Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"Genetics?"

"Yeah." She takes a small bite of a strawberry. "There are a lot of openings in New York, Los Angeles, even Orange County." She looks up at me. "I haven't decided where I want to be."

I can hear the question in her voice. Where do you want me to be?

She presses her lips together. "The field is growing but it's still small. I want to make sure it's some place I can see myself for a long time."

"You can see yourself in Orange County?"

"I don't know. Maybe." She gnaws on her strawberry until her lips are red. "If Asher was still here or if you and I were together, it would be no question." Her words run together. "I mean, as much as I can't stand the whole Orange County superficiality, hair extensions and fake tits everywhere, I do love being in Huntington Beach. If I could live a few blocks from the ocean, that would really be amazing."

"Cali girl," I tease.

"Maybe I am." Her cheeks flush. Her eyes flare with nervousness as they catch mine. She stuffs a strawberry into her mouth and takes her time chewing it.

She's scared. I need to do something to fix that.

I make my voice soft. "I think about where I should be too."

"Yeah?"

"Only reason why I'm still in Orange County is 'cause Piper is there. Joel and Kit live in Los Angeles. It would make sense to move closer to them. I'll have to be in LA when we record, have to tour half the year, but the rest of the time…" I look Violet in the eyes. "I can be anywhere."

"Would you really move away to be with… with someone?"

"Would depend on the someone. And if she asked."

"Right, yeah. That's um, well, you know, it can be good to change things up. I like New York a lot. It's really alive and vibrant. You don't need a car. People don't give a fuck if you wear a black tutu or if you dye your hair purple, not that I've tried either, but I have seen it. You're so friendly. You could get to know people anywhere. But then your family is in southern California, so it might be a good idea to stay there." She catches herself babbling and shoves another strawberry into her mouth. When she's finally finished chewing, she speaks with a soft voice. "I… I think I'm going to take a nap. I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah."

She nods to the fruit bowl. "You can finish these." She scoops her things into her arms, slides into her bunk, and pulls her privacy curtain closed.

Joel clears his throat. "You want your turn, Ethan?"

I run my hand through my hair.

"You want it or not." He waves the controller.

"Yeah. Sure." It's four steps back to the couch. I take the controller, plop in the corner, and attempt to concentrate on the game.

After another round, Joel retires to his bunk to read.

Thankfully, Kit appreciates a good monster movie as much as I do. We watch The Thing, the remake. Violet would love this movie—it's all about people going crazy with suspicion and mistrust, like her favorite TV show, Battlestar Galactica.

I want to share it with her. I want to share everything with her. But now isn't the time. Something is bothering her. As much as I hate it, I have to give her space.

Violet stays in her bunk until well after sunset. She's quiet as she steps into the kitchenette and rifles through the fridge for something to eat. The thing is full of premade meals— Mal is the only one of us who can cook for shit. She grabs one and sticks it in the microwave.

Her eyes meet mine. She looks at me like she's searching for something. Whatever it is she wants, I want to give it to her.

But she doesn't want that. Her expression gets strained and awkward. She grabs her takeout container the second it's ready and slips back to her bunk.

She's avoiding me.

But why?

I give her time to finish her food, then I make my way to her bunk. She's propped up with a pillow behind her back and her e-reader in her hands.