Page 32 of Twisted Violet

Behind me, the apartment is quiet. Rome and Niko are still out, and Dallas just left to take Ollie out for a walk before dinner.

I shift my camera toward the stove. “Look, I’m making stir-fry.”

Stevie squints and cocks her head. “You’re cooking for them?”

I pick up the suspicion in her tone immediately.

“It’s therapeutic,” I say, tossing the wok one more time. “I get to control everything. The temperature. The flavor. How much garlic goes in.”

She smiles. “You always go overboard with the garlic.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

She watches me for a moment, expression unreadable. “You’re… doing okay?”

I nod. “Yup, never been better.”

It’s not a lie. I am feeling better than I have in a while, but after everything I’ve endured, I don’t know if I’ll ever be fully okay.

Before she can press any further, the elevator doors open. I glance up to see Rome stride in, loose hoodie slung over his frame, a drink carrier in one hand and a bakery bag in the other.

Without a word, he sets the milk tea down in front of me.

Strawberry jasmine.

“My favorite.” I say, smiling up at him. “How’d you know?”

Rome shrugs. “You only order it every time.”

“I’m not that predictable.”

He arches a brow. “You’re a creature of annoying habits.”

I swat at him. “Rude.”

He catches my hand midair, smirking. “Honest. And you love it.”

“I tolerate it.”

Rome notices my phone.

His smirk falters. “Is that Stevie?”

I grin and tilt the camera towards him. “Say hi.”

Stevie’s eyes narrow into tiny slits. “Rome.”

He gives a single chin lift. “Hey, Stevie.”

Stevie blinks like she’s trying to unsee something. “You bought my sister milk tea?”

He nods. “She’s nicer when she has sugar.”

“Uh-huh.”

There’s a pause, not a long one, but enough for me to feel the tension between them.

Rome turns back to me. “I’ll let you two catch up.”