“Because they got to experience a side of you that I never will.” She sat at the edge of the bed. “I guess I just don’t know how to separate my feelings from reality. On a rational level, I know nothing can happen between us. But too often you make me forget that, Wes. And being here with you during this emotional time in your life, seeing how you comfort your mom…” She shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m saying.”
I knew what she was saying. Wanting someone you couldn’t have was torture. I couldn’t really fathom how the future with Juliette would play out. Eventually she’d find someone, and I’d have to sit back and watch. Or maybe I could somehow get out of this particular gig and ask to be reassigned. Although, I couldn’t imagine leaving her, either. I wasn’t sure I trusted anyone else to protect her. And that was telling.
As she sat there rubbing her temples, I felt what could only be described as a magnetic pull that urged me to go to her, to hold her. Still, I tightened every muscle in my body and resisted. “I’m sorry things aren’t different,” I finally said.
Juliette looked up at me and murmured, “Me, too.”
Then my phone rang. “It’s your father,” I said before picking up. “Vince. How’s it going?”
“How are things down the shore?”
I hesitated. “My grandmother passed away. But I had the chance to see her before she died. So thank you again for clearing us to come.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
I noticed Juliette turn around and begin changing into her sleep clothes. I moved to the farthest corner of the room to give her some privacy.
“I wanted to let you know that things have calmed down,” Vince said. “You and Juliette are free to return to California. But you should still be on high alert—just no need to go back to Italy.”
I ran my hand through my hair. “Okay. I’ll let her know.”
“Very good, then. Take care of my baby girl.”
“Of course. Thanks, Vince.”
I was still looking down at the phone when Juliette asked, “What’s going on?”
After I filled her in, Juliette looked like someone had pissed in her Cheerios. “I was actually hoping to go back to Italy, believe it or not,” she said. “Although this is probably best for me workwise.”
“I hear you. A part of me was kind of hoping for that, too.”
My feelings on the matter were starting to mess with my head. So were Juliette’s nipples, which I could see clear as day through the thin shirt I was pretty sure she’d put on to torture me tonight.
CHAPTER 14
Juliette
I couldn’t sleep.
It had been close to an hour since Wes had turned off the light, and I was still staring up at the ceiling, feeling wide awake despite the long day. I’d assumed Wes would conk out pretty quickly, considering the day’s emotional toll, but I hadn’t heard his breathing smooth out yet.
“Wes?” I whispered. “Are you still awake?”
“Yeah.”
I turned to face him and tucked my hands under my cheek. “Where would you see yourself in five years, if you didn’t work for my father?”
He was quiet a moment. “If we’re playing in the land of make believe, then I’m back on the force. Maybe in a different unit and with a higher rank that comes with more pay.”
I smiled. “What unit would you want to be in?”
Wes had been lying on his back, but he now turned to face me. It was dark, but not so much that I wasn’t reminded how handsome he was.
“I alwaysthought I might want to go into the Special Victims Unit—work with women and children who were abused.”
I didn’t have to ask why that would interest him, not after finding out how his father had treated his mother.
