“Bug, you know that I don’t want to step on any toes.”
That’s code for,I know your family hates me, and I don’t want to make things horrible for you.
“Number one, you’re a paying customer, Jules. Two, my brother never comes in here. It’s not like you’ll be sitting next tohim or something. Three, I love you and want you to come. It’s so much fun. You’re right across the street, so if you drink too much wine, you can just walk home.”
I chuckle and wrinkle my nose. I want to come. I want to so badly. I know that Harper and Ava attend, and I know some of the other girls, too, from back in the day.
“It’s Friday night at seven,” Billie continues. “And you’re more than welcome to join us. It’s fun. You already know most of the people. Even Jackie comes.”
I didn’t know that.
“She does?”
“Yep, and she brings treats with her.”
“I could bring some gluten-free options, if you want.”
“Oh, that would be awesome! Perhaps you and Jackie could alternate bringing the snacks. Or you each bring one. Honestly, you don’t have to bring anything, just come. Chat about sexy books and laugh with us for a while.”
I don’t remember the last time I truly laughed.
“Okay.”
Billie’s eyes go wide. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“If you know for sure that your brother won’t be here, and it’s okay with the others if I come, then yes. I’d like to join you.”
Just thinking about it makes me sweaty. Justin would beso pissed.There’s no way he’d allow it.
He’s dead, Juliet. He doesn’t have a say. You don’t have to ask permission.
“Holy shit, this is the best day of my life.” Billie claps her hands. “I promise you’ll have so much fun.”
“I know I will. Thanks, Bug. I’d better get back over there.”
With a bag full of new books and a little bit of hope that book club might work out after all, I walk back across the street and around to the staircase to carry these upstairs before heading back down to get ready for the dinner rush.
But when I reach the stairs, I pause.
Because on each step, the metal has been covered with anti-slip stair treads.
Blinking back tears, I reach down to touch them. They’re real. I’m not hallucinating.
Brooks.
He’s the only one who knew I fell this morning. He’s the only one who knew it was because my stairs were slick.
He fixed them.
He made sure that I’m as safe from that particular injury as I can be, and he did it all without being asked.
Oh God.
What does this mean? Does it mean anything at all? He’s so angry with me, there’s no way he would do something for me out of the goodness of his heart. He’s made it clear that I’m nothing to him. I don’t exist in his world.
But then why did he do this? It’s so damn confusing. I loved him with all my heart. He was everything to me, and I did everything wrong. I let someone else manipulate me, lie to me, and ruin the best thing in my life.
I was supposed to marry Brooks. Have a family with him. Grow old with him.
