Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Chapter 20
Callum
Don’t get me wrong. Spending the day with Violet was incredible. It was better than I ever imagined it could be between us. Her laughter, the way her hair looked like a blazing fire in the sunlight, the quiet moments we shared, it was fucking perfect. But now that I’m looking back, I can’t shake this gnawing frustration simmering beneath the surface. The fact that my family orchestrated the whole thing just sets me off.
I’m not used to being manipulated, especially by the people who should know me best. I’ve always been the responsible one, the one who holds things together when everyone else is running around chasing whatever chaotic idea pops into their heads. They think I’m uptight, that I work too much, but what they don’t get is that I need order. I thrive in structure, in knowing what’s coming next. I’m not like them, thriving on impulsive decisions and spur-of-the-moment plans.
So, when they told Violet and me to meet them at the waterfall, and then conveniently failed to show up, it didn’t take long for me to realize I’d been set up. The whole thing reeked of one of their schemes, probably masterminded by Anya or Paxton, thinking it’d be hilarious to push Violet and me together.
And yeah, the day turned out pretty great, but that doesn’t mean I appreciate being played. I don’t like feeling like a pawn in some game I didn’t sign up for. I’m not the kind of guy who thrives on surprises or being tricked into something, even if the outcome was... well, amazing.
I glance over at Violet, still feeling that lingering warmth from our time at the lake. She had no idea either, and that just adds to the mix of emotions swirling inside me. The day was real, the connection undeniable, but knowing my family had a hand in it just makes me feel like I’ve been blindsided. And I can’t stand that feeling. Not when it comes to something as complicated as my relationship with Violet.
They just don’t get it, but either way I can no longer deny this insane attraction I have for her. I meant it when I asked her out on a date. I want to date my wife. I want to shower her with all the affection she deserves, but it’s weird, right?
Like I feel like we’re doing everything backwards. Marriage, and then dating. I’m sure the whole thing will probably end in a disaster, but I still can’t stop myself from wondering, what if?
What if it ends in something incredible?
My family’s all found their perfect happily-ever-afters. Why can’t I?
Everyone heads off to their tents, and Violet lingers at the entrance to ours. Every part of me wants to go in there and relive that kiss we shared earlier today, but I don’t want to move too quickly.
We barely know one another. And she’s my fucking wife. If things blow up, we’ll still be stuck together for two years.
I enter the tent, and we get ready for bed. We lie on the air mattress, and I toss the sleeping bag over us both, like a comforter. “Thank you for today,” I tell her.
She props onto her side. “For what?”
“You could have gotten really mad because my family orchestrated that little master plan. I’m sorry for that.”
She smiles, and it nearly takes my breath away. “You don’t have to apologize for that. I find it funny. I never grew up with siblings, so I guess I don’t get that dynamic.”
“Well, they’re all annoying, that’s for sure.”
She laughs at that, and snuggles closer. “I should be the one thanking you. You’ve been a great husband so far, and I feel like I can’t thank you enough for offering to help me.”
I brush a stray strand of hair from her face. “Violet, you don’t ever need to thank me for that. Anyone would be an idiot not to want to marry you.” My body heats up, every cell in my body vibrating with want. “And I can’t wait to take you on our first official date.”
Her whole face lights up like a campfire. “Where are you taking me?”
Fuck. I hadn’t even thought that far yet. I could be generic and offer to take her to the nicest restaurant in our small town of Magnolia Ridge, Moore’s, or I could think of something different. But would Violet even appreciate fancy? “The Rusty Spur?” I say, posing it as a question to see if she laughs the idea away.
“You want to take me line dancing?”
I shrug. “Could be fun. Millie and Hartford have been saying it’s their new favorite place.”
She nods. “Yeah, Millie mentioned it to me.” And then she smiles wide. “I’d love to go dancing with you. I’ve even got some cowboy boots.”
As we lay together on the air mattress in the dim glow of our tent, the space feels intimate, wrapped in the soft hum of crickets and the gentle rustle of the trees outside. The warmth of Violet’s body is just inches from mine, and the closeness stirs something deep inside me. My heart pounds in rhythm with hers, the air between us charged with an unspoken tension.