I knew they’d be, all were spotless.
_______________
A Week Later
Looking up at the knock on my door, I called, “Come in.”
Marco opened the door and came in. “Keyboard ain’t her thing, boss.”
I wasn’t surprised. While she’d used the art supplies for hours, the keyboard had gone untouched after the first day.
“She want lessons?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Apparently listening to music is more fun than trying to make it. She’s worried about pissing you off, so she said she was going to work at it.”
His displeasure was clear.
Even after being there as long as she had, she was still skittish. She walked on eggshells. Worst of fucking all, there were times when she braced like she was preparing to get hit. Like she had experience with that.
And I was willing to bet her piece-of-shit father was to blame.
I’d long ago stopped wondering why Juliet didn’t hate me for killing him. The more I learned about her life before me, the more it made sense. One day when she trusted me, I’d make her tell me everything.
And then I’d dig the bastard up and find a way to kill him again.
“Tell her we can return it. No harm, no foul,” I said.
“On it.”
“Has she said what she wants next?”
He shook his head. “I get the feeling she thinks she’s pushed it enough already.”
“Find out and get it for her.”
“On it,” he repeated, leaving the room.
Sweet little dove, still so fucking broken.
Juliet
One Week Later
“To a B.” Ash lifted his Diet Coke float that was mostly vanilla ice cream with only a few drops of Diet Coke.
Sitting on the kitchen counter, I raised my float that was heavy on the Diet Coke and ice cream. “To being done with ratios!”
Vera and Freddy added theirs, clinking the glasses.
“Units of measurement and fractions will be better anyway,” Ash said, holding in a smile that his dimples betrayed. “We’ll get started tomorrow.”
I dropped my head back. “Whhhhhy? Just let me enjoy my treat and pretend we’re done with math forever.”
“Just think,” Freddy said, making quick work of his float instead of savoring it like I was. “Once you learn those, you’ll know how to double and triple ingredients to bake cookies with me.”
Few things could get me excited about math, but cookies did it. Especially if they were sugar cookies coated with sprinkles.
My gaze shot to Ash. “Want to dive in when we’re done? Maybe we can knock off the whole section in one afternoon.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Fine,” I drawled.
Conversation moved from math to the much more exciting topic of favorite cookies. I didn’t speak as I soaked in the happiness surrounding me.
Vera, Ash, and Freddy had busy lives. They had better things to do than to hang around the kitchen, drinking Diet Coke floats with me.
But they took the time to do it anyway. They noticed my hard work and celebrated my accomplishments, even if it was only a B. I’d never had that before, and it made me feel like Freddy’s hot coffee was in my veins, warming me from the inside out.
Conversation cut off as the kitchen door opened suddenly.
Wearing his signature suit and cold expression, Maximo walked to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water before leaning his hip on the counter near where I sat.
I wasn’t expecting to see him. I actually rarely saw him. If he wasn’t at work, he was locked away in his home office.
But at his nearness, shame and arousal bloomed through me in equal measure.
“What’s your favorite cookie, boss?” Ash asked.
I figured he’d say none since he wasn’t big on snacks, but after a long moment, he said, “Chocolate chip, but only the chewy kind.”
“A classic. Though thin and crunchy is superior.” Freddy set his empty cup in the sink and checked his watch. “I’ve got to run. I’m training the chefs not to butcher my beautiful risotto recipe.”
Ash scraped the last of his ice cream before adding his cup to the sink. “I’ve gotta get going, too.” He paused to give my shoulder a squeeze. “Good job again, Juliet,” he said before following Freddy out the door.
Even Ms. Vera was suddenly hellbent on escape, putting down her barely touched float. “That laundry isn’t going to fold itself.”
Oh no, I wonder if they’re in trouble.
I was sure Maximo paid them a lot to do their jobs, not drink floats with me. Maybe he was mad they were sitting around on the clock.
But when I caught a glimpse of Ms. Vera’s profile, it wasn’t fear or nervousness on her