Wild Violet (The Vi Trilogy of The Gilded Flower Series Book 1) (12 page)

Present Day

Vi wakes up, just as the flight attendant is adjusting her seat. “We’ll be landing soon,” she says.

She’s still in a sleepy daze as the taxi makes its way through the city. Unsurprisingly, there are few cars and even fewer people on the streets at this early hour since days in this city start and end late. It’s remarkable that, in all these years, she’s only visited this city once. Knowing that
he
could be here is probably the reason she stayed away for so long.

A long swim in the hotel pool and an even longer shower bring Vi out of her near-frozen state. She hasn’t stopped for the past forty-eight hours. She’s worried about Thomas. Not being able to locate him has her assuming the worst. A small part of her is worried about herself as well. She realizes that she had run out of time a while ago but had ignored the signs. Andrés warned her she was on borrowed time, and she had overreached. Now, Thomas is out there trying to play the hero. When she last saw him, everything had been destroyed, any trace of her former life entirely erased.
What could he be up to now?

Coming to Madrid is a desperate act. Vi knows it, but staying in New York and waiting for Thomas to contact her isn’t going to work. She needs to talk to someone, and there’s only one other person Vi can trust. Besides, as much as Dahlia knows, Vi will do everything she can to not involve her any more than she has been already. Dahlia has too much at stake, having just been reunited with her daughter and getting back together with Rodrigo.

Vi takes a deep breath as she walks into the gallery just off Calle Augusto Figueroa in Chueca, one of Madrid’s trendiest and most vibrant areas. She had walked around for a while, imagining what it would be like to see him after five years. It was then that she realized his five-year commitment must be nearly over.
Would he assume it’s why she came?

The thought nearly has Vi on the next flight back to New York. However, she resolved that it would be good to see
him
—to lay to rest the life he had helped create for her. Maybe then she can decide her next move.

Vi explores the expansive space, which takes up two floors. There’s a photography exhibition on the main level, while a small, modern collection is on display upstairs. Hearing his voice coming from the top floor makes her more excited than she had anticipated. She stands at the bottom of the stairwell, uncertain of how to proceed.

The sound of footsteps makes her look up. She notices him first. He’s speaking to a young woman carrying a notepad and writing furiously. The moment he sees Vi, it’s as if time has stopped for both of them, the memories and feelings from their past converging into this single moment. Her heart starts to pound in her chest, and her breathing becomes shallow. His face slowly comes into focus, the past and present coming together.

He smiles at her—
that
smile—the one that made her feel so many things she hasn’t wanted to feel since being with him.

Vi tries to ignore the emotions that are about to overtake her. Pushing them away, she finally says, “Hello, Andrés.”

There are so many things that go into writing a book that have little to do with sitting down and writing. First it’s the inspiration, an idea, or even the inkling of an idea that is sparked by experience, a memory or dream, or a person. I want to thank my husband, first and foremost, for sharing numerous adventures with me that have inspired my stories, as well as his tireless support. I’d also like to thank my children. While more often than not they keep me from writing, they inspire me every day.

Aside from ideas, there are the friends who make you feel as if anything is possible and that how you execute it, however messy and awful, is the most terrific thing you’ve ever done. Sara and Lisa, you two crazy bitches make me feel invincible.

Of course, I seem to find crazy bitches wherever I go. Karen and Lucia, you two troublemakers have made my years in New York City memorable. Promise me to never share those pictures.

Then there is that one friend who not only tells you that what you do is wonderful—even if she thinks otherwise—is willing to go along for the ride. Suzann, I will be eternally grateful to the universe for sending you to me. Thank you for holding my hand and encouraging me every step of the way.

Sonja, we’ll always have Paris . . .and Chicago, and New York. Thank you for all the profound experiences we had together.

And of course, the family who’s had my back since I took my first steps. Of course you weren’t surprised to find out that I write
those
kinds of books—and I wouldn’t presume they’d read them. That my sisters-in-law do read them means the world to me. B and K, thank you for being a part of my family and for reading my books.

Last, but certainly not least, my deepest gratitude to my fans, readers and bloggers who feature my books. This series is for you! I am incredibly humbled and grateful to you all for your support and your kick-ass reviews. There are so many books out there. That you’ve found mine and enjoyed them enough to write a review or buy these books means the world to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Vivian Winslow was born and raised in Southern California. Before becoming a writer, she made a career out of moving around the world every couple of years thanks to her husband’s job. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and two elementary school age children, and is grateful to finally have a place to call home for more than two years. New York is the perfect city to indulge her love of shopping, the arts and especially food. If she’s not at home writing or running around the city with her kids, you’ll most likely find her indulging in pizza on the Lower East Side or having a cocktail at her favorite bar in Alphabet City. That said, she’s still a California girl at heart and would gladly trade in her heels for a pair of flip-flops to catch a sunset on the beach.

You can connect with Vivian at:

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