Page 44 of Taboo

“So, have you seen that Alek?”

Her face flamed the moment Nic said his name. Blasted fair skin.

“Actually, he’s coming to Oahu tonight.”

Nic danced around in her chair, and Julienne was happy Jensen wasn’t there or he would have probably complained. “Yay.”

“Don’t get that look, Nic. He’s coming over because he wants to show me the island. I haven’t been out much.”

“What? Why?” The demand in her voice and the dark frown made Julienne chuckle.

“You know my driving skills.”

And she didn’t see much fun in running around by herself, but she didn’t want to say that to Nic. Julienne was worried her sister-in-law would feel guilty about David not being here.

Her smile faded, telling Julienne she figured it out anyway. “I should send David back over there.”

Of course she figured it out in a few seconds. The woman was sharp. “Absolutely not. You need him. The truth is, I’ve actually enjoyed the last couple of weeks. Do you know I can’t remember the last time I just sat by a pool and rested?”

“Okay, I might have to apologize to your brother. You do sound a little…different.”

Julienne laughed again not taking offense at all. “I do because for once I’ve had several nights of sleep.”

In London, she rarely got four hours of sleep, let alone the eight they say you should get. She would normally work and work until she ended up passing out from exhaustion. That happened at least once a month. Then she would start it all over again, working on four to five hours of sleep a night. And she had been living it up sleeping at least eight hours a night and taking light naps by the pool during the day. Well, all the nights but last night, but she wouldn’t mention that.

“Hmm, and you look amazing.”

“What? I’m a mess. You should see my hair down. I look like I put my hand in an electrical outlet.”

“No, you don’t, and you know it. Also, part of it is your skin. You’re not tan because, well, you’re a pasty Brit.”

“Thanks for that.”

Nic ignored that comment. “But there’s a glow. So, you’re excited about him coming over.”

“Nothing will happen, Nic. We agreed. He’s just coming over to show me around.”

Nic stared at the screen, saying nothing, just that dead eye stare. It’s the look that makes grown men cry—or that’s what Jensen said. He always said he needed Nic when things went sideways with something at work. Whenever he needed someone with a steel set of balls, it figures Jensen would call in a woman. But Nic had always been like this. Take no prisoners. Julienne was sure it came from competing on the world stage as a teenager.

“What?”

“The man is flying over from another island, and let me guess, you have been talking every night.”

“Yes. And texting…”

“How often?”

“All day.” The look on Nic’s face was one of excitement “Don’t. He doesn’t want forever, and you know me, I need some kind of commitment that even if it isn’t forever, there is a chance for it. I know it makes me weird.”

“No. It makes you who you are, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with you,” she said fiercely, making Julienne smile. Growing up like she did, friends who defended her were a rare occurrence. In fact, she couldn’t remember ever having a friend stand up for her.

“Thank you,” she said around the lump in her throat.

Nic wasn’t finished though. “You’re honest and that’s something most people can’t say. But, Jules, you need to have fun, and when you talk about this guy, you light up.”

“I do not.” She totally did.

“You do. And how are you going to know if you have a chance with him unless you take that chance? Did he say that he wasn’t interested in long term?”

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