I nodded. “It’s for women in science?”
“Yeah. It’s a fundraising dinner. They’ve asked a few successful alumni to come back and speak.”
“That’s exciting.”
She studied me almost like she wanted to say something. Why was she so surprised I listened to her? Said more about her ex than it did about me. Given the way I witnessed him speak to her, it wasn't shocking she expected her date to ignore her.
“So, Seth…” Savannah’s voice reluctantly pulled my attention from Violet to where Savannah sat a few spots down. “Did you consider my T-shirt idea? I can totally design that. I bet it would raise a ton of money for the station.” Her smirk had shit-stirrer written all over it.
This time there was no controlling my expression. I narrowed my eyes at her until she shrugged.
“You know what they say,” she continued, “when life gives you lemons, grab some tequila and salt.”
Violet chuckled as the blonde straight across from me said, “No one says that.”
“I saw it on a sign.” Savannah rolled her eyes. “So, someone has said it.”
Violet chuckled again and I glanced that way, catching Hattie’s look of bewilderment.
“Sometimes I wonder why she’s friends with me and not her,” Hattie said with a shake of her head.
“Aww, I find you funny too.” Violet leaned toward her, bumping her shoulder. “Most of the time anyway.”
I was a little confused. Why were we here celebrating Savannah’s birthday if they weren’t friends?
Multiple conversations started up again, and I was working to tune it all out, but a strange sound had me glancing back at Violet.
Did she just giggle?
She caught my gaze and angled over again even closer than last time. “I probably should’ve eaten something before that shot and margarita.” She leaned further into me, resting her head on my shoulder.
I stiffened, but then immediately forced myself to relax. No one was going to believe we were dating if I tensed up every time she touched me. I shifted and placed my arm around her back, gripping her chair and pulling it closer. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with my hand now though. The most convenient place would be on her hip, but that felt too intimate. So, I let it rest on the edge of her seat.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long before the waitress and staff showed up with trays of food and passed the plates out. Because sitting there, ultra-aware of Violet nestled into my side, reminded me of the other two times she was pressed to my body.
And just like those other times, I couldn’t say I hated it.
VIOLET
“Feeling better?” Seth’s warm breath skated across my ear as his hand rubbed up and down my back, sending a shiver racing down my spine. It was hard to remember that this was fake when my body kept reacting to him in very real ways. Had I ever had such a quick and intense reaction like this to a man before?
I nodded, not trusting my voice to answer his question. Maybe I should have skipped the shot. At least I wasn’t feeling so dizzy anymore. But I was definitely feeling all kinds of otherthings. Had the alcohol enhanced my body’s reaction to him? Or was it just him?
And why did he have to smell so damn good? So rustic and manly. Rugged. Very Seth.
The food definitely helped me get my senses under control. I’d always been a lightweight when it came to alcohol, but on an empty stomach, it was ten times worse. I spun the green aventurine bracelet on my wrist, its properties of calm and balance probably helped decrease the effects of the alcohol as well. Hey, every little bit helps, right?
The waitress appeared again and handed Seth a glass of water.
“Thank you,” he said before setting it down in front of me and moving my empty water out of the way. I hadn’t even realized it was empty. “Try to drink more. It’ll help.”
I nodded and picked it up, bringing it to my lips.
“How long have you two been dating?” Hattie and Savannah’s sister Ashley asked from across the table.
Shit.Didn’t expect Ashley to be the one going straight for the jugular. At least the surprise didn’t have me choking on my water. Seth and I hadn’t talked about any of this. But it was always best to go with as close to the truth as possible.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Seth beat me to it. “A couple of weeks.”
