9. Violet

9

VIOLET

It's been four glorious days of watching movies, eating, making love, and no stalker. I want to stay here forever. I don't care if I can never go back to my life. Being with Kane is where I want to be.

That's why I'm confused when he starts putting on his coat. "Are you leaving?"

"We need a few things from town, and we might get snow soon. I thought I'd go today and then we'd be set for a while."

He comes over to kiss me, but I hold out a hand to his chest to stop him. I stand in shock that he just thinks leaving without discussing it with me is okay. I might be overreacting, but I don't think I am.

"Were you going to tell me you were leaving?" I ask, tension filling my body as I try not to walk away.

"I didn't think about it. I'm sorry." He looks apologetic, but I'm not in the mood to forgive easily.

"Kane, you didn't think I might want to go with you or that I might be scared when you just disappeared. I know that you have a small understanding of how women think."

"I didn't think. That's the problem, right." He's now irritated. "You can't go with me. Someone might see you. I didn't plan to be gone long and I didn't know I had to check in with you for every little thing."

Tears well up in my eyes, making me angrier, "You don't have to check in with me. It's just being respectful. I could go for a ride in the car, even if I didn't get out. I know you're feeling trapped here with me and I'm sorry. You don't have to stay. Nothing's happened and I'm sure the stalker doesn't know where I am. I can be here alone."

"Fuck." Kane grabs me in his arms and holds me tight. "Gorgeous, I don't feel stuck here with you. I never want to leave this cabin, we can live here forever. Grow our own food. Make our own clothes or just walk around naked. I honestly didn't think about telling you and that was wrong. You're right that you can ride in the car with a hat and sunglasses on. We can get takeout and park somewhere for an in-the-car picnic. Maybe make out a little?"

I smile. "I would like to neck with you."

"Neck?"

"Isn't that what they used to call it? I saw it in a movie once." I quickly kiss his lips and rush off to grab a hat and my shoes.

He slowly follows me into the bedroom. "I am sorry for being an asshole."

"And I'm sorry for overreacting. I think we could probably both use some fresh air."

We grab our things and walk out to his car. He opens my door like a gentleman and even helps me with my seatbelt, stealing a kiss before shutting my door.

I'm smiling the whole way down the mountain. Watching Kane drive, I think of how different I feel than when I was going up the mountain just a few days ago. I'm still worried about the stalker, but I know that Kane will keep me safe.

"Let's eat and then we can get our groceries. We need some stuff that can't sit in the car."

"Sounds good to me."

We pull up to the drive-through. It's not a chain, but some kind of local burger place. As we go through, I pull my hat down so that no one will see me. I'm not so vain that I think everyone in the world knows who I am, but enough people do that someone might recognize me.

"I know the perfect place for us to go. It's secluded and we might just be able to get a little necking in before we have to go grocery shop."

He drives us to a small lake and pulls up in a small, secluded clump of trees. We eat while listening to the radio and making an official grocery list. It's stuff a normal couple would do. I can't even think of the last time I was responsible for getting groceries. Probably never.

"So, necking. Exactly what does that mean?" Kane asks, turning in his seat to face me.

"I don't really know. You are really stuck on it though, aren't you," I giggle. "I think it means kissing and probably nothing else. Not second or third base stuff."

Kane shakes his head. "Well, those old-time teenagers weren't having much fun, were they?"

"No, but it does seem sweet in a way. Having to sneak away for a kiss and dating. I've never done that."

"Never?" he asks.

"Nope, I started working on the television show as a teenager and then I've been booked and busy ever since. I don't take dates to events, it's too much pressure. I've just gone out in groups and dated that way. Never had someone I'd call a boyfriend."

"Hmm." He pushes his seat back as far as it will go and lifts my body across the center and into his lap. "I just might have to ask you out on an official date, and you can call me your boyfriend if you want to."

He kisses me, but I pull back.

"Really?"

He goes back to kissing me instead of answering. I like the kissing better anyway. I know I shouldn't get my hopes up about the future. The reasons that Kane and I can't be together still exist, but there are so many reasons he's perfect for me.

I need to talk to Zoe about what's happening between Kane and me, but if she doesn't approve will I pick my best friend or the man I can see living my life with?