Page 36 of Stone
“You’re getting that look again. It’s the past, Simon.”
“We learn to cope. That doesn’t mean the scars aren’t also there,” he said.
“Speaking from experience?”
He inclined his head. “I am. But you already know that.”
She wagged her head. “You’ve only told me so much,” she said, then continued before he could protest. “But we’re still getting to know each other, Simon. I don’t expect to know your deepest darkest secrets or reveal mine—not that there really are any. But, as they say during our board meetings, ‘we’re trending in the right direction,’ and that’s a good thing. It feels good. And right.”
He stopped himself from responding right away and thought about her words. While he wanted to know everything about her, every nook and cranny of her complicated mind and every inch of her soul, she was right. They were doing a damn good job of getting to know each other while also dealing with a hairy situation.
He nodded, then poured them both a glass of sparkling water before raising his. “We’ll have a real toast soon, but for now, here’s to us. Figuring out how to unravel a triad of criminal activityandhaving our first real dinner date. No one can accuse us of not being multitaskers.”
She lifted her glass and clinked it against his, a smile spreading across her face. “We are pretty badass. And you have no idea how happy it will make Rocco and Emma to know they hosted our first proper date.”
An image flashed through his mind as she spoke. Of Rocco and Emma catering a wedding. Their wedding. Shock stole his body, then in the next beat of his heart, it slid away. He’d never thought of himself as the marrying kind. He didn’t have anything against the institution, he just didn’t know anything about it or what it took to have a good one.
But one look at Juliana’s smile had him considering another perspective. He might not have ever consideredmarriage, but he had no problem seeing himself spending the rest of his life with the woman sitting across from him.
19
Juliana rose and kissed Simon’s cheek before hopping up onto the passenger seat of his truck. Halfway in, her jacket caught on the seat belt, jerking her back. Her heart lurched as momentum took over and she started to topple. Before she’d even taken her next breath, though, Simon caught her. She shot him a rueful smile as she untangled and righted herself. He grinned, leaned into the cab, and brushed his lips against hers.
They hadn’t had a sip of alcohol, but she felt giddy, a little tipsy. They’d eaten—So. Much. Food—and talked for the past three hours. Talked about everything from the triad of villains—as they’d dubbed Lowery, Gregor, and Polinsky—to family, to their favorite vacations, food, and Mystery Lake spots. They’d even had a rousing debate over the West Coast versus East Coast. She’d argued on behalf of her East Coast legacy, but they both knew she was firmly in the West Coast camp.
Now they had another three or so hours before she could snuggle up in bed at Simon’s place. As he crossed in front of the truck to the driver’s side, she considered whether she’d invite him to join her. Then wondered whether he’d invite her to join him. But as they backed out of the parking spot, she let thequestion slide away. She’d cross that bridge when she came to it—another several hours away.
Simon’s phone rang on Bluetooth as they pulled onto the road. The screen in his truck flashed with Philly’s name.
“Yeah,” Simon answered.
“You still in the city?” Philly asked, not put off by the brusque greeting.
“Leaving now.”
“Don’t,” Philly said.
Her chest squeezed. “Is there a problem?”
“Not in the way you’re thinking, Juls,” Philly said, his voice softening.
“Then?” Simon demanded.
“There’s a wildfire outside of town. Highway 49 is closed, and there’s talk of closing more roads. There’s no wind tonight, thank god, so they think they’ll get it under control. But…”
“It’s late August and California is a tinderbox and they’d rather be safe than sorry,” Simon said.
“You got it in one,” Philly replied. “You’re better off getting a hotel room for the night and coming back tomorrow.”
Simon glanced her direction when Philly mentioned the hotel. Simon wouldn’t go for booking two rooms. He’d want to be close enough should something happen to her. Neither anticipated it, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t prepare for it.
“I’m good either way,” she said. “We can stay here or we can drive east, and if we can get home, we get home. If not, there are plenty of hotels around there.”
He nodded. “I’d rather get out of the city if we can,” he replied before relaying the plan to Philly, then ending the call. She didn’t blame him. She loved San Francisco, but the hotels were expensive.
“Do you want to pick the music?” he asked, nodding to the screen. “It’s hooked up to my phone and Spotify, so I’m sure you can find something.”
They’d listened to rock on the way in, most of which she hadn’t been familiar with. A blend of old school and metal. Not her favorite, but the volume had been low and they’d been caught up in conversation so she hadn’t minded. Now the pressure was on as she scrolled through the playlists.
