Page 68 of Once Smitten, Twice Shy

“Eventually,” she says softly, as she leans back against the fence, staring out at the land. “We found our way to happily ever after, eventually.” She turns and faces me. “The takeaway is, you are at most, eh, twelve percent Italian?”

“Still Italian enough to give our neighbors l’ombrello.”

She rolls her eyes and pats my cheek. “I do love you, my stubborn one.”

“Love you, too, Ma.”

Wordlessly, she pushes off the fence, then starts to walk back toward the house.

I wait until she’s far enough away that I’m not worried she’ll be able to look back and see what I’m doing, then yank out my phone and open up my messages. Every evening, after work, I’ve been texting Juliet, and I don’t want to miss a day, before I head back to her tomorrow morning.

I’ve been trying my best with the flirty texting, but I still feel awkward as hell. I’ve reverted to cheesy, silly pickup lines more often than not, but at least they always seem to get a laugh out of her. Starting yesterday, though, I threw out the idea of rapid-fire questions, just about the small personal stuff I’d want to know about someone I’m trying to learn well enough to figure out if I can build a life with them. The right or left side of the bed? Favorite kind of music? Early bird or night owl? We didn’t get too far before we both crashed for the night, and I want to pick up where we left off.

I tell myself I want more practice, but I know the truth: I want more fromher. I want to know Juliet, to learn more every time I talk to her.

Will:You up?

Juliet:What romance! Nothing makes my heart race like a booty call pick-up line.

A laugh leaves me. Hector drops the stick Mom threw at my feet and barks when I don’t throw it for him. I’m typing my response to Juliet instead.

Will:Fine, I’ll send a better one.

Will:How’s the evening treating you, beautiful?

Juliet:Yeah, like that a lot. 10/10.

Juliet:Evening’s been pretty relaxing. Weather’s gorgeous, so I’ve got the windows open and some candles lit. Wrapped up a couple writing projects,and now I’m just unwinding. How about you, handsome?

My heart jumps.Handsome. She’s never called me that.

She’s practicing, you ass. Just like you.

Except it doesn’t feel like practicing, texting her, wanting to know how she is, how her day is ending, getting texts from her that feel like she wants that, too.

I drag a hand through my hair and tug, frustrated. It’s getting harder to keep it separate inside myself—what’s practice with Juliet and what’s real. Over and over again, I’ve had to remind myself that fixating on that distinction is futile, because even if every second of it were real, she’d still be off-limits; nothing else can ever come of it beyond this month of practice that we’ve promised each other. Shaking my head, I push those thoughts away and type back.

Will:Good day of work. Getting ready to roll out this new whiskey, the one I’ve been giving samples of to clients in the city, so it’s busy right now, but productive. Had dinner with my parents, and now I’m just throwing a stick for the dog because if I don’t make sure he burns off this energy, he’ll get the zoomies later on and wake me up tearing around downstairs.

I finally chuck the stick again for Hector, then snap a picture of him streaking across the grass, a splotchy blur of blue-gray and white. When he runs back and drops the stick at my feet, I crouch, then snap another photo, this one a close-up of his goofy dog face tilted sideways, ears flopped forward, pink tongue lolling out of his mouth.

Will:Meet Hector

Juliet:OH. MY. GOD!!

I stare at her response, nervous. I’ve mentioned I have a dog but not his breed.

Will:Is that a good “OH MY GOD” or a bad one?

Juliet:Will, I’m literally kicking my feet right now & making the most ridiculous noises! He’s the sweetest boy! I want to kiss his squishy face! I need to scratch behind his velvety little triangle ears! OF COURSE IT’S A GOOD “OH MY GOD” I LOVE HIM!!

My heart’s thudding in my ribs, a ridiculously wide smile lighting up my face.

Will:I just wasn’t sure. Not everyone likes pit bulls. A lot of people don’t.

Juliet:Well, that’s their problem. The bad rap pit bulls have is so unfair. Any dog, no matter their breed, that isn’t socialized well, that’s neglected or mistreated or bred in an environment specifically for aggression (looking at you, dogfighting), is potentially dangerous. That’s not on the animals. That’s on humans to do better.

Will:I know we’re talking about my dog, & this is probably going to sound very weird, but the fact that you feel that way & just went off about it is very hot.

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