giving me a wide smile. This is a good thing, I remind myself.
???
The secondhand desk in my bedroom at home is tiny and wobbles a little when I lean a little too far to the left. I’m sitting here, trying to work on a paper for my Thursday class but all I can hear is clanging and crashing outside my door. I know it can’t be Hollie because she’s not due back until tomorrow. There was an emergency with her mom and she had to go back to her hometown to handle it. Thank God Archer showed up to help her because I wouldn’t have known what to do besides lend my moral support.
Since I’ve written about four words in the past ten minutes, I leave my cave and go in search of Bianca who I can only assume is following in her father’s footsteps and starting her own construction company in our living room, by the sound of things. I find her in the kitchen, cleaning what looks like every paint brush she owns.
“Decide to do a little spring cleaning?” I ask. She jumps at the sound of my voice coming from behind her and grabs at her chest.
“Jesus, Vi, you scared the shit out of me. I didn’t know you were home.”
“With all that noise going on how would you be able to tell?”
“Noise?” she asks like she has no idea what I’m talking about.
“Yeah, you know, the banging . . .”
“Ohhh, right. Yeah, sorry about that. I was stretching a canvas and I couldn’t find my staple gun so I decided to use tacks. But the only way to get them in there securely enough to hold the canvas is to hammer them. You haven’t seen it have you?” She’s talking a mile a minute while continuing to work on her paint brushes.
“Seen what? The canvas?”
