Page 25 of Dangerous Encore

"Perfect." She looks to me. "But won't other people… notlikeit?"

"Maybe, but—" I motion to the mock up drawing sitting on thetable.

But Violet doesn't pickitup.

Hermomdoes.

Mary chuckles. "Oh." She turns to Violet with a sly smile. "I canseethat."

"What?" Violet shoots me awhat did youdolook.

Mary reads aloud from the note. "Vanilla on the bottom, because it will please the most people and we can dye it purple. Chocolate with mocha frosting in the middle. Because I always think of you as the girl who steals my coffee. And matcha on top. Because you deserve exactly what you want, and I know you like to beontop."

Violet turns bright red. "I, um, I don't, even if that's true. I mean, I like it, but I wouldn't even say… oh God." She swallows hard. "I guess this is what I deserve for teasingPiper."

I go to Violet and wrap my arms around her. "Youlikeit?"

She whispers into my ear, "I love it." She squeezes me tightly. "But I'm going to prove you wrong after Momleaves."

"Is that achallenge?"

"Yeah."

Fuck yes.Inod.

She steps back and motions to the bathroom. "Excuseme."

Mary waits until Violet closes the door to move closer. "The cake will beperfect."

"Ihopeso."

She motions to the slice of vanilla on vanilla. "You mind if I stealthisone?"

"Goforit."

She takes a seat at the table and takes a tiny bite. She motions to the seat acrossfromhers.

Okay. I take the seat. And, fuck it, I grab the slice of mocha onchocolate.

Mary takes a napkin and dabs her lip corners. "Ethan, I know Dan and I haven't always been as welcoming as we could have been. I'm sorryaboutthat."

Huh? She's staring at me with earnest eyes. Her voice is sincere. And it's Mary. The woman doesn't have an insincere bone inherbody.

"Thanks." I run my hand through my hair. I bite my tongue. This is fuckingweird.

"When the two of you were younger, I worried Violet would give up what she wanted for you. Even now. She loves you so much. I know she acts tough, but, deep down, she needs love. She needs acceptance. And you're the only person who has ever really given her that. She would do anythingforyou."

"I'm lucky tohaveher."

Mary nods. "When you have kids, you'll see. It's a scary world out there. All you want to do is protect them. Especially after Asher… I… I didn't think any of us would be happy again." She blinks back a tear. "What I want to say is, I can see that you make Violet happy. And that's the only thing that matters to me. Even if I worry about your schedule. It's her life. It's your life, bothofyou."

"Yeah."

"You're a sweet young man, Ethan. Dan and I are happy you're going to be a member of the family. You're always welcome with us. Anytime.” She places her palm on the back of my hand. Her green eyes—the same as Violet's—bore into mine. "Just promise you'll take careofher."

"Ofcourse."

She pulls back and wipes a tear with her thumb. I'm not sure how to react. I'm usually good with people, but Violet's mom is a whole other can ofworms.