I hadn’t heard from—other than a large bouquet of flowers he’d sent with a simple “get well soon” card—was Vincent. According to Leo, he’d convinced his father to stay away for my peace of mind. But there had to be more to the story. I couldn’t imagine that Vincent had taken it well when he’d found out about the townhouse or his sons’ decision to take care of me away from the mansion.
Still, I was grateful for the reprieve. Despite the massive hassle of dealing with my broken leg, life had been pretty quiet. The guys were all getting along—at least, in front of me. Tristin hadn’t made a single snarky remark in my presence. He and Hayle were being sweet and attentive without making any moves to kiss me. And Leo was proving himself to be the epitome of a considerate boyfriend. He refused to sleep in the same bed as me for fear of hurting me, keeping our physical contact to quick kisses, hugs, and holding hands. Which was something I didn’t intend to let him get away with for much longer.
But we still hadn’t talked any more about that night, and I knew we needed to. We’d been walking—or, in my case, hobbling—on eggshells around each other. I didn’t like it. I wanted things to go back to normal between us.
At the same time, I couldn’t bring myself to broach the subject. Procrastination was so much simpler.
A knock sounded at the front door, and I looked up from my sketchpad in time to see Petra stick her head in. “You decent?” I’d given her my key, since I didn’t need it right now, and it was easier than getting up every time she knocked.
“Am I ever not decent?” It wasn’t like Leo and I got down and dirty on the living room couch. Well, we hadn’t since my accident. Unfortunately.
The only good thing about our sex hiatus was that he’d gifted me my very first vibrator. And, damn, had I not known what I was missing. The little pink toy was pure magic.
She laughed as she skipped into the living room and plopped on the couch. “No comment.”
“You’re in a good mood.”
“That’s because I finally convinced Nana to shut down the shop over Thanksgiving so we can spend a few days in Vancouver.”
I kept forgetting that Thanksgiving was already next week. It didn’t seem possible, but time did move on, whether I was out participating in the world or not.
“That’s fun.”
She rested her head against the couch cushion. “I don’t even care if it’s fun. I just need to get out of this town for a few days.”
“Is something going on?” Petra was always so upbeat, I sometimes forgot that there was more under the surface that she wasn’t revealing to the world.
“Not really. I just hate feeling like I’m wasting my life in this small town, doing nothing but going to school and work. I’m too young to be this boring.”
“Boring? You?”
She glared at me. “Yes, me.”
“What about all of the parties?” I didn’t think she’d gone a single weekend without hitting up at least one college party. Even during midterms.
“Eh. They’re all the same.”
I couldn’t disagree, but the sentiment still sounded strange coming from her. I was in the middle of figuring out what to ask her next when the doorbell rang, and Petra jumped up from the couch. “Oh, that must be your guest.”
“What guest?”
“You’ll see,” she sang as she opened the door...and in walked Violet Jacobs.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Thea
Violet looked pretty much the same as the last time I’d seen her. Her crazy long, blonde hair was braided to the side and hung over one shoulder. Her oversized black-framed glasses covered what I knew were exceptionally large blue eyes. And she appeared timid. Nervous. Which wasn’t surprising, since the last time we’d talked, she’d basically told me we couldn’t be friends anymore.
Before I had a chance to come up with something to say, Petra hurried back to the couch, picked up her bag, then headed for the door. “Well, I’ll get going and give you two some time to talk. Are you up for movie night tomorrow?”
I nodded, still a little speechless by Violet’s presence.
“Good. I can’t believe you’ve never seen Magic Mike.” She waggled her eyebrows. “You’re in for a major treat of the eye candy variety.”
Then, she was gone, and I was left alone with my former almost-friend. Well, not quite alone, since Tristin was upstairs. But close enough.
I gestured to the nearest