Chapter 2

Violet's POV

James spends the entire afternoon avoiding me. I sit in the living room for two hours; he stays locked in his study for two hours. I head to the kitchen for water—the bathroom door clicks shut the second I walk in. By the time I finish my shower, he's already locked himself in his bedroom.

Light spills out from under his door.

I stand in the hallway, staring at that strip of light.

What's he doing in there?

Images flash through my head. My face burns.

No way.

Would he?

I raise my hand, fingers hovering in front of his door.

Should I knock?

I drop my hand. Forget it. I don't have the guts yet.

Back in my room, I lie in bed staring at the ceiling. For the first time in three years, I desperately want to know what he's doing in there.

My mind starts replaying scenes from the past three years. Things I thought I understood. Things that look completely different now.

James wakes up at six every morning. I thought he was just a workaholic, one of those early riser types. But actually? He's deliberately timing it to avoid me. By the time I come down for breakfast at seven-thirty, he's already gone, leaving breakfast on the table.

Three years. Every single day.

Then there were all those charity galas. I'd stand there in my dress, and men would come over. Chatting, flattering, handing out business cards. Normal networking stuff. But every time, James would suddenly appear beside me, face cold as ice. The men would take one look at his expression and make excuses to leave.

I thought I was embarrassing him, wasting his networking time.

Looking back now, that wasn't annoyance at all.

That was jealousy.

And those late-night sounds from his room. I thought he was on work calls.

Now...

I bury my face in my pillow.

God. How did he survive these three years?

I roll over, facing the wall. His room is right next door. Just one wall between us.

The thought makes my heart race.

What's he thinking right now? Is he thinking about me?

I close my eyes, a smile creeping onto my face.

James, you're screwed.

The next morning, James is already gone. Breakfast sits on the table. Eggs, bacon, toast, and a glass of warm milk.

I pick at my food with a fork, an idea suddenly forming.

I set down the fork and head upstairs to change.

A navy wrap dress hangs in my closet. Fitted at the waist, neckline neither too low nor too high. Professional yet feminine. I turn in front of the mirror.

Perfect.

I grab some random document from the study and head out.

James's company occupies a glass tower downtown. I push through the door. The receptionist looks up.

"Hi, who are you here to see?"

"James Hayes."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"I'm his wife."

"Okay, let me just..." Her voice cuts off. Her eyes go wide. "Wait, what?"

The receptionist stares, fumbling for the phone. I smile at her.

After all, this is my first time at his office. People nearby turn to stare.

Less than a minute later, the elevator opens. James practically runs out, panic written all over his face.

"Violet?" He rushes over. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Before I can answer, his voice explodes in my head.

Why is she here? Did something happen? Is she sick? Is there a problem at the bookstore? But she looks fine. She looks so good today. That dress... Fuck, what's that guy over there looking at? I'm gonna gouge his eyes out.

I hand him the folder. "You left this at home. Thought I'd bring it by."

James freezes, then takes it. He glances down, then back up at me. "Thanks. You didn't have to come all the way here."

Just a document? That's really all? Her smile is so beautiful...

I take a step closer. I can smell his cologne, faint and clean.

"I was in the area anyway." I look up at him. "Oh, and come home early tonight."

James's throat bobs. "Okay."

I rise onto my toes.

Before he can process what's happening, my lips press against his cheek. Gasps ripple through the lobby.

James goes completely rigid.

I feel his warmth, hear him hold his breath.

I step back, heart pounding. "Alright, I'll head out."

I turn and walk away. Almost running.

I don't dare look back at his face, don't catch any more of his thoughts. All I know is my face is burning and my heart feels like it might explode.

I push through the glass door. Cold air hits my face.

I take a deep breath.

I can't stop smiling.

Oh my god. What did I just do? I kissed him in front of all those people.

But... that felt amazing.

I pull out my phone and call my best friend.

"Hello?"

"Drop everything. We're going shopping."

"What? Now? Don't you have to watch the store?"

"My employee's there. Come on, this is important."

"Alright, alright. Usual place."

I hang up and glance back at the tower. The glass reflects sunlight, hiding what's inside.

I smile and pocket my phone.

Time to buy something exciting.

Let's see how much longer you can hold out.