AllFreeNovel
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The guys look as if they’re watching a tennis match, their heads turning left, then right, then left, watching Violet and me talk. Even Chase is barely paying attention to his thumb war with Theo.
The energy in the room grows more awkward the longer the silence stretches, but I can’t think of anything to say.
Violet glances at the guys who are watching us.
“I won!” Theo screams and jumps on the couch. “I beat Uncle Chase!”
Everyone looks between Theo and Chase, who shrugs. I’m pretty sure he didn’t even do it on purpose. He was distracted.
“Theo, come here for a second.” Violet waves him over.
He goes willingly, smiling so wide from his win. When he reaches her, she bends down and whispers in his ear. He nods excitedly, and she straightens.
“Be right back,” Violet says.
The two of them leave. I wait until I can no longer hear their footsteps before I whip around in the guys’ direction and give them all a lethal stare.
“What the fuck was that?” I whisper-shout.
“Have you taught him new moves? You know I don’t believe in letting kids win.” Chase scowls right back at me.
“Not that. Jesus, could you guys make it any more awkward?” I shake my head and plop down into a chair.
Before any of them can respond, Violet and Theo return. Violet’s carrying a tray, and Theo walks proudly ahead of her with his chin high in the air.
When they come to a stop near the couch, Theo says, “Do you guys want some? Violet and I made them.”
I lean forward to look at what’s on the tray. I heard them messing around in the kitchen earlier today, but I forgot to ask what they were up to. Spread out on the tray are small, round beige cookies.
“What are they?” Lee asks.
“Yakgwa, Korean honey cookies,” Violet says.
“They’re really good,” Theo says. “Try some!”
“I never refuse a cookie,” Chase says, and Theo picks a few up off the tray and carries them over to him.
The corners of Violet’s lips turn up in an effort not to laugh. “Theo, do you think you can hold the tray? That way, you can carry it over to everyone and let them pick their own cookies?”
He smiles wide. “I’m strong enough.”
My chest warms at the obvious fact that he wants to be seen as strong either by me or by all the guys.
“Especially his thumbs,” Miles says, and Chase glares while we all laugh.
Violet gently hands the tray to Theo, and he walks around to each of the guys.
“These are amazing,” Lee says around a mouthful.
“Really good,” Miles agrees.
I’m the last to grab one and I toss it in my mouth and let the sweet flavor bring my taste buds alive. Once I’ve swallowed, I look at Violet. “These are great, thank you.”
Her lips are pressed into a line, and she nods. “I’m glad you all enjoyed them.”
And there’s that silence again. Theo has dropped the tray on the coffee table and he’s asking Lee for a thumb war.
“If you have something you need to do, I can watch Theo for a while. I’m done with what I need to for the day,” I offer.
