This one too.
She looks up at me. "When did you get it?"
"The summer after you left." The day she started school in New York. Yeah, I'm a creepy stalker for knowing that, but it's not like I had to go out of my way. She posted it all over her social media.
It doesn't take a detective to put the pieces together. I didn't think now that I've lost Violet forever, I better get a tattoo proclaiming that my heart is locked forever. But, deep down, I knew it was for her.
She presses her lips to my chest. "I like it. It's sexy. But I'm sure you get that a lot."
"Mostly I get oh, baby, do you think I have the key to your heart?"
"And that makes you rock hard?" she teases.
"Exactly." I run my fingers through her hair. This—Violet in my arms—this feels right. Need to keep her here.
She rests her head on my chest. Her fingers go to my right arm. She traces the lines of my ink—an ocean-themed sleeve. "When did you get this?"
"When I got my first five-figure royalty check."
She laughs. "Sounds like you. At this point, you probably laugh at five-figure checks."
"Barely worth the pain in my hand from endorsing them."
"Well, when you get that many of them." She smiles as her eyes find mine. "Do we have time for breakfast?"
"Not if you want to grab a matcha latte."
She blushes. "That's not even a decision."
"I'll make you eggs on the bus."
"You cook now?"
"I can make eggs, pasta, and grilled cheese."
She smiles. "Learn to make guacamole and you can feed me forever."
Fuck, I'd like to. I smile back. "Teach me."
"We're on the bus all day tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then tomorrow." She drags herself out of bed. Her eyes rake over me. She takes me in slowly, like she's savoring every second of it. Her tongue slides over her lips. "How much time do we have?"
"Half hour."
"Oh." She finds her underwear and bra on the ground. "I guess I better change."
"We can fuck on the bus if you want."
Her cheeks flush. "That's not going to endear me to Mal or Kit."
"They fuck on the bus all the time."
"Still." She changes into her clothes and zips her boots. "I'll grab you a coffee. Still dark roast, splash of milk?"
I fight my urge to smile. She remembers. "Almond milk so you can drink half."