When she was angry with me, all I wanted was to get back in her good graces. Jules may be infuriating but on the other hand, I get a rush from being around her. More and more, I’m realizing how much I crave it.
I apologized to her earlier over the phone. But I need her to believe that I mean it. I’m ready to swallow my pride because I understand that I might have some graveling to do.
As we’re walking along the pathway to where my car is parked at the curb, Jules glances at me over her shoulder. “So, Detective Raines. Did you come with another list of questions to ask tonight? I’m bracing for your next interrogation.”
“Nope. No list of questions tonight,” I say simply.
Jules stops beside my car, both eyebrows quirked upward. “Oh…?”
I give my head a shake as I open her door. “Seriously, I feel bad for how I handled things the other night at the restaurant. Tonight, I just want to make it up to you.”
She blinks at me. “Oh…”
No clever comeback. For once.
As I round the car to my side, I smirk to myself. I’ve rendered my mouthy fiancée speechless. I love it.
But then I quickly remind myself of the reason why I’m doing any of this. I’ve got to stay on Jules’s good side if I want this marriage to happen.
“So, I’m kind of winging this date on the fly,” I warn her as I start the car. “Booking a reservation at the last minute can be a headache on Friday nights.”
Her shoulders pop upward before they drop. “I’m not in the mood for anything fancy. I’m still kind of amped up from my kickboxing class earlier.”
“Kickboxing?” I ask, glancing at her across the console as I drive off.
“Yes. There are perks to knowing how to defend myself,” she says.
“I think I’m scared. All that power in the hands of a woman like you? That could be dangerous.”
She pats my cheek with her delicate fingers. “Oh, baby. Don’t give me a reason to kick your ass and there’ll be nothing to be worried about.”
Grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckles, I laugh. “Point taken.”
I laugh a lot when I’m with Jules. I’m not used to it. Most of my adult life has been nothing but bills and mortgage payments and responsibilities. Somewhere along the line, I forgot how to smile. But with Jules around, I’m starting to remember to live again, one flicker of a moment at a time.
Deep down, I know that’s why I fought so hard when she was mad at me. That’s why I wouldn’t stop calling her, trying to make things right. That’s why I put my pride to the side and apologized to get back into her good graces.
Because, yeah, closing my business deal depends on her. But I’m starting to realize that these moments of laughter depend on her, too.
“So, is there anything you want to do?” I ask as we cruise past the darkened storefronts on Sunflower Boulevard. “We can do whatever.”
“Anything?” she questions me, and I don’t like the little grin that’s now curving her lips.
“Anything within legal limits,” I qualify.
“Party pooper.” She pouts.
I tilt my head to the side. “Jules…”
She laughs, pointing out the window. “Over there.”
Following her command, I pull into the strip mall parking lot. She’s immediately unclipping her seatbelt.
The second I cut the engine, she’s hopping out of the car. When I round the vehicle, she takes my hand, slipping her long fingers through mine. Then we’re heading in the direction of The Whiskey Barrel Tavern.
“Come on. I feel like dancing.”
18
