To Make Matters Worse

by Elle Rivers

It was a compliment, but he couldn’t exactly call her the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen without making it weird.

Because you were there. Because, from the moment I met you, a part of me was always aware of everything you were. Even when I despised you, you occupied my mind in ways I could never comprehend, and now that we’re here, I want you to take more of me.

Violet smiled. “How did you know exactly what I needed to hear?” “Lucky guess.” Because it’s you.

I did a fraction of the work you did, and I offered. So let me take care of you.”

“It’s not different. I’ve seen you. All of you, and I’m still here. It doesn’t matter how long we’re stuck together; I’ve already seen it.”

“There’s not much I wouldn’t do to make you feel better.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I mean it. No one has ever done all this for me before.” That was a shame. Violet deserved the world.

He had been trying to deny it, and maybe it would have been better if he could, but while dancing with her on a street corner, listening to music he didn’t care for, having the time of his life, he knew one thing. Charlie was in love with Violet. He was so in love with her it wasn’t funny.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m not going to act on it.” Violet’s brain grinded to a halt. “Wait, you didn’t even deny—” “I do. Have feelings for you, I mean.”

“Right. Friends. What else would we be?” So much more, her heart screamed. You could be so much more.

For a moment, she realized he could easily ruin her with words, but when she gazed up at him, he was looking at her like she was art.