Page 171 of Burning Daylight

“You’d still be you. Still Juliette. You’d just be her…somewhere else for a little bit. Somewhere we get to choose.Free.”

He cups my cheek and I lean into his touch like it’s the only thing keeping me steady.

Somewhere we get to choose. Free.

How long have I ached for that?

“Could we really come back someday?” I whisper.

His jaw tenses. “I can’t promise that. But I promise I won’t stop trying. And we’d be different. Stronger.”

A pregnant pause.

“Together.”

The light dims after he says it, reality creeping in like it always does. “But your father…”

“I don’t care about him.” His voice is adamant. His tone is sure. But I don’t believe it for a second.

I shake my head. “What if you lose him? What if I take you from time you’ll never get back?”

He presses a finger to my lips.

“I’m choosing you,” he says. “Please. Let me choose you.”

I want to. God, I want to. But fear clutches at my ribs.

“Don’t let the what-ifs ruin our happy ending, Juliette.” He smooths the crease between my brows, his touch like a promise. “Don’t let the bad thing win.”

And that does it. There’s a steady ache in my chest, spreading outward and wrapping me in its heady claws. It’s heartbreak mixed with hope, and that’s a devastating cocktail.

“You’re sure Freddy will help?” I ask.

He nods.

I twist in his arms until he’s cradling me, and I lift my hand up, pressing it to his cheek. His gaze is open, and full, andeverything. I see our future in his eyes.

“My only love sprung from my only hate,” I murmur, caressing his face.

His gaze flickers, and I let my thumb trail down to his jaw. His stubble scrapes against my skin.

“Okay, Trouble,” I whisper. “Let’s climb the walls they built for us, and get our happy ending.”

44

ROMAN

“Why are you willing to help Juliette and me?”

I don’t waste time mincing words, because I need to know that Frederick will help us. There’s a charity gala tonight, one that the entire town is going to be at, and one that my father has requested I attend.

It will be my last hurrah. And Juliette’s. After she agreed to my reckless plan, we worked on logistics.

“When will we go?”

“The VU Founders’ Gala is this weekend. Let’s play our parts until then. Give time for you to talk to Freddy. And then we’ll slip away.”

Frederick rubs his chin. “Because I believe you two are the key. The match that will light the flame and burn down the feud, or perhaps…the balm to finally end it.”