"I mean every word of that, and I'm not joking," Ambrose said, laughing as he waved his hand dismissively. "If the two of us walked down the street together, people would genuinely believe you were my little sister." The words left his mouth before he could think them through, and he realized a beat too late that the comment might come across as too casual, maybe even flirtatious in a way he hadn't intended. He cleared his throat and grabbed the wine bottle, pivoting smoothly. "Anyway, let's have another round, come on, drink up."
Violet ducked her head, a flush creeping up her neck, and nodded quickly. She reached over and refilled both their glasses, her fingers brushing the neck of the bottle with more care than the task required.
They drank like that for a while, no real pace to it,
