Page 22 of Come Back to Me

“Are you admiring my costume?”

“For someone who didn’t want to be here, you definitely took your time getting ready.”

“Do you even know who I’m supposed to be?” She places her hands on her hips.

I tightly squish my face and shake my head.

Violet giggles. “Don’t do that. You’re going to hurt yourself.” She pauses for a moment and starts singing the chorus of a song.

A light bulb goes off in my head. “Oh, you’re Taylor Swift.”

“Good job.”

“Do I win a prize or something?”

“Technically, I did give you a huge hint.”

“Usually when a person gets an answer right in a game or a contest, they win a prize.”

“I guess you’re right.”

I make a goofy face at Violet.

“You’re adorable. Come with me.” She takes my hand, dragging us through a huge crowd of people.

I don’t care where Blake is anymore. Once I’m in Violet’s orbit, there’s no escaping. And I don’t want to escape.

Violet and I make it back inside the house. She takes me upstairs and into her bedroom, closing the door behind us.

“Violet Rose Prescott, what are you doing?”

“Nothing.” Her voice is all high-pitched and squeaky.

I sit down on the front edge of Violet’s bed. “Why are we in your bedroom, Vi?”

“I’m giving you your prize.”

“Really? What is it?” My voice goes up a few octaves.

“The sound of silence.”

Why did I think she was going to kiss me? Did I read the signs wrong? I must have. Now I’m disappointed. Is it obvious? Can she tell?

Violet sits down next to me, crossing her leg over the other and studying my face.

“I thought that…” I trail off. “Nevermind.”

“You thought what?”

“Nothing.”

“We don’t lie to each other, Gray. What’s going on?”

“I wish I could, but I can’t.”

“Please tell me.”

I don’t need to close the gap between us to be engulfed by her sweet scent once again.