Chapter 3
"Peter, I forgive you." She repeated, standing up. She took a few steps in his direction and then stopped. "I know what it is like to be alone. You reach out to anyone for comfort."
"That is what you think happened here?" he asked, his voice steady.
"I want you to tell me what happened here. All this time you have been pushing me out. Was it because you were letting her in?"
"Violet has always been there for me. She is the one person in this world that I can talk to."
"I used to be that person…" she said, looking at her feet.
"Who am I supposed to talk to when you're gone? You are never here Meg."
"I can be here."
"You hate it here. You said it yourself, you're bored." He sighed and turned away.
"So that's it? She's here. I'm not. That's it?" She grabbed his arm, forcing him to turn to her. "You go to her when I'm not here?"
"No. It's not like that. "
She turned away, running her fingers through her hair.
"So what then? What happened?"
"I didn't mean for it to happen this way," he said turning her around to face him. "It just did."
"That's your explanation?"
"I can't think of any other way to say it. I'm so confused Meg. I've never felt this way."
"I thought you felt that way about me," she said quietly.
"Me too," he said, "Me too."
***
She didn't know what to think. She felt like she was in high school all over again. Pete Wilder, hottie doctor had not only made love to her on her couch, but he had kissed her in the kitchen. If the sex hadn't confused her enough, that kiss had pushed her over the edge.
"We'll figure this out," she muttered, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
That kiss had sent shivers down her spine. Every time she thought about it she got goose bumps.
I guess I can add that to my list of places to avoid thinking about.
As she settled into her bed, she couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring. Violet was never quite sure how to act in these situations. Avoidance was her defense mechanism. She couldn't keep avoiding him. That would be too obvious.
God I just hope he doesn't get too close. I won't be able to pretend like nothing happened.
She closed her eyes.
But it did happen. Her mind wandered back to their kiss in the kitchen as she drifted off to sleep.
It was inevitable. As soon as Violet walked through the doors to the building she saw Pete waiting for the elevator. She froze for a minute trying to decide whether to sneak up the stairs, or brave the elevator with him. The elevator would definitely be too close for comfort.
He looked up from his cup of coffee and smiled at her.
Too late, he saw me. She smiled back and made her way over to him.
"Hey" she said.
"Hey"
She eyed him shyly. She had no idea what to say to him.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
The doors opened and the stepped inside. Pete pressed five.
"I did," she said as the doors closed.
"Dream of me?" He turned to her with a devilish look in his eye. He dropped his coffee. Silently he backed her into the corner of the elevator. Without a moment's hesitation he kissed her, gently at first, then hungrily. Her purse fell to the floor as her arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer.
The elevator slowed to a stop. With flushed faces, they quickly gathered up their things as the doors opened to reveal the fourth floor.
"Ah, just the person I was looking for."
Sheldon stood poised at the elevator doors waiting for a ride up. Violet faked a smile. Pete's face was hard as stone, his jaw clenched. He stepped on and the doors closed.
"Really?" Violet choked out. This is awkward, she thought.
"Yes," he said eyeing Pete, "I thought we could talk in your office."
Violet could hear Pete grinding his teeth together. His hand was slowly clenching and unclenching into a fist. The elevator doors opened to the fifth floor.
"Well then let's go to my office," Violet said gesturing for Sheldon to lead the way. She shot Pete an apologetic look over her shoulder.
Pete watched them go, cursing Sheldon with every step.
**
"So," Violet said, closing the door behind her, "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Sheldon looked at the floor, then back up at her. He took a step toward her.
"I would like to go out with you again," he said nervously.
"Oh."
"I know I said that we should be friends, but I really like you Violet. I'd like another chance."
She was silent.
Oh god, what do I say? Do I tell him that it's too late? That I'm seeing someone else? Yes. That is what I should say. What would Pete say? You're not even sure what's going on with you and Pete. What about, well I'm not sure…you rejected me and I fucked Pete Wilder on this couch the other night. No, that doesn't work.
"Violet, say something," he pleaded.
Her head snapped up. She had no idea what to do. She opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it. The confusion was written all over her face.
"I don't know what to say," she said.
"Say yes."
"I think I'm going to have to think about it," she said, finally.
He looked crushed at first, then confused.
"Ok," he said picking up his briefcase, "just don't keep me waiting to long."
As he left he kissed her on the cheek.
**
What could he have wanted to talk to her about?
Pete was frustrated. Ten minutes had passed since Sheldon had gone into Violet's office, not that he had been looking at his watch. He had been standing at the front desk engaged in conversation with Dell about his upcoming appointments for the day. That wasn't suspicious at all.
