Page 10 of Twisted Violet

“Hey, my head is perfectly proportioned to my body; you’re the one freaking out because your heart finally did something human and now you don’t know what to do with yourself.”

I shove a few slices of bread into the toaster. “It did not-”

The smell of something burning hits me and I turn to find the bacon burning and thick smoke pluming off the pan.

“Fuck,” I mutter, yanking the pan off the burner and tossing it into the sink.

Dallas chuckles as he walks up behind me to have a look at the aftermath. “Pretty sure she’d prefer her food not incinerated, but you do you.”

I sigh. “I’ll go pick something up.”

“You should grab donuts. The pink ones with sprinkles are her favorite. Oh, and don’t forget donut holes. For me, not for her,” he adds with a wink.

I don’t answer. I just grab my keys and flip him off as I head for the door.

“Proud of you, man.” He calls out after me, making me pause. “For once, you didn’t let the job hold you back.”

I shake my head and push the door open.

The cold air hits me like a reset, but his words linger in the back of my mind.

Ididn’tput the job first last night, and maybe there’ll be hell to pay for that.

But right now? It feels worth it.

Because for a few hours…

I had her.

THREE

VIOLET

I wake up warm.

That’s the first thing that registers. I feel the heat of a body pressed against my back, and the weight of the thick comforter tucked tightly around me. But when I open my eyes, I’m all alone.

I sit up slowly, brushing the lavender tangles from my face, and scan the room. Dallas is gone. So is the plate of food he brought for me.

As if on cue, my stomach growls.

I shift to the edge of the bed and squint in the low light. Ireallydon’t want to get up right now. But at the same time, there’s a weird sense of calm in my chest, like maybe I cried out just enough grief last night to function.

Go me.

I throw on an oversized hoodie and shuffle toward the kitchen like a half-dead raccoon looking for snacks.

I don’t know what I’m expecting to find, but when I turnthe corner and see Dallas leaning against the counter alone, sipping coffee, I feel… uneasy.

Dallas has always been annoyingly attractive. Like the makes you roll your eyes before you realize you’ve been staring at him, kind of attractive. With his tan skin, effortless charm, and those stupid little dimples that show up every time he smiles. But after last night, it’s like I’m seeing him clearly for the first time.

He looks up as I step into the room, and his face softens.

“Hey, you.” He says, taking a sip of his coffee. “Sleep okay?”

“Defineokay,” I mutter, rubbing my puffy eyes.

He gives me a smirk, like that’s the answer he expected, and sets down his mug. “Well, at least you got some sleep.”