Violet cocked her head to the side. “Not really. I mean…once I realized you were in love with Morgan Lucas, I pretty much knew we were done.”
Luke felt his eyes widen. He began stammering. “W-what makes you think that?”
She smiled at him. “When we attended the event a few weeks ago at Savannah House. I saw the way you were looking at Morgan. There’s no doubt in my mind it was a look of extreme love. I’m surprised the whole room didn’t notice. You were practically glowing.”
Luke steepled his fingers in front of him. There was no point in denying it. “You’re right. I am in love with Morgan.” Luke ran his hand over his face and let out a sigh. “Violet, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
Violet reached out and grabbed his hand. Tears misted in her eyes. “Don’t be sorry for loving someone. I hate to break it to you, Luke, but I’m not in love with you either.” She let out a chuckle. “I think both of us have been enjoying each other’s company while soothing our damaged hearts. Now at least I know who damaged yours.”
Luke blew out a deep breath. “No offense, but I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that you don’t love me.”
They both burst out laughing.
“Although you are super loveable,” Violet reassured him.
“At least someone thinks so,” Luke muttered.
Violet leaned forward across the table. “Hey. Whatever pulled the two of you apart doesn’t change what you feel. And from what I observed, Morgan is in love with you also. Trust me. It was written all over her face when she looked at you. If I didn’t like both of you so much, it would have been painful to watch.” Violet winced. “I hope that someday someone will look at me like that.”
“I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t. You’re the whole package, V. You must know that.” He reached out and gripped her hand tightly.
“Thanks for saying so. Sometimes I get so wound up by the mistakes of the past, that I forget there’s a whole future out there.”
“So, where does this leave us?” Luke asked. Although he wasn’t in love with Violet, he did love her as a friend. She had helped him get through loneliness, despair and heartache. He prayed they would always be friends, although he would never force friendship on Violet if she chose to walk away.
She grinned at him. “It leaves us as the best of friends. I’m going to be cheering you on from the sidelines. Please don’t disappoint me, Luke. Life is way too short to mess around when it comes to love. You stepping out on that limb of faith will inspire me to do the same. I don’t know what happened between you and Morgan. Frankly, it’s none of my business. But I do know that love is worth fighting for.”
Warmth filled Luke’s insides at Violet’s generosity. “So I assume you’ll be fighting for love yourself?”
“I need to believe in love again. I need to know that it’s out there somewhere waiting for me to embrace it.” She fiddled with her fingers. The waiter came back just at that moment and placed the appetizer down on the table.
Violet ducked her head and avoided eye contact with him. “Something happened to me. I don’t really talk about it, but it was pretty epic.” She blew out a ragged breath. “It was an absolute nightmare, but I lived through it. But it changed me. I wa
nt to thank you for your friendship, Luke. You provided me with laughter and someone I could trust while I healed.” She swung her gaze up and locked eyes with him. “That is not a small thing.”
Anger flared inside him at the notion that someone had hurt Violet. Badly. He prayed that love would find her, and that she would be fully and completely healed.
“You’re giving me way too much credit, Violet. But, if in some small way I helped you through that horrible experience, I feel blessed to have been there for you.”
Violet shook her head. “This is pathetic. We’re breaking up and being way too civil about it.” She darted a glance around the restaurant. “How about if I smash my wine glass on the floor and throw a tantrum?”
Luke threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Only if you allow me to stand up and accuse you of dumping me in a very loud voice.” He dramatically put his hand on his forehead. “Oh the inhumanity!”
Both launched into hysterics, baffling the waiter who arrived with their entrees with a perplexed expression stamped on his face. He gingerly placed the plates down on the table in front of them and then quickly disappeared.
Luke reached for his wine glass and lifted it in the air. “Let’s make a toast.”
Violet grabbed her glass and raised it up.
“To love. May we both settle for nothing less than love everlasting.”
As they clinked glasses, Luke uttered a silent prayer that Morgan’s feelings for him were half as strong as his own. If so, anything was possible.
***
Morgan sat in her chaise longue chair, bundled up in her cozy robe and sipping hot cocoa with cinnamon as the cool night air floated through the open window. One of the things Morgan loved best about Savannah weather were the seasonable temperatures, even in November.
It allowed for pleasant weather all year round. Although she had a book propped open at her side, Morgan hadn’t read a single sentence. Her thoughts were consumed by Luke.