Violet's Valentine: A Clean Friends to Lovers Romance (Love in Holiday Junction Book 1)

by Tami Franklin

  Vi laughed. “Bad movie impression aside, I think you're right,” she replied. “I get the impression David's a bit of a diva.”

  “I think that's pretty obvious.”

  She walked across the wood floor, her heels clicking, and her hair glimmering under the light from the chandelier. “So, who are you taking?”

  “Hmm?” He blinked, trying to catch up.

  “To the ball?” she clarified. “Who are you taking?”

  “Oh, I haven't asked anyone. I hadn't even thought about it.”

  “Really?” She propped her fists on her hips. “Well, you better get on it before it's too late.”

  Before it's too late . . .

  Could this be his chance? Maybe he didn't have to lay out his feelings all over the floor, after all. He could just ask her to the ball. As friends.

  Coward.

  He licked his lips nervously. “Since you brought it up, I was thinking—”

  “How about Lena?” she suggested.

  That took him a bit off guard. “Lena? Lena McKenna?”

  She rolled her eyes. “How many Lenas do you know?”

  “Why would I—”

  “Oh!” She clapped her hands together. “We could double. You and Lena and Liam and me! It would be so much fun!”

  Liam. A double date with Vi and Liam. Kade's heart sank. He'd pretty much rather be locked in a closet and forced to listen to Disco Retro Glam Funk all night.

  “Actually,” he said. “I promised your mom and the ladies that I would help out all night. Refreshments, coat check, that kind of thing. So, I won't be taking a date.”

  “Oh, bummer.” Vi pouted, then slapped him on the arm. “Well, that's nice of you. I didn't even think of volunteering.” She walked over to the windows and did another little twirl. “You know, I thought I hated Holiday Junction when I left, but there are parts of it—” She glanced back at him. “It kind of grows on you, you know?”

  He couldn't keep from asking, “Are you going to miss it, do you think?”

  “Miss it?”

  “When you go back to New York. Or L.A.”

  She bit her lip and looked back out the window. “Oh, yeah. I guess I will,” she said quietly. Pensive.

  “And will you miss Liam?”

  Vi turned to face him. “What's this all about? Why are you being so weird?”

  “I just think if you're going to be leaving, it's kind of wrong to lead him on,” he said, lifting his chin. Where were these words coming from? Because it definitely wasn't his brain.

  “I'm not leading Liam on,” she said, eyes narrowing. “And honestly, that's none of your business.” She went to move past him and Kade grabbed her elbow to stop her.

  “You're right,” he said, looking into her hurt blue eyes. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.”

  She pulled her arm away. “So why did you? What is up with you, Kade?”

  And how could he answer that question?

  “I don't know,” he replied, and it was the truth, to a certain degree. “I've just been feeling weird lately. Maybe I'm getting an early mid-life crisis.”

  Vi's lips twisted. “You're not even thirty.”

  He gave an exaggerated eye roll. “That's why they call it an early mid-life crisis. Sheesh. Keep up, Chalmers.” He draped an arm over her shoulders. “Come on. I hear your mom's making pot roast tonight, and I intend to charm my way to getting some of that.” He waggled his eyebrows and Vi laughed.

  “You're about as charming as a pot roast.”

  “Hey! I resemble that remark.”

  Vi groaned as they walked out of the ballroom and Kade tried not to audibly sigh in relief. He'd almost blown it and told Vi everything, but what would have been the point in that? She had no plans to stay in Holiday Junction—and if she did, it wasn't Kade she'd be staying for. She didn't want him as anything but a friend. That much was obvious.

  They walked out to the car and Kade laughed in all the right places, teased in all the right places, but inside, he felt cold . . . lost.

  He had to get over this, and fast. Because if he didn't, that would mean the only way to protect his heart would be to stay away from Violet Chalmers.

  And that was something he knew he couldn't do.

  Vi sliced off a bite of tender roast and popped it into her mouth, smirking at Kade, sitting across from her at the table. It hadn't taken much charming at all for him to nab an invitation to stay for dinner. Her mom was a softie. Plus, she loved to see people enjoying her cooking.

