Page 32 of Gator

Julius cleared his throat loudly. “Okay, everyone, focus. Gator’s here because of those assholes who took that guy at the club. You know, the one I saw at the wedding. He’s going to be hanging around today.”

Tori poked her head out from the color bar. “Like, all day?”

“Yes, all day.”

Harper’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “So is he your boyfriend or just your personal bouncer?”

“Neither,” Julius snapped, cheeks flushing, and it took everything in me not to correct him. He was right, though, I wasn’t either, at least not yet.

Migs grinned. “Good to know.”

Julius pointed at Migs. “You have a boyfriend, so behave.”

Migs rolled his eyes and let out a dramatic sigh. I could see why he and Julius were friends. They were a lot alike.

I didn’t say a damn thing. Just picked a spot near the door, where I could see the whole floor and the big glass front windows.

Julius ignored me for all of thirty seconds before drifting back over. “Do you have to stand there looking all imposing and shit?”

“Yes.”

Julius huffed. “Can’t you sit down? Pretend you’re normal? You’re going to scare the customers.”

I glanced around and chose a spot that was out of the way but still gave me a good view out front and of Julius’s station. “I’ll just sit over here.”

“Thank you.” He spun around and headed off to his chair, calling for his first client with a big fake smile.

I watched the rest of them work. They had a rhythm, a dance almost. Harper sang along with the playlist while cutting layers into someone’s hair. Tori consulted nervously over color swatches, but laughed when the client cracked a joke. Migs wandered around, offering opinions no one asked for, but everyone seemed to appreciate. Devon mopped the floor twice, even though it didn’t need it, shooting me anxious glances.

And Julius… Julius was a fucking magician with people. He made them laugh, he teased them, he listened. He touched their shoulders reassuringly or tapped their knees when he wanted them to hold still. Watching him work felt weirdly intimate.

He caught me staring once and raised an eyebrow, lips quirking.

I didn’t look away.

After a while, Migs sauntered over and offered me a coffee in a ridiculous cup withPrincessprinted on the side.

“Really?” I asked.

“It’s the only clean one,” he said cheerfully.

I didn’t believe him, but I took it anyway.

“Julius isn’t good at taking help,” Migs said quietly. “Try to be patient with him.”

I nodded and watched as Migs went back to work. Then I shifted my attention back to Julius. I’d wanted him since the first time I’d seen him at the club, but Migs’s comment made me realize how little I knew about him. Why wasn’t he good at taking help? Why was he so good at putting on a fake smile and acting like nothing was wrong, even when that wasn’t the case at all? That mask was one he seemed way too comfortable wearing if you asked me.

He’d told me that being over-the-top and flirty was his go-to when he was anxious or afraid, but who was the real Julius Petros underneath all of that bravado?

I wanted to know the answers, but now wasn’t the time. Not when someone out there wanted to hurt him.

A little after one, Julius wandered over to where I was sitting.

“My last client just canceled. Do you want to get something to eat?”

“Sure.” I shrugged. “Why not?”

Chapter ten