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My chest burned.Was this…jealousy?
I didn’t have time for that.
With a sigh, I left the diner and watched as Juliette and Bella got into the driver’s car.Mine was waiting on the other end of the parking lot.Just like that, we were going to part ways, and this lunch date would be over.
Just as Juliette was about to duck in, I made the decision to follow her.
“Auntie Lux!What are you doing?”Bella asked, a small frown on her face.
“What?I can’t spend time with my niece?’
Bella pouted.“It’s just… You’ve never seen me off to school before.”
I could feel Juliette's staring at me, but I couldn’t meet her gaze.
“Today is different,” I said with a huff.I met Marci’s eyes in the rearview mirror.“Drop her off and then drive me back here.I left my car.”
“Yes, sir.”
The car ride was silent.Obviously, my presence was interrupting their little routine, and neither Bella nor Juliette knew what to say.
Is my presence really that awkward?
When we got there, Juliette got out of the car with Bella and stood outside, watching her go in.
Bella paused for a second to send me a small wave, and my chest felt warm.Even more so when I waved back at her and a small smile was on her lips before she turned and ran inside.
Only when Juliette got back into the car and we were alone did I come to regret my decision.The space suddenly felt too small.Too tight.
I didn’t know what to talk to her about.Didn’t know where to start.
The driver was already pulling away and heading back to the diner.
“What will you do after this?”Juliette asked casually, as if the tension between us wasn't stifling.
“Work,” I said a bit too harshly.I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat.“I have a few meetings.Some with the board.Another with the head of marketing.And then right before I left, someone decided to tell me that they fucked up majorly on one of the transparency reports.After that, I’ll be home.”
“I know you’re some big shot CEO… But what about having dinner with Bella?”
I looked at Juliette, our eyes catching.I hadn’t realized I was leaning closer and closer until our faces were almost touching.
“She has Gina,” I murmured.“I'll be honest.I'm not much of a cook.”
Juliette gave me a look before looking away and shaking her head.
“I mean as company.But that’s okay, I’ll be there anyway.”
I paused at her words.They made me feel uneasy.
“What do you mean?”I asked.“Should I be there?”
Juliette was silent for a moment before she looked at me.
“It would be best for the family to eat together.Good for you and her to bond.I can tell she’s been feeling a bit lonely.”
My chest twisted.I couldn’t remember having dinner with anyone other than for business.I would usually come home late and have no time to eat, so I grabbed something quick and called it a day.
Even back when I was younger and still living with my mother, I would desperately try to skip mealtimes because I never wanted to talk to her.My sister was different.She would go to every single meal.