Page 38 of Romeo

“I hope you’re in the mood for steak,” I tell her with a smile I hope comes off as genuine and not forced since I’m actively trying to pretend like I don’t notice how upset she clearly is.

“It smells really good.”She wraps a cream-colored cardigan more tightly around herself and takes a seat in the other chair.Since it’s nowhere near cool enough for the sweater, I recognize it for what it is: armor.Her way of additionally closing herself off.

“Cooking is one of my superpowers.”

“Oh yeah?And what are your other ones?”A haunted smile graces her face.

“Well, I’ve been told that I’m quite charming.I believe it was Bradyn who told me I could charm a turtle out of its shell.”

She laughs, and I see a bit of that pain melt away.How did I go from not liking this woman to wanting to do anything to make her smile?

Is it because I know how badly I misjudged her and I feel guilty?Or was Lani onto something when she suggested it’s because I’m actually feeling something?I brush that away.She was messing with me; that’s all.Jules is a client, and despite my code name, I’m no Romeo.

“I could see that,” she says.

“Oh?So you think I’m charming.”

“I didnotsay that,” she says, smile faltering just a bit.“Just that I could see how others might find you charming.”

“Nah, too late.I know you’re getting worn down.Careful, Jules, we might just become friends after all of this.”

That smile fades completely.“You don’t need friends like me.”

“I beg to differ.I think everyone could use a strong-willed, honest friend.”

Silence descends around us, and Jules keeps her attention focused on the view ahead.I’d specifically chosen this place for my house because it faces the creek.I can see it weaving in and out of the trees straight ahead.

And between it and my house is my pride and joy: my garden.Right now, I can see my happy cucumbers, lush tomato plants with globes of red already forming on them, a patch of watermelon, and the tips of sweet potato plants.

I can even see my chicken coop from here, and I take a moment to appreciate just how happy they look pecking at the ground below their run.

“So, you cook and garden?”she asks.“Or does someone else take care of that?”

“That’s all me.Something about having my fingers in the dirt—” I laugh.“I guess I never really grew out of that stage.”

“And you have chickens.”She points to the large, cottage-style chicken coop I built two years ago.

“Feathery dinosaurs?Check.”

“Feathery dinosaurs?”She smiles.“I don’t think I’ve ever heard them called that before.”

“Lani used to call them that when she was little.It stuck.”

Silence descends around us with only the sizzling of the steaks between us.

Jules takes a deep breath.“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a place so quiet.”

“No?”

She shakes her head and tucks both hands into her lap.“The world gets so noisy sometimes.I’d go out into my grandfather’s gardens whenever things got too loud, but even still, there was traffic noise in the distance.I can’t hear anything right now.”

She closes her eyes, and I study her, realizing seconds later that I’m staring at her like an awestruck teenager.

Forcing my gaze away, I clear my throat.“What kinds of things do you like to do?Aside from reading?”

“I used to compete in archery.”

Her confession catches me off guard, and I turn to face her.“Really?”