Page 49 of Cross My Heart
“What? That’s random,” she cautions.
“Jules,” So smart and yet misses social cues left and right. “It's because he called me Mary Poppins on my first visit here, remember?”
“Oh yeah! And you told him you were more of a Maria,” she laughs. “Well, don’t leave me hanging. What’s the difference?”
“Maria stays,” I tell her.
Julia is silent. “Hello? Jules? Did I lose you?”
“I-I-I’m here,” she sniffles.
“Are you crying?” I ask in shock.
“He’s worth the risk, Lanie. Please, at least think about giving this man a chance,” Jules begs.
“I’m not sure if I can,” I choke out. “I have to go. I have to get some stuff from the market. I’ll call you later. Luvs.”
“Luvs, Lanie, bye.”
Banging my head on the steering wheel, I let the tears flow. I look like a crazy lady, I’m sure, but I feel so out of control.
Give him a chance. “Can I do that?” I ask aloud.
I’m answered by noisy gurgling sounds from the backseat. I’m not sure if it was my head banging or my one-person conversation that woke them, but both girls are awake now. Might as well get our shopping out of the way.
Dex
Chapter 21
Julia: Soooo, it turns out I’m not a great wing-man. Sorry.
Dexter: WTF, Julia? What now?
Julia: She knows that I know that you slept in her bed last night. She’s kinda pissed you spoke to me before she did.
I can’t deal with this girl. I press the call button.
“Well, hello, Mr. Cross,” Julia answers like she didn’t just throw me under the bus. Again.
“Don’t, Julia. What kind of cockblocking did you do this time?” I bark.
She scoffs, “I hardly cockblocked, you douche-canoe. I told her to give you a chance, but you may want to rethink your method of asking for help. Not sure she appreciates the little camaraderie we’ve got going on.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I take a calming breath. “Did you at least tell Lanie I only told you so you wouldn’t crush my balls when you found out I slept in her room last night?”
“Nope. Didn’t get the chance, Cross. She had me tearing up over the little Mary Poppins lesson you gave her.”
I shrug my shoulders, not that she can see me. “What do I have coming my way?”
“Not sure, honestly. She is grocery shopping with the girls right now. Did you decide on a plan?”
I sit on the corner of my desk and smile. “I did. I told her I’m going to spend every day treating her so good she won’t ever want to give me up. Today is day one of my Make Lanie Mine plan.”
“All right, big guy. Good luck. We are rooting for you. Miss Rosa’s got a betting pool going, most bets are on you. No pressure or anything.”
Chuckling, I say goodbye.
There is something endearing about Julia. Strange, annoying, but endearing just the same.