  Right now, however, she was driving them both crazy going over preparations for the ball. She ate with her left hand while going down a rather detailed list with her right.

  “So, you're sure that's the right place for the booth?” she asked them both. “Because once I have the guys set it up, they won't have time to move it.”

  Vi met Kade's gaze, and she could tell he was trying not to laugh. “It's the perfect spot, Mom, I promise,” Vi said, buttering a roll.

  “Okay, then. I'll take your word for it,” she murmured, checking off an item on her list. “The caterers will be there around four. You can help with that, right, Kade?”

  “Right,” he replied through a mouthful of potato.

  Another check. “And you can both be there Friday to help with decorations?”

  “No rehearsal on Friday, so check that baby off,” Vi said, miming a check mark.

  Lou gave her a prim look. “You laugh, but my lists have kept Holiday Junction events on track—”

  “—for the last twenty years,” Vi and Kade said in unison.

  Lou frowned, but Vi could see the corners of her mouth twitching. “You are bad children. No dessert for you.”

  Kade perked up. “There's dessert?”

  Lou leaned across the table, her face stern. “Not. For. You.”

  Kade looked like he was about to cry, and Vi reached across the table to pat his hand. “Don't worry. We can sneak some when she falls asleep.”

  Lou made an outraged noise and Kade grinned. It was good to see him smiling. Something had really seemed to be on his mind when they were at the lodge, and Vi couldn't figure out what it was. It was weird that he was so upset with her about dating Liam when she planned to leave Holiday Junction eventually. But to accuse her of leading him on?

  Was she? The fact was, Vi wasn't all that sure anymore that she wanted to go back to New York. Sure, she missed performing, and the art of it all. But the crowds and the cockroaches and the being broke all the time?

  Yeah. That part wasn't so great.

  And she'd really been enjoying working with the kids. Teaching them in class and helping them during their rehearsals. It was rewarding in a way she hadn't expected.

  Go figure.

  She pressed the back of her fork against her last potato, smashing it, then raised it to her mouth to lick it off. Kade was watching her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You still do that,” he replied.

  She swallowed her potato and took a sip of water. “Do what?”

  “Eat stuff off the back of your fork.” He smashed his own potato, holding it up to demonstrate. “You used to do it with everything—potatoes, carrots, cake.”

  “I did?” Vi looked at her fork, thoughtful. “I guess I never even realized.” But Kade did. And that gave her a warm feeling inside—that someone would know her so well.

  But Kade always had, hadn't he?

  The doorbell rang and Vi popped up, wiping her mouth. “I'll get it.”

  When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Liam standing on the other side of it. “Hey!” she said, pulling him into a hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop in,” he said, taking off his coat and hanging it on the hook. He followed her into the dining room. “I thought if you weren't busy we could grab a cup of coffee—” He halted when he spotted everyone around the dining table. “I'm sorry. I'm interrupting dinner. I should have
called.”

  “Oh, don't be silly, Liam, you're always welcome here,” Lou said, with a calculating look in her eye that Vi didn't like. “Have a seat. Can I get you a plate?”

  Liam pulled out the chair next to Kade and sat down. “No, thank you. I've already eaten.”

  The room settled down into silence broken only by the scrape of Kade's silverware against his plate. “This roast is amazing, Lou,” he said, taking another slice off the platter. “You're a genius in the kitchen.”

  “Don't try to sweet talk me,” Lou said dryly. “I'm not budging on the dessert.”

  Vi and Kade burst out laughing, quickly joined by Lou, but Liam looked at them all blankly.

  “Did I miss something?” he asked.

  “Oh, it's nothing,” Vi replied. “Just being silly.”

  Lou wiped her mouth and set her napkin on the table. “Since you're here, Liam—” She consulted her list. “Will you be able to help with decorations on Friday?”

  Liam glanced at Vi, who mouthed a sorry at him. “Sure,” he said. “No problem.”

  “Excellent. And would you—”

  “Liam, didn't you mention coffee?” Vi said brightly, standing up from the table. “We should go get that. Right now. Before they close.”

