Page 19 of Come Back to Me

“Who the hell is making you smile like that?” Blake asks Violet.

“None of your business!” She walks into the house.

I follow suit, trailing behind them and Georgia.

It looks like the Spirit Halloween store threw up on every square inch of their massive home.

Georgia disappears to the back patio, leaving us behind.

Blake and I head upstairs until Violet runs past us and crashes into her brother.

“Watch where you’re going,” he says to her.

“Maybe ifyouweren’t inmyway, we wouldn’t be having a problem right now.” Violet crosses her arms, standing tall and proud.

“Are you on your period or something?”

“No, jackass. I’m not in the mood to deal with your bullshit tonight. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t be going to this party, but I never have a choice. Give me my space, and I’ll happily give you yours. Now get out of my way.”

Why was that so hot?

I look down at the stairs, briefly meeting Violet’s gaze when I lift my head back up. Licking my lips, I bring my fist up and place it in front of my mouth in a horizontal position.

Violet waves her middle finger in front of Blake’s face. Before he can say anything smart to her, she runs up the stairs and vanishes into her room.

Blake notices I’m staring off into the distance. “You coming, bro?”

I blink rapidly to bring myself back to reality. “Huh?”

“We need to put on our costumes, remember?”

“Right. I’ll be there in a second.”

Blake nods, heading into his bedroom and slamming the door shut.

Walking over to Violet’s bedroom door, I softly knock on it.

She opens the door and leans against the doorframe, planting a hand on her hip. “I thought you weren’t going to come to my door until you were dressed in your costume.”

“Well, I decided that now is better than later.”

She slowly nods. “Ah, I see.”

“What was all of that back there?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She folds her arms, tapping her fingers on her bicep.

“That’s funny. You don’t recall going off on your brother a few minutes ago?”

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t.”

I inhale her scent because she smells like vanilla orchid, grapefruit, and pink peppercorn.

I wonder if she tastes like that, too.

“You’re a pain in my ass, Prescott.”

“It wouldn’t be fair if you weren’t a pain in my ass, too.”