Page 27 of Romeo

She pops her head out of the bathroom.“I’m ready,” she says quickly before shutting off the light and stepping out in a pale pink dress that falls below her knees.

Her blonde hair falls to just below her shoulders in smooth waves, and she’s painted something delicate and pink on her lips as well as dusted her cheeks in blush.She’s wearing sandals on her feet, and I can see the tips of toes that were probably painted before she was attacked, given there are some chips in the blue polish.

My heart jumps at the sight of her, which infuriates me.

Icannotbe attracted to her.

She’s a client.

And I’ve sworn off any kind of romantic attachment for—well—forever.

So, even as I desperately want to tell her how beautiful she looks, I ignore the urge and go the proverbial ice-cold bucket of water on this moment route.“Your brother called.He knows you’re here.”

Her expression falls, and the light that had been in her eyes fades.“How?You said you wouldn’t tell him.”

“I didn’t.Someone saw us when we got off of the plane.I have someone looking into it.”

She closes her eyes tightly.Does she realize just how much the very air around her changes when Odie is mentioned?“Is he coming out?”

“He wants to talk to you.”I reach into my pocket and withdraw my phone then hold it out.

She reaches out and takes the phone, fingers brushing my palm when she does.“We need to leave for dinner.”

“Call him on the way.”Turning, I head for the door, and she follows me, all the while holding the phone as though it’s a bomb about to blow.I open the door then close it as soon as she’s inside my truck.

By the time I get into the truck, she’s already tapped his contact, and the phone is ringing.

The truck kicks the phone over to Bluetooth right as he answers, “Hello?”

She clings to the phone but doesn’t say anything.

“Jules?”he says, tone shifting to one of concern.“Is that you?”

“Hey, Odie.”

“Jules.”He breathes a sigh of relief that echoes through the speakers of my truck.“Do you have any idea how much you’ve put me through?”he asks.“I’ve been worried sick about you!”

“I’m sorry.I—” She sets the cell aside and toys with her fingers in her lap.

“Grandpa isdead.Can you imagine how I felt when I saw his body but you were gone?I thought you might have been responsible!”

She turns to stare out the window, and I watch as she completely shuts down.I can’t even get myself to put the truck into Drive because I’m so focused on her response to him.Aside from abuse victims, I’ve never seen anyone shut down like this.

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

“I’m sorry you were worried, Odie.I was scared.I made a bad choice.”

“Your life seems to be one bad choice after the other,” he scolds.“But running away from this was a low point, even for you.How much have you had to drink since he died?Are you even sober now?”

I can’t listen to this anymore.“This conversation ends now.You know she’s safe.But I didn’t have her call you so you could sit here and berate her.”

He’s silent.“I didn’t realize she was on speakerphone.”

“Which only makes it worse.Send me what I asked for, and we’ll check back in as soon as we have something.”I press the End Call button on the steering wheel.

Jules is sitting in the passenger seat, arms crossed.

“Are you okay?”