5. Violet

5

VIOLET

I might never leave this cabin. Being here feels like being in another world. I change into a sweatshirt and some leggings, wishing I'd packed some cuter clothes. If I'd known I'd be sharing the cabin with a tall, gorgeous man, I would've at the very least packed actual pants. I only have leggings and pajamas in my bag.

I open the top drawer on the dresser to start unpacking, but there are already clothes in the drawer. Maybe the owner of the cabin leaves things for when they visit. I open the second drawer and find it empty. I put everything away and move to the closet to hang up the few things that need to be hung. More clothes are in the closet, they are big compared to mine. Probably something that would fit Kane.

I quickly unpack the rest of my things in the bathroom, brush my teeth, and pull my hair up in a bun. It will dry weirdly, but honestly, I won't wear it down so it doesn't matter. I look at my makeup but decide not to put anything on. I'm not here to flirt with Zoe's brother or care what he thinks about the way I look.

I quickly make my way out of the room and head toward the kitchen. I stop in the doorway and watch as Kane moves around the stove. It looks like he's making grilled cheese and some kind of soup.

"You can come all the way into the room," he says without turning around. "Can you get the bowls out of the cabinet?"

"How did you know I was there?" I grab the bowls and put them on the table next to the plates that were already out.

"Marine, remember?" He turns and smiles as he puts grilled cheese on each of our plates. "We're trained to notice things."

"That makes sense." I will not admit that I thought for a second that maybe he had just known I was there because of some connection between us like in a romance novel.

He ladles the tomato soup into our bowls and sits down next to me. We both eat for a few minutes in silence. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I sat down. I ate breakfast this morning, but that was hours ago.

Since the stalker started sending me things, my appetite has disappeared, and I've lost some weight. I think it's another problem they were having on set but didn't want to talk to me about it. Continuity matters and I've been all over the place.

"How did you become an actress?" He asks after a few minutes.

"My high school drama teacher asked me to audition. I grew up in Malibu, my dad is a screenwriter, so everyone I knew wanted to be a model or actress."

"And you didn't?"

"No." I shake my head, thinking about teenage Violet and her big plans.

"What did you want to do instead?"

"Promise you won't laugh," I plead, and he nods. "I wanted to be a psychologist."

"Why would I laugh at that?" He looks at me with genuine interest. It's been so long since someone other than my family and Zoe have looked at me like they care what I'm talking about.

"Um, because no one expects me to have wanted a different life. Especially one that would've had me in school for a long time. Most people just think I'm a nepo baby airhead who got my first job because of my dad and my boobs." My face heats as I finish talking and I see Kane quickly glance at my chest and then quickly back up to my eyes. There's a slight blush spreading across his face at being caught.

"So, you auditioned because of a teacher?"

"Yes, it was for a guest spot on a television show. I wasn't doing well in the class and Mr. Renyolds offered me extra credit if I auditioned." I smile remembering how upset I was about going to the audition. "I went and used my mother's maiden name so that no one could connect me with my dad. I got a call back and then they offered me the part of the youngest sister."

"Wow, that's amazing."

"I didn't think so. I wanted to turn it down, but my mom convinced me to do it. She said that I'd regret it if I didn't. I had to scramble for an agent, luckily my family knew several and a lawyer. The show took off and I realized that I loved acting."

"Do you really love it?" he asks.

"Of course," I answer with no hesitation, but is it the truth?

"What about you? Were you born to be a Marine?"

"No, I got into some trouble and had to join," he answers without any shame. "I was so angry at the time, but it was the best thing that could've ever happened."

"I think things work out the way they're supposed to, don't you?" I ask.

He slowly nods as our eyes lock on each other. Could us being here together be something that was always supposed to happen? I search his face for the answer, but I don't see it before he looks away.

"I'll clean this up. You go pick a movie or something for us to watch." He starts collecting the dishes.

"I can do it since you cooked," I offer taking my bowl and empty plate over to the sink. "It's just rinsing things out and loading the dishwasher."

"Why don't we do it together, so we get it done faster." He sets the rest of the dirty dishes to one side of the sink and opens the dishwasher, holding out his hand for the already rinsed off dish to put in.

I smile at him and get to work. We work together in silence, and it feels like the perfect end to our dinner. My stomach is full, and my heart feels happy in his presence, but there's a part of me waiting for the shoe to drop. He hasn't asked about the stalker yet, and I know it's only a matter of time before he does. I hate to ruin what's become a great night, but reality is what it is. Kane wouldn't be here with me if it weren't for the stalker and once they've caught him, Kane will leave, and I'll go back to being alone with my scripts.