The Partner Plot (The Greene Sisters, #2)

by Kristina Forest

In Xavier, Violet found what she hadn’t been able to find in anyone else. A kindred spirit, an understanding. A mutual support of each other’s desires and dreams. A feeling of being wholly accepted. They loved each other fiercely and wholeheartedly, which meant they had big breakups and even bigger makeups.

He smiled, gazing at her furious expression. “I’m gonna marry you one day.” Violet shook her head, fighting off the elation she felt. “We’d drive each other nuts.” “Some people would call that love, baby.” She snorted and rolled her eyes. “You are so cheesy.” “Your cheesy future husband,” he corrected.

“I’m not saying it will be easy, but we’ll be able to overcome whatever life throws at us. Because that’s what love is. I love you and you love me. I think it’s pretty simple, actually. I know we’re young and everything, but there’s no one else I want to do life with, Vi.”

The pain from her breakup with Xavier had almost ended her. For a long time, it felt as though someone had died. The loss of Xavier’s presence in her life had been so soul crushing, she’d feared she’d never be the same. But eventually, the tears stopped and the pain dulled.

berth,

But if I’ve learned anything from teaching high school, it’s that we’re our most natural, raw selves as teenagers, and over time we either expand on those aspects of our personalities or we fight to cover them up. There’s a lot we need to catch up on, but I know you, and you know me too.”

“Our marriage might be fake and temporary,” he continued, “but I hope we can give this thing between us a try for real, because . . .”

Yes assess assess clear communication!!!!

He paused once more, fear causing him to hesitate. Violet blinked, waiting for him to finish his sentence. If he wanted a chance with her, he’d have to plainly lay it all on the line.

“Because,” he said, finding his courage, “I can’t bear the thought ...

“The truth is that you scare me.” Xavier froze, letting his hand drop away from her. “I scare you?” She shook her head, seeing that he didn’t completely understand her. “What I mean is . . . I’m afraid of who I’ll become if I let you in again.”

I don’t regret loving you the way that I did, because very few people get to experience that kind of love. But I don’t know if I can go through it again because I’m afraid you’ll hurt me just like before.” Quietly, she added, “And this time I might not survive it.”

I told you that breaking up with you was one of my biggest regrets, but that wasn’t the whole truth. It is my biggest regret, full stop.

Vulnerability!!!

“On paper, we don’t have a lot in common,” he said. “That’s true. But I’m twenty-nine. I’m not a kid anymore. I know the importance of what we have, and what we can be. Maybe at first glance we’re different.” He lifted his hand and lightly pressed it over her heart. “But here, we’re the same. I’ve spent nine years trying to fill the gap that you left behind, but I can’t replace you and I don’t want to. I wouldn’t make the same mistake and risk losing you again.”

She could live without him. But she realized then that given the choice, she’d rather have him be part of her life.

. but I want to try with you. I really do.” “Me too.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m also gonna try my best. But one thing I know is that I won’t break your heart again, Vi. I swear on everything.”

She gazed at him, simultaneously seeing the magnetic boy she’d fallen in love with long ago and the grounded man who captivated her now.

She loved the way he touched her with such reverence, like she was cherished.

“I love you,” he said quietly. “I never stopped.”

She did know that he still loved her. In hindsight, she’d known it the minute they’d run into each other at the hotel lobby in Vegas. His love for her had been clear in his eyes. It had been in his fierce hug. And it had been present in the way he’d cared for her while she was sick, and how he so easily went along with her lie about being married. “I check your Instagram every now and then to make sure you’re doing okay,” he continued. “I’ve been doing that since we broke up.”

“I love you too.” Because here and now she could finally admit to herself that she’d never stopped loving him either. It felt so good to voice this truth, like her heart, which had been encased in fear and doubt, was finally allowed to be free. She didn’t have to decide whether or not she’d give her heart to Xavier, when it had been in his possession all along.

“Ay,” Angel said, bringing her attention back to him. “You’re coming to my show in LA next week, right? Can you bring your sister?” Violet gave him a look. Last summer, she’d tried to hook Angel up with Lily, but then Lily had met Nick and the rest was history. “Lily has a boyfriend now.” “I know that.” He quirked an eyebrow. “I’m not talking about Lily.” “Then . . .” Violet paused, frowning as realization dawned. “You mean Iris?” Angel nodded. His lips formed a slow, coy smile. “We talked a little at your anti-wedding party last year. I felt a vibe. A real one.”

acquiesced.

dejection

“Sometimes you fall in love with a person, and regardless of where life takes you, your heart refuses to let go,”

They didn’t need to live together, and they didn’t need to have similar lifestyles, at least not right now. What mattered was if they wanted to do life together, side by side. They’d get through this rough patch because they loved each other.

Their love was enough to stand the test of time through almost a decade spent apart. Their love was more than enough.

Their relationship wasn’t perfect, but it was real.

I let my insecurities get in the way of seeing what really matters with us, and I’m sorry for that. I love you more than anything. You could work in Antarctica for a year and we’d figure it out. I have that much faith in us.”

“I’ve never loved anyone the way that I love you,” he said. “There’s nobody else out there for me, Vi. I know we have a lot going on right now and the timing isn’t the best, but one day in the future, I still want to marry you.” “I want that too,” she said, hugging him. “I love you so much.”

“I love you like people in this town love to gossip.”