I promised him that Claud would be the only one in my life until she was older, that I would focus on her and only her, and that I wouldn’t let another possible threat into her life, as I almost did with my ex.
Until this point, I haven’t even considered breaking my promise.
My client walks away, so I turn and watch Jules as she throws her head back, laughing freely as the woman in front of her tells a story.
Everything about her is beautiful, including the small things, especially how she articulates herself and genuinely cares for others. She is utterly enchanting.
Juliette Caldwell is one of the special ones who is good down to the core, and I’m positive I don’t deserve her.
Sipping my scotch, I reach my hand out and rub along the curve of her back.
In slow motion, she turns her head toward me. Her face lights up, and her broad smile stretches, reaching her eyes.
“Hi,” she mouths, then reaches back to squeeze my forearm, shooting me another whisk of a smile before continuing her conversation.
She hugs the older woman goodbye, then sips her drink while her grin returns as she stares at me like I’m the center of her universe.
I know the feeling, baby.
I take her hand and guide her toward our seats. “Who was that again?” I ask. “She looks familiar.”
“Mrs. Windward. She is a major donor to The City Ballet. We became close, and she often visited the bakery until a couple of months ago. I wondered what happened, but she moved to the West Coast to follow her daughter since she recently gave birth.” She links our fingers together, then pulls them back quickly.
“What are you doing?” I growl, grabbing her hand again.
“You said we couldn’t touch, Harrison. For god’s sake, get your story straight,” she says with an irritated, mocking tone.
“You know I meant we couldn’t touch how we normally do. I can hold my date’s hand, Juliette.” I step forward and cup her cheek, ready to kiss her without thinking, to show her I don’t care what people say anymore, but then I see him.
Fuck.
Goddamnit, Sebastian.
“Hey, Jules, baby.” I lower my voice. “We need to get out of here.”
She stills, looking at me confused. “What’s wrong? I was only kidding about the hand-holding.”
My heart breaks in two that she thinks this is because of her.
No, my beautiful girl, it’s because my life is complicated, and I can’t have you as mine as I thought.
“Seb is here, and I don’t want any issues between him and me. I thought he was with Claud and my brothers. He must have come back for the event. I’m sorry I dragged you here.”
Her eyes narrow, and her lips pucker with annoyance. “So it’s okay when you bring other women as your date, but when it comes to me, I’m not good enough?” she retorts in a cold, sarcastic tone.
Usually, I love her sass, but we don’t have the time right now.
I bend so we’re eye to eye. “No, Juliette. It’s the complete opposite. I haven’t given two fucks about any of the other women, but one look at us…one glance at how I am with you, Seb will know, and I don’t want to waste a night with you fighting with my brother instead.”
Before she can answer, I escort us out of there while thinking how to save our night.
As we wait for Robert to pull around, Jules is silent, so I take the opportunity to text Lauren to help execute my plan.
After Lauren confirms, I text Robert and instruct him to take the long way so there is time to make it perfect.
Tonight was a harsh reality check that I won’t be able to give her a future, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make the ending of the night what my girl deserves.
14