  “Oh, okay.” Liam got to his feet. “Are you sure—”

  “I'm sure,” Vi said with a nod. “See you all later!” she called out to her mom and Kade as she pushed Liam toward the front door.

  “Mom's driving us crazy with her list,” she whispered to Liam as they got their coats. “Believe me, you don't want to be trapped in there.”

  Liam shot a look back toward the dining room. “What about Kade?”

  “Kade's on his own. It's every man for himself,” she hissed. “Now go, man. Go!”

  They drove into town and Vi took in the now-completed decorations. The controversial hearts sparkled on top of the faux-gas lamp posts, twinkle lights sparkled overhead, and cupids, hearts and flowers adorned every window. It really was beautiful, and Vi could understand why tourists flocked to the town.

  Liam pulled to a stop and Vi realized they were parked in front of McKenna's Creamery. “I thought we were going for coffee?” she asked.

  “We were, but since you missed dessert, I thought ice cream might be a better choice.” He tipped his head. “Is that okay?”

  “Yes, sure. It's fine,” she replied. “McKenna's is the best.”

  Liam got out of the car and jogged around to open her door. He took Vi's hand but stopped her when she started to walk toward the shop, and pulled her close.

  “What are you doing?” Vi laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. His big hands spanned her waist as he grinned down at her and Vi's stomach swooped.

  He leaned down, his lips brushing hers. “I couldn't wait to do this again,” he murmured.

  She smiled against his mouth. “Well, don't let me stop you.”

  Liam kissed her again, and it brought back memories of high school dances and moonlit nights. When he finally pulled back, her knees were weak, and she leaned into him as they turned to walk into McKenna's.

  The shop was pretty busy, so they waited in line behind a mom with three kids who couldn't decide what flavor they wanted. Lena was all smiles and patience, but when Vi finally got to the front of the line, her smile fell.

  “I'm never having children,” she whispered. “What'll it be, Vi?” For the first time, she glanced behind Vi and her smile faltered a bit. “—and Liam? Hi, Liam.”

  “Lena.” He nodded. “Looks like they're keeping you busy tonight.” The bell rang over the door and another family came in.

  “It's the Monday night special,” she replied, jerking a thumb at the sign over her shoulder promoting two-for-one scoops. “Not sure if it's a blessing or a curse.”

  They got their ice cream and found a small table near the window. Pretty soon, they were once again reminiscing about old times.

  “You know,” Liam said, dipping a spoon into his bowl. “It seems like all we talk about is high school.”

  “Do we?” Vi thought about it for a moment. “I guess you're right. Well, we did have a lot of fun.”

  “We did, but I'd like to get to know you now,” Liam said, taking a bite of his rocky road.

  Vi wiped her mouth. “What do you want to know?”

  “Anything,” he replied. “What you loved about New York—”

  “Pizza.”

  “—where you lived—”

  “A dump.” She grimaced.

  He sighed and pushed away his ice cream. “I heard you were going to get married.”

  Vi paused with a spoonful of ice cream halfway to her mouth. She let it drop into the bowl and sat back. “Not really.”

  “Not really?” Liam arched a brow. “That's not much of an answer.”

  Vi sat up and began to slowly swirl her ice cream with the spoon, not meeting his eyes. “There was someone. I thought we might get married. It didn't work out.” She shrugged.

  “That's it?”

  Vi's jaw tightened. “He dumped me, is that what you want to hear?”

  “No, of course not.” He reached out and covered her hand with his, but she pulled away, crossing her arms.

  Liam ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Look, I'm sorry,” he said. “I didn't mean to bring up a sensitive subject. And I'm sorry that happened to you—”

  “It's fine,” Vi said tightly, looking out the window. “I'm over it.”

  “Obviously,” Liam said wryly.

  Vi stiffened and faced him. “I am,” she said firmly. “But just because I'm over it, doesn't mean I want to talk about it, okay?”

  Liam puffed out a breath. “I get it,” he said. “And I'm sorry. I just—” He looked upward for a moment, considering. “I want us to build something real here, you know? Not something based on high school memories. I want to really know you. Is that so wrong?”

