Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Mom purses her lips. “This feels like bad modeling.”
“Why? We’re just trying to prevent awkward and potentially scarring future scenarios. But if you feel really bad about it, you can always take me to the Waffle House to make up for it.” They have the best chocolate chip waffles in the world.
Mom pats my knee. “Come on then.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
LET’S ALL GET ALONG
Skye
Two weeks post our botched date first, Violet-coming-home-during-first-time-sexing, Violet is finally ready to meet Sidney. We decide to keep it brief. He’s picking me up for a dinner date. It’s the middle of the week and Violet has a physics test tomorrow, so she’s spread out over the kitchen table with a bowl of Swedish Fish and her notebook.
She glances up when my heels click on the kitchen floor and whistles. “Looking good. Those jeans are great.”
“We’re going casual. I can bring you back something from the restaurant.”
“Nah. I’ll make myself ramen in a bit.”
The doorbell rings.
I run my sweaty palms over my hips. “Are you ready to meet him?”
She tips her head. “Are you ready for me to meet him?”
“Yes. I think so. Yes.”
“Take a breath, Mom. It’ll be fine.”
This is the first time I’ve introduced someone to Violet in over five years. The last guy wasn’t bad, but they didn’t click the way I’d hoped. And that was the end of him. I really like Sidney. He’s stable, a dedicated father, and a lot of fun to be around. And amazing in bed.
“I’ll let him in.”
“Should I stay here or? —” Violet taps her pencil on the table.
“I’ll bring him to you.”
“Okay.”
I rush down the hall and throw the door open. Sidney’s finger is poised over the doorbell. He’s wearing a pair of gray casual pants and a golf shirt that hugs his deliciously firm biceps. “Hey. Hi. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
His gaze drops to my feet and climbs my body on a slow, heated sweep. “Totally worth it.” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss. “Hi.”
I loop my arms around his neck. “Hi, yourself.”
“You look incredible in jeans.”
“You look incredible. Full stop.”
We grin at each other.
“Ready to go?” he asks, voice low and husky.
“I just need to grab my purse.” I swallow down my nerves. “And I thought maybe I could introduce you to Violet.”
His smile makes my heart skip a beat. “Yeah. Sure. That’d be great.”
“Okay. Great.” I nod compulsively and pat his chest. “Just be warned that Violet and I have the same lack of verbal filter.”
“Okay.” He follows me down the hall.
I clear my throat when I reach the kitchen, which is pointless because my heels announce me, anyway.
Violet is sitting at the kitchen table with her pencil poised between her fingers, her eyes on the doorway we’re now occupying.
“Violet, honey, I’d like you to meet Sidney. Sidney, this is my daughter, Violet,” I sweep out a hand like I’ve suddenly turned into Vanna White, but younger and with darker hair, and a lot shorter, with no sparkly dress.
He steps into the kitchen as Violet pushes her chair back. Unfortunately, neither of us is known for our stellar coordination, so her chair goes clattering to the floor and Violet goes down with it.
Sidney rushes around the table and helps her to her feet. I nab her glasses from the floor and pass them back to her.
“Are you okay?” Sidney asks.
“I’m fine. Embarrassed, but fine.” Violet’s neck turns red in patches. She holds out her hand. “Hi, it’s nice to meet your face in three-dimensions instead of your butt.” She slaps her hand over her eyes. “Oh my God. Please don’t break up with my mom because my mouth is stupid.”
Sidney chuckles. “I’m sorry our first introduction left such an unfortunate and lasting impression.”
Violet drops her hand. “It could’ve been worse. I could’ve seen your dangler and not your butt.” Her eyes bug out. “I’m sorry, Mom. So sorry. I’d like to say I’m not always like this, but that would be a lie. It calms down a little with subsequent interactions, though. People make me nervous, especially new people, and you’re a new people. Instead of losing my ability to speak, I word vomit the first thing that pops into my head. Maybe by interaction three or four I’ll just say normal things. It’s nice to meet you. Again, please don’t break up with my mom. She really likes you and this is the first time I’ve seen her this happy in like…I don’t know. I’m going to stop talking now.” She bites her lips together and her eyes dart briefly to me.
Thankfully, Sidney has spent enough time with me that Violet’s rant seems normal. “I’m glad to hear that your mom likes me and that I make her happy.”
“She had stars in her eyes for days after that morning delight,” Violet says, then gives me an imploring look. “You two should go. I’m at maximum capacity for embarrassment tolerance and I don’t think my word hole is going to stop with the truth vomit anytime soon.”