“You could have lied. Made something up.”
“No, I couldn’t.” I move closer. “Not to you. Never to you.”
She turns to me as I push open the door to our room. “Yeah, but you didn’t have to?—”
“I know you’re scared,” I say, cutting her off gently. “I know this is happening fast and it’s complicated and probably not what you planned. But JuJu...” I reach out and frame her face with both hands. “I’m all in. Whatever this is, wherever it goes. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Even though I’m a disaster?”
“Especially because you’re a disaster. We match.” I brush my thumbs across her cheekbones. “Plus, you already agreed to get me that collar, so we’re pretty much official now.”
She laughs, the sound breaking through the tension. “I did not agree to that.”
“I distinctly heard you agree. Owen was there. He’s a witness.”
“Owen was counting maple candies and having war flashbacks to Olivia’s wedding planning binders.”
“Still counts.” I let my hands drop. “I’m going to change. Rehearsal dinner tomorrow is going to be interesting.”
“That’s one word for it.”
In the bathroom, I splash water on my face and think about how easy it would be to just keep doing this forever. Share hotel rooms and inside jokes and have her look at me like I’m something worth keeping.
When I come out, she’s already in bed. Eyes closed, breathing even.
Fake sleeping again. She’s getting better at it, but her eyelash twitches give her away.
I grin and climb in on my side, leaving space between us.
“Goodnight, JuJu. Thanks for staking your claim on me today.”
No response, but I swear I see her mouth twitch like she’s fighting a smile.
Within five minutes, she’s migrated across the bed. Her head finds my chest, that spot that’s officially hers now. Her leg hooks over mine. Her hand splays across my ribs. And she sighs in her sleep.
I wrap my arm around her and stare at the ceiling.
Three more days of wedding events. The rehearsal dinner tomorrow. The wedding Saturday. Then Sunday brunch.
But right now, with her warm against me and her breath evening out into real sleep, I’m not thinking about Monday.
I’m thinking about how I’m completely in love with her.
And how I’m pretty sure she’s starting to love me back.
17
JULIETTE
I wake up alone.
For a second I lie there, disoriented by the emptiness. The sheets on Rodriguez’s side are cool to the touch, the bathroom door is open, no sound of water running. Just silence and muted Toronto traffic outside.
He’s not here.
My phone says it’s 8:53 AM. Friday, February 14th.
Valentine’s Day.