He wasn't listening to Dell at all. He was staring intently in the direction of Violet's office.
"Hey man." Sam came up to the desk and flopped a file down. Pete snapped out of his trance.
"Hey."
"What happened yesterday?" Sam asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I saw you running after Meg."
"Oh, right. I don't want to talk about that."
"Gotcha." Sam said, taking a sip of coffee.
The door to Violet's office opened and Sheldon came walking down the hallway. Pete stared at him.
"Where did he come from?" Sam asked.
"Violet's office. They came in together." Dell piped up.
Pete scowled. He turned to face the closing elevator, resting his back against the desk.
"I don't like him," he stated.
"Jealous." Sam muttered.
"She's too good for him."
"Jealous." Dell said.
"I'm not jealous. I'm right. She can do better," he growled at them.
With that he picked up his things and walked into his office.
**
"Pete likes Violet," Sam announced as he entered the office kitchen. Addison and Naomi looked up from their respective breakfasts and stared at him. Cooper choked on his coffee.
"I'm serious." Sam insisted.
"No way," Cooper interjected. "She's not his type."
"And what exactly is his type?" Addison asked glancing over at Cooper.
"I mean..well..it's.." Cooper stuttered, "No way."
"Where is this coming from Sam?" Naomi asked.
"He's jealous of Sheldon."
"Sheldon?" Cooper asked, "Violet isn't even seeing him anymore."
"He was in her office this morning."
"So what does this have to do with Pete?" Addison questioned.
"You didn't see his face. I was talking to him, and he was staring at Violet's door. I'm telling you, he likes her."
"Who likes who?" Pete asked as he walked into the room. They all went quiet as he reached into the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.
"No one. No one likes anyone." Cooper snapped.
"Oookay." Pete backed out of the room.
"Defensive today?" Addison asked Cooper.
"Are you jealous?" Naomi questioned with a huge grin on her face.
"No. No I'm not. It's just that Pete does not like Violet. It wouldn't work even if he did."
"Why do you say that?" asked Sam.
"It just wouldn't. Relationships never work." Cooper left the room. He had been especially moody lately. Everyone knew that he was still reeling from his break up with Charlotte.
"I'm telling you. There's something going on there." Sam insisted. Addison and Naomi rolled their eyes and left the room
**
Now what do I do?
Violet sat drumming her fingers on her desk. She had never been in this situation.
Two men at once?
One was barely a catch.
It didn't work out the first time, remember?
That had been a huge disappointment.
And there was Pete. Pete was a huge step up from any of the men that she had dated lately. But she had no idea where that was going, if it went anywhere at all.
She glanced at her couch and sighed.
I need coffee.
She grabbed her mug and walked to the door. She opened it and ran right into Pete who was getting ready to knock on her door. Quickly he glanced around to see if anyone was watching them, then he pushed her back into her office.
"What did Sheldon want?" he demanded.
"A date."
"Oh." He ran his hands through his hair. His jaw clenched. She could see how tense he had become.
"I told him I would think about it."
He looked up at her, his eyes hopeful. He grinned.
"Well what if I asked you out on a date?" he took a step closer to her.
"I'd have to think about that too." She replied, smiling.
He took another step towards her. "I can be very convincing."
"What would we do on this date?" she asked.
He was right in front of her now; his body so close to hers. She found it very hard not to reach out and touch him. Something about being near him made her want him more. His face hovered over hers.
"Maybe a little takeout?" he whispered.
"I like takeout." She looked up into his eyes. He backed her up against her desk.
"Maybe a movie?" his face was dangerously close to hers.
"I like movies."
Kiss me.
"Maybe you'll spend the night?"
Kiss me.
"What makes you think I'll spend the night with you on the first date?"
"Something tells me you will." His mouth met hers. His tongue parted her lips and explored the inside of her mouth. He lifted her up onto her desk. Instinctively her legs spread, giving him room to come closer. She threw her head back, longing to feel his lips on her throat. Her arms were around his neck, her hands in his hair. His fingers grazed the bare skin where her shirt had come up her back ever so slightly.
"So you'll go on a date with me?" he breathed against her neck.
God you smell good, his mind screamed. It was all he could do to keep from taking her to the couch and slowly pulling off her clothes.
"Yes" she sighed, eyes closed.
"Tonight?" he asked, placing a kiss on her throat.
"Yes."
He smiled. Slowly he backed away from her, straightening himself up. Her eyes opened.
"Why do you do that?" she asked, infuriated.
"I guess I'm just better at convincing than Sheldon." he said.
Smugly he left the room.