Page 77 of Then and Now
Despite handling the coordination of the police department for the festival, Leo managed to get coverage for himself so he could spend the day with Violet and me. We woke up together at his house with a little girl nestled in between us after she made her way into our bed in the middle of the night. Any trepidation I had about Violet’s acceptance of me as part of their family disappeared in that moment when she snuggled up to me in the dark.
Once we got to the festival, Violet was her usual shy self, except instead of clinging to Leo, she hung onto me. The knowing glances my friends gave me when they saw the three of us together had me preening a bit. I’m happy — so happy — and I don’t care who knows it.
“This is adorable,” Ashley swoons as she and the rest of my friends come up beside me.
“Yeah, but also, excellent blackmail evidence.” Finn snaps a picture before I can slap his phone out of his hand.
“Finn, don’t you dare scare him off. You guys need to make nice with Leo. Be friends with him.”
“Don’t worry, Serena, Leo’s a good guy. He fits in with you, and with us, just fine,” Ethan comments, wrapping his arms around Summer from behind. “I was surprised when he said he wanted to leave Violet at home for our wedding. You guys know she’s welcome to come.”
I shiver at the thought of the week in the Cayman Islands we have coming up to celebrate Ethan and Summer. They wanted something small and intimate, and that’s exactly what it’ll be. Just us friends at a beachfront resort on a small tropical island.
We each get our own private suite on the beach. Which is why little Miss Violet is staying home…
I can’t wait.
But first, we need to get through this dance performance. I give my cue to the person at the side of the stage, and they press play on our music. As I start to lift my hands and move, my adorable class of girls follows along in that super cute way only toddlers do. The adults on stage are with them, swinging their hands and turning around, encouraging their little ones.
Then there’s Leo.
He’s concentrating so hard his brow is furrowed, but every now and then I see him steal a glance down at Violet and smile. It’s enough to almost make me lose track of the steps.
When the music ends, there’s a roar of applause and cheers, most of it coming from Leo’s cousins.
“Daddy dance pwetty!” Violet announces when they get over to our group, earning a few discreet chuckles.
“Yes, he certainly did,” I reply, reaching a hand out to run my hand over her blonde hair I tamed into a braid this morning. “And so did you, missy.”
Violet beams. She loves dance, almost as much as I did at her age. That’s why I set the extra money from my dad aside, after paying off the studio mortgage, of course, for dance school for Vi. If she wants it.
“Hey kiddo, want to come with Uncle Sawyer over to the firetruck?”
Violet frowns at Sawyer, and Leo just shakes his head. “I’ll come too, baby girl.”
“No, Rena come.”
“Maybe after that, we can hit up the Scoops stand and get some ice cream?” Leo’s Aunt Claire asks, and Vi nods vigorously. “And then we’re going to check out the animals.” She winks at Leo and I. “And give the grown-ups some time to themselves.”
That time to ourselves doesn’t happen after the firetruck or the ice cream. But I’m okay with it. Because Violet wanting to be with me? That’s close to the best feeling in the world.
But it’s not quitethebest.
That honour is reserved for moments like this one. Sitting with Leo on the small Ferris wheel bench, letting it lift us up into the dusk-lit air.
Violet has gone home with Aunt Claire for a sleepover, so it’s just the two of us for the rest of the night. Well, the two of us, plus all our friends scattered throughout the festival with plans to meet up later for the fireworks show.
“You know, from now on, I’m leaving all the dancing to you, Tippy.” Leo leans over and kisses the side of my neck before dropping his hand down to my thigh. I’m starting to wonder if he had ulterior motives when he encouraged me to wear this long stretchy skirt today. I only agreed because it was an unseasonably warm day for early October. That and the skirt looks really good with my brown boots.
“Why? You did so well.” I can’t help but tease him. “And sparkly pink is definitely your colour.”
“What was with that shirt, anyway? Did it have to be so shiny?”
“The girls picked it out.” I shrug, leaning my body against his strong arm. His lips find my head, resting there as the ride takes us higher and higher. Eventually, his hand, lazily drawing circles on my leg, starts to move up.
“Leo,” I whisper, shifting in the seat. “What are you doing?”
“Just enjoying the view.”
