“Are you sure this looks okay?”
“You look beautiful.”
Glancing over her shoulder, Violet frowned at Katie. “Are you just saying that so I’ll shut up and leave?”
“No, of course not.”
“Maybe I should try on the red dress again. I think if I changed to the silver necklace…”
“Oh, my God! Enough!” Katie cried, jumping to her feet. “You’ve tried on five different dresses already and they all looked fantastic on you! What are you freaking out about?”
“It’s a wedding and I’m meeting Hunter’s entire family today! Those are all perfectly legit reasons to freak out!”
Groaning, Katie sat back down on the bed. “Okay, fine.” She sighed. “What’s wrong with this one you have on? It’s simple and elegant and perfect for an outdoor wedding.”
Studying herself in the mirror, this one was probably her favorite–navy blue, strapless, and hit right at the knees. It showcased her body without being too tight or revealing. Plus, the multi-colored beaded necklace she purchased in town was gorgeous. Glancing down at her feet, she smiled at her recently pedicured toes and knew the pop of coral would look perfect with the sandals she would wear.
“Okay, fine. This one really does work.” She faced Katie. “What if…what if they don’t like me?”
Wide-eyed, her friend was on her feet again and hugged her. “They are going to love you,” she said fiercely. “How could they not? You’re amazing.”
Sitting back on the bed, side by side, Violet wished she felt that positive.
“Do you remember when we first met?” Katie asked.
Violet looked at her like she was crazy. “Of course I do. It was the day I was placed in the Michaels’ home.”
“I was sitting on my bed reading, and you walked in and looked so mature and confident,” Katie said. “All the other kids I had roomed with would mock my love of reading and I just expected you to do the same. But you sat with me and asked about the book and then told me about some of your favorites.”
Violet smiled at the memory. “Do you remember going to the library together and we would have our own book club to discuss what we were reading?”
Beside her, Katie nodded. “Remember when Morgan introduced us to reading Harlequin romances?”
“That was a game-changer.” Laughing, she shook her head. “Thank you for putting a good memory in my head, but…what does that have to do with today?”
“Vi, you have always been a confident and fun person. You were almost an Olympic athlete, and you run a very successful business. Why are you doubting yourself so hard right now?”
Her eyes closed, and she let out a long breath. “It would kill me to find myself in love with Hunter and then lose him because…because his family didn’t like me. You know he’s close with them and it’s not inconceivable that he’d listen to their opinion.” Eyes open, she looked at Katie. “What if I’ve let myself truly believe there’s someone who genuinely wants me–loves me–and then…they send me away?”
Katie immediately began to cry–the tears streaming down her face. Taking both of Violet’s hands in hers, she squeezed them. “You listen to me, Violet Drake. No one knows better than me how unfair life has been to you. But after all these years, you need to realize that your parents…that was about them and who they were as people! Not you! Their behavior isn’t your fault!”
“But…”
“No! There're no buts! Some people are weak, Violet. They can’t handle responsibility, or they struggle with their own demons, or they are just genuinely selfish people who aren’t meant to be parents. I hate how that happened to you! I hate how their selfish behavior has made you doubt yourself! But don’t let it ruin what you have right here, right now with Hunter!”
She let out a shaky breath. “Deep down, I know that. But…it’s hard to not have a knee-jerk reaction; to not feel like at any moment, things are going to change and he’s going to decide he made a mistake. That I’m a mistake.”
Now she was crying, and her makeup was running down her cheeks, and she couldn’t stop it even if she wanted to. Right now, she needed to cry–needed to make this admission out loud so maybe, just maybe, she’d have the release of all her pent-up fear and anxiety.
Reaching over, Katie hugged her, and Violet wrapped her arms around her and held her tight. She had no idea how long they stayed like that, but when they finally pulled apart, it was Katie who wiped away her tears before cupping her face in her hands.
“Never forget how awesome and special you are and never let anyone make you feel like you don’t deserve the best in this world.”
“I’ll try,” she whispered.
“Alrighty then.” And on her feet, Katie scanned the room. “Now we have some serious damage control because your makeup is completely ruined, so let’s get to work!”
And for the next hour, Violet did her best to calm her nerves and relax.
Hunter had volunteered to pick her up, but she knew he had things to do with his family and didn’t want to be in the way. It meant she was driving herself over to his sister Scarlett’s place and potentially embarrassing herself.
Think positive!
When she pulled up the long driveway that led to a spectacular home, her nerves kicked into high gear. This wasn’t a small, quaint home like Hunter’s; this place was easily a million-dollar house!
And now I might throw up. Awesome.
Frantically pulling her phone from her purse, she texted Hunter to let him know she was here. Hopefully he’d come outside and walk in with her and tell her that maybe his sister and brother-in-law had won the lottery or won the house in an HGTV contest or something.
Parking the car, she took several deep breaths while she waited for Hunter. She was so focused on her breathing and not vomiting that she never heard him approach until he knocked on her window. Her loud scream should have sent everyone within a five-mile radius running, but luckily didn’t.
Opening the door for her, Hunter held out his hand. He looked ridiculously handsome. Her hand shook as she placed it in his and climbed from the car.
“Wow,” he said, kissing her cheek. “We almost look like we coordinated this.”
“What? Oh!” Violet realized he was in navy trousers with a matching vest and a crisp white shirt. “I’m sorry! I should go home and change! I don’t want to take away from the bridal party and…”
Pulling her in close, he chuckled. “You’re not taking anything away from the bridal party. The girls are wearing pink, so…relax.”
She wanted to burrow in close and stay like that for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, it wasn’t realistic. Pulling herself together, she leaned back and smiled up at him. “Okay then. Let’s do this.”
But Hunter didn’t move. If anything, she seemed to hug her a little tighter. “First, how did things go with your tour group people? Did they book?”
She loved how he remembered. “Yes. There was a lot of back and forth, but we managed to book two groups of forty to do the Alaska package that includes whale watching, a cruise, and a tour by train. It’s going to be fabulous, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, so I hope they all love it.”