Page 120 of The Havenport Collection

Callum

T oday had been one of the best days in recent memory.

Getting to hang out with Violet and her kids was an unexpected treat.

I had a blast with the boys, playing games and running around on the town common.

Declan was such a good sport to come to my rescue, I definitely owed him a beer.

Those poor kids looked so sad not to have their dad there to do this stuff. It broke my heart a little.

It also made me feel for Violet. I knew how hard she worked to be everything and do everything for her kids.

She put on a brave face, but I could tell she was hurt.

After we finished the three-legged race, sweaty, out of breath, and laughing, she beamed at me, and it lit me up inside.

I would do anything to get another one of those smiles—truly genuine, truly grateful, and truly beautiful.

“Here,” Declan said, handing me another beer.

I nodded at him. “Thanks, man.”

“You okay?”

I nodded again while watching Violet on the edge of the yard. She was laughing and chatting and looking luminous, as usual. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. I was so glad Astrid invited her tonight. Having her here, surrounded by my family and friends, just felt right.

“Are you still upset about the wedding invitation?” Declan asked cautiously.

“Not really. I decided to go, actually.”

Declan coughed, choking on his beer. “What? Why?”

I patted him on the back and shrugged. “Because fuck them. That’s why.”

“Wow. Okay.”

“Yup. Violet convinced me. And she’s right.

They are the assholes here. And I’m going to show up and have a good time and move on with my life.

” The more I thought about it, the more I knew it was the right thing to do.

I couldn’t sit around torturing myself by stalking their social media accounts and being resentful forever.

This way, I could truly be rid of all my divorce baggage.

Declan nodded. “Violet, huh?” He smirked into his beer. I knew where this was going, and I had to nip it in the bud. As much as she intrigued me, she had made it clear she was not interested in a relationship. And I didn’t blame her, after what her ex-husband did to her and her kids.

“It’s not like that. She’s a friend. A good friend. And she’s a damn good life coach.” And it was true. Yes, she was a bit scattered and always insisted on looking on the bright side, but it helped. Her positive attitude helped shine a light into my dark and dusty corners, and I was better for it.

“Okay, bro. Whatever you say.” Declan held his hands up in surrender, walking back toward Astrid who was waving to him.

Violet was still just a friend. Despite my confusing feelings and near constant attraction to her, I knew we had to stay that way.

I was going to enjoy this party and her friendship.

It wasn’t often that all the people I cared about were gathered in one place.

Kids ran around everywhere, eating ice cream and chasing Ginger, Declan’s standard poodle, around the yard.

Liam and Cecelia were curled up on a lawn chair, and my parents were around, feeding all the kids more sugar.

Astrid was refilling drinks while Declan built a fire for s’mores.

I still couldn’t believe I was standing at Declan’s house.

He never invited anyone over. Yet here he was, hosting a fireworks viewing party for our family and friends.

Astrid had really worked wonders on him.

The house sat up on a bluff overlooking the ocean.

It had a large yard framed by oak trees that provided just enough shade.

The sun had set, and we had lit the mosquito torches to keep the bugs away.

It was the perfect viewing spot for the annual fireworks display.

I owed Astrid a box of designer donuts for inviting Violet tonight.

It had taken some convincing, but Violet agreed to come.

And I’m so glad she did. She had spent most of the night chatting with Cece and Nora, and I assumed Cece was helping her with some marketing ideas for the farm.

It was good to see her out and about, her happy smile dancing across her lips as she chatted and hugged half of Havenport.

There was just something about her, something so light and fun, that I wanted for myself.

Most days I carried this heavy weight around on my chest. The weight of my expectations, the weight of the life I wanted and never achieved, the weight of years of hard work in a career I wasn’t passionate about, and the weight of loneliness as I watched my brothers find the loves of their lives and become better men for it.

But when Violet was around? The weight disappeared, and everything felt easier. I could just live.

I was standing on the deck, nursing my beer and peering out at the sun as it disappeared over the horizon. Suddenly, the atmosphere around me shifted, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I looked to my right to see Violet smiling up at me.

“Thank you for making us come tonight.”

“You’re welcome. The boys seem to be having fun.” I gestured to where Violet’s sons were playing some convoluted game with Derek and Emily’s kids on the lawn.

“They love it here. What a spot. Did Declan really build this house?”

“He is really particular, so I doubt he would live anywhere he didn’t build himself.”

She smiled. “That doesn’t surprise me.” She stepped up next to me on the deck and gently bumped my hip. “But I mean it. This has been a lot of fun, and I wouldn’t have come if you hadn’t begged me.”

“I didn’t beg,” I quipped. That was a lie. I had definitely begged a little bit.

“You totally begged!” She winked at me, and I almost choked on my beer. I loved seeing the flirty, sexy side of her.

“I did not. I just emphatically suggested you join the party. Trust me, this is the first one Declan has ever thrown, and I just wanted someone else to bear witness.”