  And with that, all of Violet's anger dissipated and she felt like—well, kind of a jerk. “No, it's not,” she said in a small voice. I'm sorry.” This time, she reached for his hand, squeezing it slightly.

  “I'm sorry too,” he said.

  I'm so, so, so, so

  so, so, so, so sorry.

  The song popped into her head and she almost laughed out loud. How inappropriate.

  “What is it?” Liam asked, his own lips quirking, and she realized she was smiling.

  “Sorry.” She waved a hand. “It's a song, and—it's nothing.”

  “What song?” he asked.

  “It's dumb,” she replied. “Just something Kade and I made up when we were kids.”

  “Oh.” He sat back. “Kade.”

  “Yeah, it's an I'm sorry song.” She shook her head. “Like I said, it's dumb.”

  “Right, well.” He cleared his throat. “We're still on for Saturday, right?”

  “Of course,” she replied. “But Friday first. We're on the decorating committee, remember?”

  “How could I forget?”

  Vi smiled widely. “Remember that time we were on the committee for the Sadie Hawkins dance?”

  And with that, all tension vanished, and the rest of the evening passed in pleasant conversation.

  Wednesday was a bear of a day. Vi couldn't get her computer to work, so she had to wing a lesson on the history of mime, the kids were wired up about Valentine's Day, and she'd stepped in a puddle on her way into work, so her left foot was cold and clammy all day. On top of that, her male and female leads were absent, so she'd had to run rehearsal with understudies who hadn't bothered to learn the parts yet.

  “Everyone knows the understudy never has to do anything,” one of them had protested. And Vi couldn't even sum up enough energy to argue the point.

  By the end of rehearsal, she was exhausted and irritated. All she wanted to do was go home and crawl in a hot bath, but she and Lena had finally managed to arrange their schedules so they could meet for coffee, and Vi didn't want to cancel on he
r.

  So she walked to the Daily Grind and grabbed an extra-chocolately mocha with extra whipped cream and slumped into a chair across from her friend.

  “Whoa,” Lena said on a laugh. “What happened to you?”

  Lena, of course, looked impeccable, her hair pulled up into a neat ponytail, her clothing clean and dry. Vi made a face at her.

  “Teenagers,” she muttered. “Teenagers happened to me.”

  Lena took a sip of her coffee. “Rough day at the office, dear?”

  “You have no idea.” Vi slid out of her coat and licked the cream off the top of her drink.

  “That's a lot of whipped cream,” Lena pointed out.

  “Don't judge me.” She took a sip of the mocha and sighed. “That's just what I needed.”

  “Coffee and chocolate can cure most of what ails you,” Lena said with a smirk, her dimples making an appearance.

  “And whipped cream.” Vi held up a finger. “Don't forget the whipped cream.”

  “Of course.” Lena tilted her head in a nod. “So, what's new? Well, I mean other than the heathen teenagers tormenting your existence?”

  Vi snorted. “Oh, you know. The usual. Mom's all—” She waved her hands around her head to indicate general craziness. “—about the Sweetheart Ball. Are you going?”

  Lena wrinkled her nose. “Nah. I'm going to keep the shop open for all the lonely souls looking to drown their sorrows in hot fudge.”

  “A true humanitarian.”

  “I try,” Lena said with a smile. “How about you?”

  Vi nodded. “Liam asked me,” she said, sighing heavily.

  “Is that not a good thing?” Lena asked slowly.

  “No, it is, I just—” Vi toyed with her coffee cup. “I don't know. I like Liam. I do.”

  “But . . .” Lena prodded.

  “But,” Vi said with a slow nod. “There's a but. And I don't know why.”

  “Well, you haven't been back that long,” Lena said. “Maybe you need some time.”

  “Maybe,” Vi said thoughtfully. “I was just so crazy about him back in high school, you know. I guess I expected to feel that way again. That's pretty stupid, now that I say it out loud. Who feels like that when they’re our age?”

  “Hey, speak for yourself,” Lena said in mock outrage. “I'm holding out for the guy who'll sweep me off my feet.”