***
Six hours later, my head was still spinning when Juliette got back into the car. Not only had I allowed myself to pretend there was a shot in hell I could have a real relationship with Vince Ginocassi’s daughter, I’d allowed myself to pretend she wouldn’t hate me when she eventually found out I’d been working undercover for the NYPD all this time.
“Hey.” Juliette smiled. “Sorry that took forever.”
I turned the key in the ignition. “Not a problem.”
Juliette sighed as she reached down and slipped her heels off. “That guy is such a misogynistic asshole. I don’t know how he hasn’t gotten canceled yet.” She let her head fall back against the headrest. “Did you at least have a peaceful day in the car and continue your whistling?”
What’s the opposite of peaceful? That’s the day I had.“My day was fine.”
I pulled away from the curb. “This morning, when you got out of the car, you kissed me.”
“Did I?” Her brow furrowed as she thought back. “I didn’t even realize it.”
“We need to be more careful in the future.”
“Okay.”
Yet not two seconds later, Juliette reached over and rested her hand on my thigh.
I removed it and glanced around. “I just said we need to be more careful. Someone could see.”
“My hand is below the window. Who’s gonna see?”
She had a point, but it didn’t ease the knot in my gut. “Let’s just not touch in public at all.”
“Fine.”
I looked over. She was staring straight ahead, jaw tight. Clearly annoyed. But I let it be.
The drive home was quiet, and the silence continued into the house. Juliette went into her room and changed into sweats.
“Is everything okay, Wes?” she asked when she came back out.
No. Everything is fucking terrible.“I just have a headache.”
“I’ll get you some Advil.”
“Thanks.”
Dinner conversation was stilted. Every word I said felt like a lie, and I didn’t have the capacity for any more today. Juliette asked me a second time if something was bothering me, and I continued with the headache story. I was relieved when she said she had some work to do and went to her room to use her desk.
She didn’t emerge again until ten o’clock.
“God, I didn’t realize how long I’d been working.” She stretched her arms over her head and leaned to one side, yawning. “I’m tired. You ready for bed?”
I pointed toward the TV. “I think I’ll watch a little more TV.”
She glanced at the screen, then back to me, her brow creasing. “It’s not even on.”
Shit.“Right. I meant I’mgoingto watch a little TV.”
She frowned, clearly unconvinced, but didn’t press further. Instead, she walked over and kissed me. “Goodnight. I hope whatever is weighing on you seems lighter in the morning. If not, I’m always here to talk.”
Jesus, I didn’t deserve this woman. “Thanks, babe.”
It was after midnight before I finally went to bed. I’d debated sleeping on the couch, but I knew that would definitely have Juliette asking questions. We’d slept together every night since we’d started having sex. So instead, I waited until I was sure she was asleep before I slipped into the room, careful not to wake her.
