But if given the option of seeing Violet or not seeing Violet, he’d always opt to see her.
And if he had to choose between making the most of the next month or breaking things off? Well…only time would tell.
Eight
“That was…amazing.”
Hunter leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Thank you.”
“No, seriously. How do you do it?”
His laugh was so deep and masculine she was practically in a puddle at just the sound of it. “It’s really not a big deal.”
“Oh, believe me,” she countered. “It is.”
Straightening, he smiled down at her. “Okay, the key is to get the bacon extra crispy before you stuff it in the middle of the uncooked meatloaf. You put half the ground beef mixture in the bottom of the loaf pan, then add the bacon and cheese, then top with the rest of the meat and bake. It’s fairly simple.”
“I never even thought about stuffing a meatloaf!” Then she laughed. “Hell, I can’t even remember the last time I had meatloaf!”
“We happen to love it,” he replied, clearing away the dinner dishes. “Plus, it allows Eli to make a mashed potato volcano, so…everybody wins.”
Smiling, Violet got up to help him with the cleanup.
If anyone had told her she’d be happy having a date night that consisted of meatloaf and watching Toy Story 4, she would have said they were crazy. And yet…here she was.
And not hating it.
They worked side-by-side–talking about the school kids who had come to the firehouse for a field trip today, and the vacation to Greece Violet had booked for a senior’s group–and it was all so very domestic that it should have made her twitchy.
But it didn’t.
Once that was done, Hunter took Eli to bathe him and get him into bed while Violet checked her emails and looked over some new incentives the people at Visit California had sent her. All the trips sounded terrific, and there was a part of her that would love just to spend a month there and experience as much of it as she could. It would make one hell of a road trip–similar to the one she’d helped Katie and Brian do for their honeymoon–only longer. Plus, she’d love to follow the travel bureau’s route and be able to tell clients all about it.
The idea had merit.
Once Brian was home and she returned to Nashville, she didn’t have anything else on the schedule until after the new year. Maybe it would be the perfect time to go and see what else California had to offer.
Of course, she’d want to spend a few weeks at home just to check in with everything and plan properly…
“Hmm…” Pulling up the notes app on her phone, she made a notation to take a closer look at her calendar in the morning and start thinking about the logistics of making such a trip and what she would realistically have to spend to do it right. “I do love when a plan starts to come together,” she murmured.
“What are you planning?” Hunter asked with a smile as he walked back into the room.
“Just looking at some travel opportunities in California.” Holding up her phone, she showed him a promo picture from the Visit California site. “I’ve never done a road trip vacation before personally, but I’m thinking of trying it after the baby’s born.” Putting her phone away, she rubbed the spot on the couch beside her. “Eli asleep?”
But Hunter wasn’t smiling.
If anything, he seemed…sad.
“Is everything okay?”
When he sat down, it was at the other end of the couch–effectively confirming that something was bothering him.
“So you’re going to leave here, go home to Nashville, swap out suitcases and then…what? Fly to California?”
Weird question, but…okay. “Well, it’s not quite that simple. I’ll go home for a few weeks–maybe more–depends on how long it takes to plan everything out. I’m going to want to start in Northern California and drive all the way down so I see the whole state from end to end. I know I’m not going to see everything, but enough of it to be able to offer some fantastic options for clients. And I can do blog posts and take pictures to put up on my website and do Instagram stories on it,” she went on, smiling. “I think it will be a lot of fun!”
He nodded but didn’t comment.
After a moment, she sighed, “Okay, out with it. What are you thinking right now?”
“Honestly? I’m wondering how you can live like that.”
Frowning, she asked, “Like what?”
“Out of a suitcase!” he said with more than a little heat. “By the time Katie has her baby, you’ll have been here for almost two months! I get that your job makes it easy for you to work from anywhere, but don’t you want to see friends? Relax in your own home?”
“Hunter…”
“No, I’m serious, Violet. I just don’t get it. I can’t imagine having zero interest in my own home, my town!” He made a small growl of frustration before he leaned back against the cushions. When he finally looked at her, he looked miserable. “What are we even doing here?”
And that’s when it hit her–he was having all the same anxieties she was.
This was just his version of it.
And strangely, that made her feel better.
Scooching closer to him, she rested one hand on his denim-clad leg. “You know why it’s so easy for me to pick up and go?” she asked. “It’s because that’s how my life was growing up. We didn’t stay in any one place for long, and when you go into foster care, you can’t get too attached to a home or the people because you never know when you’re going to have to leave. Some psychologist would probably have a field day with me right now, but there it is.”
“Violet, I’m…”
But she wasn’t listening. “Look, Hunter, I’m not asking you to live my life. And we both went into this…whatever it is we’re doing, knowing I wasn’t going to be here long.” Closing her eyes, she took one of his hands in hers and loved how big and warm and strong it felt. “You need to know I didn’t plan on meeting you–or anyone–and even though I’m only here for a short time, I’d like to spend some of it with you.”