“I appreciate it. I need to get out more. It’s good for the boys, and it’s good for me.”

I couldn't help but smile. She looked so beautiful, framed by a vibrant sunset.

Her hair spilled down her back and seemed to glow in this light.

She wore a loose sundress with tiny straps that showed off her neck and shoulders.

She had several necklaces layered on top of each other in a casual way that was totally Violet. She was radiantly beautiful.

She gave me a shy smile. “I owe you a thank you for this afternoon. The way you stepped in with the boys. I am so grateful.”

“I had a blast with them. They are great kids.”

She started to get choked up, and I put my arm around her shoulders. She was tiny but fit so perfectly tucked against me. “You are doing an incredible job with them, Violet. You can’t beat yourself up over every three-legged race that comes along.”

She sniffled and looked up, gently wiping away a tear with her index finger.

“Thanks. They love you, by the way. You are their new hero.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Yup. Well, Declan is Sam’s hero. But Henry thinks you’re awesome.”

“I’ll take it. Declan is objectively cooler than me.”

“Don’t say that. I think you’re really cool.”

“Do you?” I asked. I stepped aside, putting some distance between us. I worried that if I didn't, I would just start kissing her and never stop.

“Yup. And I have much better taste than a five-year-old.” She beamed at me, and I felt my stomach unclench. I would do anything for another one of those smiles.

I returned my gaze to the ocean to avoid staring too long. Something about her just made me feel at peace. We stood companionably for a few minutes, watching the kids. I should say something. But I was overwhelmed with a sense of calm and a deep desire not to ruin whatever was happening between us.

“Here,”—I beckoned her closer—“you have a little something.” I gently wiped the marshmallow off her cheek, and she giggled. Declan had built a massive fire, and everyone was roasting marshmallows.

“It’s been years since I had a s’more,” she said. “These are so good.”

I resisted the urge to lick my finger, instead finding a napkin. But touching her made me burn. Even with the cool ocean breeze, it felt like every cell in my body was lit up.

I didn’t understand these feelings. I had plenty of experience with women, but no one ever made me feel so many conflicting things simultaneously.

“It’s starting!” someone shouted.

The kids all climbed up on the deck to have the best view as the fireworks began to light up the night sky. No matter how old I got, I would never not love fireworks in the summer. It was one of life’s simple joys and never failed to make me happy.

I looked over at Violet, who was standing on the edge of the grass, looking up with wonder. The fireworks illuminated her face, making her look like the most beautiful, wild angel. And I was overcome.

Maybe it was the beer, or the heat, or the delicious brisket Declan had made, but I found myself walking toward her with a purpose.

I put my arms around her shoulder and slowly led her to the grove of oak trees at the edge of the property.

She was silent as we walked, but I saw her chest heaving.

When we were in a secluded spot, I looked overhead at the fireworks.

“They are beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful,” I replied. Was that the best I could do?

She smiled at me, not her usual smile, but a sly, sexy one, that felt like it was just for me. “You’re not too bad yourself.”

I drew her closer to me, our chests nearly touching as I gazed into those chocolate-brown eyes.

“So are you going to kiss me?” she asked softly, tilting her head up toward me.

What are you doing, dumbass? Kiss her. Erase the memory of your cheesy lines and go for it.

Slowly, I cupped her cheek while wrapping one arm around her waist. I leaned down and gently brushed my lips against hers.

It took every ounce of self-control I had not to devour her.

But this felt so right. She wrapped her arms around my neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed me back. I felt the earth tilt on its axis.

I pulled back and stared at her. She bit her bottom lip, and I momentarily debated how quickly I could get her back to my apartment.

She pulled me down again, and this time it was not so gentle.

Her hands roamed all over my chest as mine traveled down to her plump ass.

She opened deeper for me, intensifying the kiss, and I could feel my erection up against her stomach.

She wasn’t passive. She was giving as good as she got, and it was such a turn-on.

Who knew that underneath the earth mother exterior was a fiery sex goddess?

We kissed and groped like teenagers while fireworks exploded above us, lighting up the night sky.

Until we heard a crunching, crashing noise. “Mom!” a little voice yelled.

We broke apart suddenly as a child came through the trees. I turned around, not wanting to traumatize the poor child with my visible erection.

“Mom. Aunt Rose said you were back here.” He was out of breath and had chocolate smeared all over his face.

Violet looked dazed but instantly snapped back into mom mode. “What’s up, Henry?” She bent down to his eye level.

“Sam threw up. He ate, like, twenty marshmallows and just puked in Mr. Quinn’s bushes. It was super gross.”

“Crap,” she uttered, adjusting her sundress. She looked back at me with a wistful smile, before taking Henry’s hand and heading back to the party.

I stood for a second, processing what had just happened.

I had just kissed Violet Thompson. Again. Exactly twenty years after our first kiss under these same fireworks.

And just like last time, I was completely and totally lovestruck.