Page 39 of Romeo

“Yeah.My grandfather taught me.I loved it.Made me feel strong and in control.”Her smile fades.“I miss him.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell her.Then I realize that it’s the first time those words have left my mouth.I’d accused her of murdering a man who clearly meant the world to her.Which makes me feel even worse.“I’m really sorry for what happened to him.”

“Thanks.I just… I can’t believe he’s gone.It all feels so surreal.Maybe once we catch the guy responsible and things calm down, it’ll set in.But right now, I feel like he’s only one phone call away.”

My heart aches for her.“We’ll find out who did this to him, Jules.You have my word.”

For the first time since she stepped outside, she turns to face me fully.“I believe you.”

We sit here, gazes locked on one another, with nothing but the sound of sizzling steaks as background noise.Something passes between us.An understanding perhaps?Maybe even trust?

Chapter15

Jules

Riley’s porch is the most peaceful place I’ve ever been.Even my grandfather’s estate never brought me this sort of peaceful silence.It’s almost as though, if I were to just continue to sit here, I might be able to find the answers to every question I’ve been seeking.Maybe, eventually, I could even find myself.

Even as on edge as the man makes me, being here with Riley is as easy as breathing.Though, to be fair, with the pain in my abdomen, even drawing breath is not quite a cakewalk at the moment.

It’s dark outside now, with our only light source coming from the moon above and string lights draped on the patio roof.With the weather as great as it is, we’d chosen to eat outside, and as I stare at my empty plate, I can honestly say that the mancan cook.I mean, seriously cook.

Given it’s one of my favorite pastimes as well, I feel rather confident in saying that he might even be better than me.At least with a grill, anyway.

“That was delicious.Thanks again,” I say as he emerges from the kitchen with a fresh glass of sweet tea for me and a mint-colored cosmetic bag.He sets it beside him but doesn’t address the contents.

“You’re welcome.I have dough rising for cinnamon rolls in the morning.If you’re interested.”

“You bake too?”

“As I said, man of many talents,” he replies with a sideways grin.

Oh, boy.Why does the sight of him make my stomach flutter?

Every single minute spent in his presence has me liking him just a bit more.I can admit that I was wrong about him before—to myself, anyway.I have no intention of confessing that to him.Not when I’m already struggling to keep my head around him.

“And speaking of my many talents.”He unzips the bag and withdraws nail polish remover and a bottle of pale blue nail polish.“I’m hoping to add one to the list.”

“What is that?”

“Compliments of my sister.I noticed you had some chips on your paint and thought I’d offer my skills as a pedicurist.”

I can’t help but gape at him.Is he seriously offering to paint my toes?This man who made it clear he thought of me as nothing more than a spoiled red-carpet princess is offering to kneel at my feet?

“You want to paint my toes?”

His cheeks redden just slightly in the pale light.“If you’re up for it.It just seemed like you like having your nails painted, and since you can’t reach them right now with your injury—” He trails off.“If you don’t want me to, no harm done.”He starts to put the stuff away.

“No.That would be great.I just—are you sure?You don’t have to.”

“I know I don’t.And yes, I am sure.”He grins at me then grabs the nail polish and remover, as well as the bag, and takes a seat on the porch at my feet.

“Riley, this is a lot.Really.You don’t have to.”I start to panic slightly.Why is he doing this?What does he expect in return?Nothing is free.Life taught me that.

“Jules, I promise it’s okay.I like trying new things.Since I’ve never actually painted nails before, it might be fun.Besides, it’s not like we have anything else to do tonight, right?”

I swallow hard.“I guess not.Okay.Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”He grins up at me then takes my bare foot into his hand and rests it on top of his leg.The moment contact is made between us, an unexplainable calm washes over me, easing the anxiety away like a gentle breeze.What is happening to me?

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