Page 80 of Hate to Crave You
Epilogue
Julianna
“Sir,can I get you anything before we take off?”
Roman smiled at the flight attendant. “Scotch, neat.”
Charles Castle echoed the request while Juliana asked for a glass of white wine on her way to use the facilities.
She paused by Roman and dropped a kiss on his head.
On her way out of the main cabin, she heard her father speaking and paused just a moment to hear his question.
“I suppose it’s wishful thinking to hope that you’ve spoken to your father recently,” Charles said, his voice gruff.
“I’m afraid not, Charles. You and I both know he’s not likely to give in. He’s just too set in his ways.”
“He always was a stubborn old goat.” Charles blew out a breath. “Her mother and I keep hoping, but…” His voice trailed off.
“I know.”
Julianna’s bladder panged so she hurried on to the restroom as they continued to speak.
When she returned, she loitered a moment longer, staying just out of view, listening once more. A smile curved her lips as the two men she loved the most spoke to each other. They’d become friends. More, her father was becoming a father-like figure to Roman, which she adored.
“…things with your brothers? Your mother?”
“I’m pretty sure your wife would have mentioned that she ran into my mother at the spa.”
Julianna could hear the smile in Roman’s voice and the grin on her face spread in reaction. Oh, yes. Her father had heard that the two mothers had a brief run-in at their mutual spa. Julianna had made certain of it.
“The two of them spoke.” Roman sounded amused.
Julianna had relayed the whole story to him—or what she knew of it—the very night it happened. The next day, his mother had called him and asked him to join her for lunch.
According to Roman, she’d been unusually blunt when she told him,I want my children to be happy. If Julianna Castle makes you happy, then that’s what…that’swhoI want for you. I’ll handle your father as best as I can.
“Yes, Janice mentioned it. She said that they both came to a meeting of the minds,” Charles said, his familiar voice cutting into Julianna’s pensive reverie. “Your mother is a remarkable woman, you know.”
“So is your wife.”
The flight attendant brushed by her, pausing at Julianna’s side. Julianna lifted a finger to her lips and mouthed,Shhhh…
The woman flashed her an understanding smile and moved on into the main cabin.
Julianna waited a moment longer, then followed her, just as the drinks were passed out.
She watched as Roman tipped his glass toward Charles in a silent toast.
“Are we drinking to something in particular? Why was I left out?”
“Nothing in particular, sweetie,” her father said, smiling indulgently at her. “Roman just mentioned how his mother ran into yours at the spa a couple of weeks ago.”
“Oh, man.” Julianna rolled her eyes. “You should have seen the way some of the attendants there acted. You would have thought they were going to have a catfight the way people were cowering. But Mom and Ava just looked at each other for what felt like an hour, then they gave each other one of those air kisses and decided to meet in the spa’s bar for a drink so they couldcatch up.” She made quotes in the air with her fingers. “Naturally, I wasn’t invited. Mom told me to enjoy my pedicure.”
Roman laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Julianna asked, although she expected she knew what had him so amused.