When she opened her eyes, she saw he looked a little less miserable.
“I don’t normally do things like this,” he began, his voice low. “Eli and my job take up all of my time. And when I do go out with a woman, I already know going into it that it’s not going anywhere.” He paused and gave her a look that could only be described as hopeless. “You’re the first woman I wished it was going somewhere with.”
And damn if that didn’t sum up her feelings too.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything,” he went on. “Maybe it’s too soon even to be thinking it, but I just thought…” He paused and shook his head. “I believe in being honest and upfront with people, Violet, and I knew this was going to bother me if I didn’t say anything. So…”
“You want to know something funny?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve been asking myself what we’re doing too.” She offered him a weak smile. “You know a little of my history and where I came from, Hunter. I usually prefer to keep things casual and I don’t get too emotionally involved.”
“Oh.”
“But…it’s not like that with you. And, like you, I kept thinking it’s too soon, and maybe I don’t really know what I feel, but as we’re sitting here and talking about this, I know I feel something for you. Actually, I feel a lot about you. And even though I’m not going to be here for long, I’d like to spend what I can with you too.”
She held her breath and waited for him to respond.
And waited.
Weird, I essentially agreed with everything he said he wanted…
“Are you sure?” he finally asked, and Violet felt herself sag with relief.
“Yeah, Hunter. I’m sure.”
He closed the distance between them, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her as if his life depended on it.
Yeah, she was definitely sure.
&
nbsp; The rest of the week was a combination of running Katie all around town doing all her last-minute preparations for both the arrival of the baby and her husband returning home and running around with Hunter as they tried to find time to be alone.
The running around with Hunter was way more fun.
And creative!
Just thinking about some of the ways they had managed to find time to be alone uninterrupted made her a little giggly.
Of course, Hunter had a house, and it was the obvious place they could be together, but…they both felt weird about having sex in the house while Eli was there. That meant most of their sexy time had to take place at random times of the day.
Like whenever Hunter was on a break, he’d text her and she’d meet him at his house or his brother Kyle would show up after dinner and offer to take Eli out for ice cream so they could have an hour alone…
It was fun, and it felt like they were kids sneaking around and it added to the excitement of being together.
Although, to be honest, they didn’t need anything to help in that category. All Hunter had to do was look at her and she was practically weak in the knees and ready to strip down for him. The man was becoming a serious addiction and she wouldn’t change a thing.
Okay, that wasn’t entirely true. She was starting to wish she was going to be staying in Magnolia Sound for a little longer. Of course, she totally could, but…was it the right thing to do? Violet already knew she wasn’t someone looking for a long-term relationship, but she also knew she wasn’t ready to let Hunter go yet.
It was Saturday afternoon, and she was in the guest room looking over some emails. Rose had just left with Kira, who she was taking for the night, and Katie had asked if it was okay if she had the house to herself for the night. How could Violet possibly say no?
Lucky for her, Hunter had invited her to come for dinner and said he had something important to talk to her about. Her curiosity was piqued, but he assured her it wasn’t anything bad.
Eli was staying with his grandfather tonight, so they were going to have the whole night alone together.
“Am I being an ungrateful bitch?”
Violet turned and found Katie standing in the doorway. “What are you talking about?”
Sighing dramatically, she trudged into the room and sat down on the bed. “You’ve done so much for me this week–driving me to doctor appointments, doing the grocery shopping, and going to the mall to get all my crazy last-minute baby stuff–and what do I do? I throw you out tonight! I even threw my own daughter out! I’m awful!”
Dealing with an emotional pregnant woman was exhausting, but Violet was getting used to it. “Okay, before you spiral any further, you need to relax. We already knew we were going to do all the shopping this week because it just made sense. And as for throwing me out, you have to realize you’re doing me a huge favor. I have only a limited amount of full nights left with Hunter, and the fact that I can leave here guilt-free means I can enjoy it even more!”
For a minute, Katie looked mildly confused.
Then she smiled.
“So what I’m hearing is…I’m a great friend who is completely selfless and awesome, right?”
Unable to help herself, Violet laughed. “Yes. That is exactly what you’re hearing.”
“Yay, me!”
Hugging, Violet rested her head against Katie’s. “Admit it, Brian’s able to FaceTime with you tonight, isn’t he?”
“Busted.”
With a quick kiss on her friend’s cheek, she stood. “Then you go get you some too!”
“Please,” she replied with a snort. “There is nothing sexy about me right now. Plus, for all I know, an orgasm could send me into labor.” Then she paused. “Although…the idea has merit.”
“Oh, no you don’t! You let that baby keep cooking. You’ve only got a few more weeks!”
“I know you’re right.” Sighing, she looked up at Violet. “So what do you think Hunter wants to talk to you about tonight? Did he give you any clues?”
“Not a one. And for the life of me, I can’t imagine what it is. We’ve had the whole this is only temporary talk so…what else could it be?”
“Maybe he wants to spend more time with you.”
“Or maybe less…” And damn if that wasn’t a depressing thought.
