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“If you can’t leave this alone for you, then do it for me. Because if anyone tries to hurt you…” The intensity in his eyes finished the sentence for him.
A thumb stroked over her cheekbone, and she was ready to sag into him when the shop door opened behind them.
“Brought you guys coffee. Oops, sorry. Want me to just set it down and meet you in the van?”
Violet turned to see Red holding two paper cups and looking apologetic.
“No, you’re good, just saying bye.”
Her friend busied herself with setting the cups on top of a cabinet, and Violet turned back to Mikel.
“We’ll figure it out,” she promised, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck.
His strong arms squeezed her tight, and he lifted her off her feet for a long moment. His stubble scuffed her cheek when he kissed her, and the conversation was laid to rest, for now. He set her down, and Violet yanked his shirt when he backed away for one more quick kiss.
“Aww.” Red was beaming at them when she turned around.
Violet flipped her the bird, snagged her coffee, and started for the van.
“Hey.” Red lingered, taking Mikel his cup. “Try this and tell me it’s good. Black, right?”
Obligingly, he took a large swig. “Yes, ma’am, perfect, thank you.”
Red breathed an audible sigh of relief.
“Later, boss man.” She passed Violet who dragged her feet and made a beeline for the van.
“Thought you were leaving.” Mikel smirked at her over the lid of his coffee. He was so handsome.
“I am, just…” She fumbled for the words, knowing by that evening, things would be different. “You know I care about you, right?” Suspicion darkened his face, and she knew it was time to go. “Looking forward to the full moon is all,” she added, hoping it would be enough to explain her lingering.
He quirked an eyebrow.Definitelytime to go.
“Okay, miss you already. See you tonight.” She darted out to the van, sloshing some of her coffee over the rim on the way, before she hopped up and closed the door.
They pulled out of the driveway and stopped at the turn at the end of the street. Red watched her take a long drink from the cup.
“This is good, thanks,” Violet told her, trying to ignore the pit in her stomach at leaving him, knowing what today would bring.
“You sure about this?” Red asked as the van idled.
Violet took a breath and hardened her resolve. “Yeah.”
“Show me,” Red demanded.
She thought of Mikel and felt her eyes change.
“Hold it until we get to town, and I’ll drop you off,” Red bargained, shoulders tight and uncomfortable.
Violet was just glad she seemed willing to stick to the plan, even if she wasn’t as confident as she’d been yesterday.
“No problem.” She offered Red a smile and took another sip of her coffee.
“WHAT’S GOT YOUso rattled?” she asked her friend as they pulled up on Main Street. “You seemed okay with this before.”
Red put the truck in park and picked at her jeans. “I just don’t want you to get hurt,” she finally said. “Or Mikel to hate me if this goes wrong. Maybe he’s right, and we are just making something here when there doesn’t have to be.”
“If we’re wrong, and Kane’s only interest in me is because I’m Mikel’s mate and he’s worried one or both of us is going to turn and go psycho, then what’s the issue? I’m not doing anything wrong.” Violet searched her face, looking for clues as to what had happened to the confidence Red had in this plan less than twenty-four hours ago.
