“No, Justin. It’s great. You would never last with a wallflower. I know you like to take care of people, but you also like a challenge. You need to be with someone who is as smart and as strong as you are, who understands all that goes along with being you. But it doesn’t mean that she needs to put up with anything she’s uncomfortable with. You’d better be careful not to smother her,” Violet warned.
“I’m trying not to, but no one has ever watched out for her, and I want to be that guy, Vi.”
“Hey, I tried to watch out for her. I told you to keep your snake out of her grass the first time you met her,” Violet reminded him. “It sounds like Chloe’s good for you.”
“I think we’re good for each other. She gets me, and I don’t think she’s ever given anyone a chance to know her well enough to really understand who she is, until now.”
“I’m sorry she’s had a rough go of things, but I’m glad she’s letting you in.”
“Yeah, me too. I wish I could change all that for her,” he said honestly. “And, Vi, you should know Chloe and I talked about us—you and me—because of all that shit that went down when you first got to the Cape and came out when Andre first showed up.”
“Oh shit. I was in such a bad place then.” Worry rose in Violet’s eyes. “I hope that didn’t make things more difficult for you two.”
“It was definitely one of the reasons she held back for so long, but she understands it now.”
“Good. I’m sorry I was so broken back then. I feel bad that you two had to deal with that.”
“It’s okay. Chloe’s tough.”
“I know, but tough girls can get hurt, too. If anyone knows that, I do.” Violet smiled and said, “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. You’ve always been there for me. I can tell you anything without feeling judged, and from what you’ve said, it sounds like Chloe has never had someone like that in her life. She’s lucky to have you, and I’m really happy for you both. But as much as you want to plow into her life and protect her, don’t do it, Justin. You waited a long time for her to be ready for you. Don’t overwhelm her. As a prideful woman, I can tell you that nothing feels worse than someone you care about acting as though you’re not strong enough or capable enough—emotionally or otherwise—to take care of yourself.”
Justin thought about that. “I would never want her to feel that way.”
“I know. That’s why I’m telling you this. I have a feeling if you give Chloe enough space and time, she’ll show you what she needs in a partner.”
The studio door flew open, and Chloe rushed in with bags in her hands, talking a mile a minute as she headed for Justin. “Hi! I know we didn’t have plans for tonight, but I got off a little early after I met with Mads and I was so excited about getting pictures of her hands, I had to show you! We got lucky. She showed me her new nail polish and let me take pictures of it. I love her, by the way. She was so helpful and we had a blast working together. I really think this proposal is going to go over well. Tomorrow is my big pitch day!” She dropped her bags on the table and dug around in one as she said, “I stopped to get tacos for dinner because I thought you might have gotten caught up in sculpting and forgotten to eat, and Mads told me about this T-shirt place, so I stopped and got this on the way here.” She spun around, holding up a black T-shirt with white letters across the chest that read MY PRINCE CHARMING DOESN’T RIDE A WHITE HORSE. HE DRIVES A HARLEY.
If she only knew how much her showing up out of the blue, and that silly shirt, meant to him. “I didn’t think it was possible for my day to get any better, babycakes, but damn. You’re here, and I fucking love that shirt.”
“Hi, Chloe!” Violet called out.
Chloe’s eyes moved to the phone in Justin’s hand, and her eyes widened. “Violet? Oh my gosh. Hi. I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were on the phone.”