Page 17

17

JULIET

Romeo

Happy Thanksgiving

Any plans today?

I jumped when my phone vibrated. Only one person texted me these days, and my heart was already pounding as I pulled it out from the couch cushions where it had fallen.

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling when I saw Romeo’s text. We hadn’t talked at all since two nights ago when he’d accidentally called me. I kept running over our conversation in my mind… the low, soothing way he’d said sweet dreams .

They hadn’t been sweet that night or the following. They never were. But when they ripped me from sleep, I’d replayed our conversation in my mind, trying to memorize his words.

Juliet

Not really. Thanksgiving isn’t really my thing

What about you?

At least, it hadn’t been for the past couple of years. The last Thanksgiving I celebrated was before everything happened. Breanna, Vivian, Daniela, and I had gone to this hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant in Harlem near our group home. It was owned by an older couple, and throughout the years, we’d gotten to know them, their kids, and their grandkids. Viv translated their Mandarin when needed and taught us phrases to say in return.

That Thanksgiving, we’d stayed late into the night as we laughed and talked about school and internships and our dreams for the future, not knowing that everything would fall apart shortly after and we’d never return to that Chinese restaurant again.

Romeo

It’s not a huge thing for me, either. My mom always said she didn’t understand why she should spend so long cooking a turkey when we could have pasta

Juliet

I’m having pasta for dinner

Spaghetti from a box and sauce from a jar. Somehow I didn’t think that’s how Romeo’s mother would do it.

Romeo

I knew you had good taste

* * *

Romeo

How’s your day going?

Juliet

Ugh people are so annoying today. Books are so much better.

Romeo

What are people doing?

Juliet

This guy just came into the bookstore and was so condescending talking to me about how romance books aren’t “real literature” blah blah blah. And I just had to be polite.

Romeo

What’s his name, baby?

Juliet

*snort* Why, are you going to hunt him down and yell at him?

Romeo

Yes

Juliet

You’re cute

* * *

Romeo

Tell me something good

Juliet

I’m about to do laundry so it’s full on despair over here

Romeo

Didn’t you just do laundry?

Juliet

Oh right, I forgot you don’t know about laundry. You have to do it more than once a year.

I stared at Romeo’s responding dots, chewing my lip as I waited for his text to come through. Had my message been too rude?

Romeo

Brat. Just buy more clothes instead of doing laundry. Perfect solution

I grinned. No one had ever called me a brat, and maybe I liked it when Romeo said it.

Juliet

Wow, what brilliance

Romeo

I know

* * *

Juliet

Romeo.

Romeo

Juliet.

Juliet

You can’t do this

Romeo

Do what?

Juliet

Don’t even try to be coy. It’s not cute.

Romeo

I’m always cute

And so are you.

I stared at the massive pile of brand-new clothes on my bed. It had taken multiple trips from the mailroom to bring up all the packages—none with a return address or receipt.

They were all perfect. It was mostly winter clothes—soft, cozy sweaters more luxurious than anything I’d ever owned, fleece-lined leggings, wool socks, and a gorgeous emerald green peacoat. But there were also two pairs of jeans that fit perfectly , a green jumpsuit that almost felt like velvet, a floor-length black sequin dress with a high slit up the side, and an abundance of lacy bras, underwear, and bodysuits. Tears dripped down my face as I ran my fingers over an especially soft sweater.

Juliet

I can’t keep this

My phone vibrated, but instead of a text, Romeo was calling me. I considered declining the call, but in the end, I answered.

“You’re keeping all of it,” he said, jumping in without small talk. “Unless you don’t like something. Then I’ll get you a replacement.”

“You can’t,” I said weakly.

His low chuckle made me shiver even through the phone. “I certainly can.”

“But this isn’t something friends do.”

“Sure it is, beautiful.”

“Friends buy you piles of lingerie?” I snapped.

“Mmm, I picked those out myself. Do you like them?”

“Romeo,” I said, exasperated.

“Juliet. Be a good girl and say thank you .”

“Thank you.”

He laughed at my sullen tone, and it warmed me from the inside out. I still didn’t feel like I could accept the clothing as a gift from a friend , but it made me feel so special. I blinked as tears dripped down my cheeks.

“Angel?” Romeo’s laugh cut off immediately. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I sniffed as I wiped my tears.

“Talk to me.” I couldn’t resist his gentle words.

“This is just really thoughtful.” I sniffed again. “And I have no idea how you got my sizes right.”

“I just couldn’t bear to listen to you complain about laundry again.”

A watery laugh burst from my chest and the heaviness lifted. “So this is a selfish gift?”

“Completely selfish.”

I was still smiling when I got off the phone.