Page 32 of Tempted Hearts
Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to, Cole.
“Friendly,” Parker quipped. “And just happened to be divorced, a fact we only know because he made it a point to share that particular fact.”
“I bet he gives free food and wine to all of his customers,” Delaney teased. “He’s actually pretty good looking. Imagine, a boyfriend in Florence.”
I’d rather not, but unfortunately the man in question was heading our way. He was probably in his mid-forties… a good-looking guy who likely hit on more than his share of American tourists.
“How are you liking the wine,bellisima?” he asked Juliette.
“Delicious. Thank you so much for everything,” she said, her smile genuine. That I preferred her smile directed at me than Rico-Suave had me tossing my napkin on the table.
“Excuse me.”
By the time I found the men’s room and headed back, he was gone. It wasn’t until we were a block away that I learned the restaurant owner had taken his shot.
“I can’t believe he gave you his email.” Delaney and Juliette walked in front of us.
When Parker’s hand shot out, slowing us down, I knew what he was going to say before it came out of his mouth.
“Don’t.”
“Park—”
“I’m not kidding. Jules is Delaney’s best friend. I see the way you’ve been looking at her. How annoyed you were tonight.”
“Tell me you want her to contact that guy?”
“And I’m sure Jules is smart enough to tell the difference. Although…” He frowned. “Maybe not. She suddenly seems to have a thing for you.”
I’d have asked, like an eighth grade boy, if he really thought so, if I thought Parker could appreciate the joke.
“There’s nothing going on,” I assured him. “But if you throw us together in a hotel room and expect me not to notice her…” I left it at that, reminding him where this had started.
“Cole,” he said firmly, in a tone I rarely, if ever, heard from good-natured Parker. “You’re a great guy. One of my closest friends. Do I care if you date Juliette? Or better yet, do I get an opinion on it? No. You two are adults. But that’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”
I did. Parker knew my track record with women. He knew I liked sex. A lot. But had an aversion to the morning after.
“Just don’t hurt her.”
“I’ll have you know, not one woman I’ve ever been with has actually been hurt. I mean, not in the traditional sense.”
He wasn’t in the mood for a joke.
“You’re not fucking helping.”
Clearly.
“I won’t hurt her.”
It wasn’t the words but my tone. I was being serious now, and Parker knew it. Our exchanged glance was a contract. No more words were needed.
“Train station is that way.” Juliette stopped at the corner.
Smiling, bubbly, happy.
I shouldn’t have agreed to stay. But it was too late now. I just had to make sure the helium balloon that was Juliette, flying high with a world of possibilities below her, didn’t run into the thorn that was my life.
Arm’s length.