“Okay, don’t go in that direction. I doubt he’d give you a head’s up if he were looking to end things.”
“Maybe.”
“You know what? Forget I even brought it up. Now finish doing what you’re doing and you can tell me all about it tomorrow.”
And for a pregnant woman, Katie almost sprinted from the room.
“How would you feel about coming to my brother’s wedding with me?”
Violet’s eyes went wide and she pretty much froze at his question.
Not quite the reaction I was hoping for…
“Um…what?”
Hunter almost took the invitation back but figured it was already out there. “Yeah, so my brother Dean is getting married in two weeks and I’d like you to be my date.”
“But…” She paused and cleared her throat. “Aren’t you in the bridal party or something?”
Nodding, he said, “I am, but it’s not a big, formal thing. Not really. The whole thing is being held at my sister Scarlett’s house. She and her husband have a brand-new place on the sound–like right on the water–and the ceremony and reception are going to be held there.”
“Oh…well, sure,” she said, smiling. “I should probably add that as long as Katie’s not in labor, I’ll be there because…”
“I know,” he said, feeling extremely relieved. He had worried he’d have to try harder to convince her. “How’s she feeling? Any more Braxton Hicks issues?”
“Nothing like she experienced the first week I was here, thankfully. But I think she’s seriously ready to give birth. Like if Brian were home, she’d be doing everything humanly possible to induce labor.”
“I’m sure. Those last weeks are the worst.”
“Eli’s mom felt the same way?”
“She was miserable throughout the entire pregnancy, so there was no real difference,” he said, hoping he sounded amused and not resentful. “But I saw it with Scarlett and with multiple expectant mothers I’ve encountered as part of the EMT squad.”
“She’s got the house to herself tonight and is supposed to FaceTime with Brian. I teased her about it being sexy time, and she shot me down. Of course, there’s the possibility she didn’t want to share that with me…”
“Are you trying to tell me the two of you don’t talk about things like that? Because I find that hard to believe.”
With a knowing smirk, she looked him in the eye. “Are you really sure you want to know? Because now that we’re involved, it would mean we would have talked about you too.”
There was no mirror to confirm or deny it, but Hunter was pretty sure he seriously paled. “Um…yeah. No. Never mind.” Jumping to his feet, he quickly looked around and scrambled to change the subject. “So, uh…are you hungry? I thought we’d go out and get something to eat–maybe go to the Sand Bar or something.”
Standing, she walked toward him and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Smart man. And yes, I am definitely hungry.”
He had warred with himself about whether to go out to eat or to get takeout or even to grill up some burgers, mainly because he didn’t want any intrusions on their time alone. As it was, they hardly had any, and the thought of wasting any of it going out to a restaurant wasn’t all that appealing. Then he realized he didn’t want Violet to feel like he only wanted to see her for sex.
Sometimes it was damn hard having a conscience.
The drive into town didn’t take long, and they happened to luck out with a short wait for a table. The place was as crowded as it usually was, and as Hunter looked around, he saw a lot of familiar faces. He waved and smiled as they walked to their table, but stopped when he spotted his brother Dean waving them over.
“Who’s that?” Violet asked.
“Dean and Courtney. I’ll just go over and say hello real quick. I’ll meet you at the table.”
“Oh, uh…”
Yeah, it was kind of a dick move, but he wasn’t in the mood to share Violet with anyone tonight. So he quickly wove through the tables and smiled at his brother and future sister-in-law. “Hey, guys.”
Courtney looked beyond him. “Did you seriously just ditch your date to come over here?”
Looking over his shoulder, he saw Violet sitting in the booth, chatting with the waitress. “Uh…maybe? Sort of.” He looked back at them. “Date night, and we don’t get a lot of time to ourselves, so…”
“Why don’t you join us?” Dean asked, grinning.
“Baby,” Courtney said sweetly. “He just said…”
“Hunter, come on, man!” his brother said with a disapproving look. “Go over there and get her and then join us.”
“We really only have this one night to…”
“Although, your booth is roomier than our table, so why don’t we join you?” And before Hunter could utter a protest, Dean and Courtney were on their feet and heading toward Violet.
By the time Hunter joined them, Violet was laughing and smiling, and he was having a hard time being annoyed with his family.
Sliding into the booth beside her, Hunter put his arm around Violet. “So, this is my brother Dean and his fiancé, Courtney.” And then wanted to smack the smile off his brother’s face. “I guess they’re joining us.”
“You’re getting married soon, right?”
“Yes, we are!” Courtney replied excitedly.
The conversation immediately went into talk of wedding plans, followed by how they’d met. Not that it was a particularly exciting of a story–Courtney was his sister’s best friend. She’d been coming to their house since she and Scarlett were in kindergarten. For the life of him, he didn’t get why she loved telling that story so much, but…she did.
They ordered food and Violet answered all kinds of questions about her travel business. No matter what destination Courtney and Dean threw at her, she had information about it.
Can't Help Falling in Love Page 10
