The Billionaire's Beautiful Mistake(40)

Tyla shook her head. “Not at all. But I know what you’re going through. Tucker, Saeger, Knox, and Creek are friends and so similar that it is annoying. And…” Tyla paused.

“You’re in love with one of them,” she said, guessing the truth even though the woman probably wasn’t going to admit it.

“No way,” Tyla replied with a gamin smile. “I’m not joining that wounded-hearts club. But I know what you’re feeling.”

Violet watched the woman’s face carefully. In the end, she couldn’t easily walk back to her house, and would be a fool to even try. “My place is a thirty minute drive from here. I wasn’t really going to walk all the way home. I’m not that drunk.” She sighed, and pushed her hair behind her ears. “I was just going to find a hotel.”

“Well, there are rooms above the bar for people who need a place to crash. But I’m guessing you don’t want to go back there. And I don’t mind driving you home. I’ll even be an objective ear if you’d like to talk.”

Violet wiped another tear that started to roll down her cheek, angry that she would let that man’s words hurt her so deeply. “I don’t know you.”

Tyla gave Violet a half-smile. “I know. And maybe that’s better. You don’t know me. I don’t know you. And we’ll probably never run into each other again after tonight, so anything you tell me will be completely confidential. Trust me,” she said when Violet opened her mouth to argue. Tyla stopped Violet’s next argument by saying, “Creek will never hear a word from me about anything you say tonight.”

Violet sighed and looked around. The sun had already started to lower in the sky even though the days were getting longer. She knew it was dangerous to be out in the cold at night. There were too many dangers although at this point, she wasn’t sure she cared.

But she was being ridiculous and needed to think properly. Looking at the other woman who smiled kindly, Violet accepted that she should exhibit a bit of common sense. “A ride would be hugely appreciated.”

Tyla smiled brightly and Violet was struck by the woman’s beauty. Her sandy blonde hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun, but there was no denying the lovely features, the high cheekbones, and the full lips that stretched into one of the most welcoming smiles Violet had ever experienced.

“Hop in. The heat is already making me warm and cozy.”

“Thank you,” Violet finally said with a sigh. “This is very generous of you.” Violet walked around to the other side of the Jeep and climbed in, stretching her hands out to the warmth blasting out of the heaters.

Tyla put the Jeep in gear and shot down the road. “I know what you’re going through. Those men are just...” she didn’t finish the sentence but Violet understood.

“Jerks,” Violet filled in for the pretty woman.

“Exactly,” Tyla said as she carefully drove down the dark streets. “And idiots when it comes to women,” she added on.

The rest of the drive, the two women came up with names for men, some of them so ridiculous it caused both women to laugh hard.

When they reached the small town of Appleton, Violet directed Tyla through the streets until they reached her shop and apartment. When they pulled up, Tyla smiled excitedly. “Hey! I’ve ordered things from this place!” Tyla exclaimed. “You have the neatest stuff!”

Violet smiled, but it wasn’t filled with pleasure like it normally would be. “Thank you. Would you like to come up for some coffee or tea?” she asked, trying to be polite. The woman had driven her far out of the way and it would be a long drive back to Winthrop. A cup of something warm was the least she could do.

Tyla considered the woman’s offer. “I’d love some tea,” she finally said. “Besides, I really don’t think you should be alone right now. That was a huge blow. You need to vent a bit.”

Violet laughed a little, but that only caused a tear to fall down again. “Thanks. Maybe that would be nice.”

Violet led the way up the wooden stairs and unlocked her door. The room was filled with warmth and she moved to the stove to turn on the burner, heating up the water in the teapot.

“This is really nice,” Tyla commented as she looked around Violet’s small but cozy living area. “Very cozy.”

Violet smiled again, but leaned back against the countertop, closing her eyes to try and stem the tears.

“You’re not a prostitute,” Tyla said. “I can’t imagine what Creek was thinking when he wrote the check.”

Violet shook her head, looking down and trying to hide the incredible pain she was feeling. “I don’t know whether to be angrier with my stepfather, or Creek who would pay someone so that he could have sex with me.”