Page 61 of Tempted Hearts
“Untethered isn’t the same as free,” I said. “Sometimes it just means you don’t know what would happen if you stopped moving.”
She studied me, really looked at me this time. “You don’t ever stop, do you?”
The question landed squarely in my chest.
“I’m not very good at it,” I admitted.
The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. It was charged. Like something fragile had been set carefully between us, neither of us willing to touch it but both aware it existed.
“This trip,” she said, almost to herself. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
“No,” I agreed. “It wasn’t.”
Her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass. “But I’m glad it was.”
So was I.
Too glad.
“We should probably head in,” I said, even though I didn’t move. “We have an early flight.”
She nodded, though she lingered a second longer, eyes flicking to mine as if searching for something she didn’t quite ask for.
I opened the door for her and followed her inside, the warmth of the room replacing the night air but doing nothing to ease the tension coiled tight between us.
“Mind if I change first?” Juliette asked, already grabbing her clothes and heading into the bathroom with the ease of someone comfortable with the answer.
“Of course not,” I said, watching her disappear.
I poured myself a final Prosecco, sitting down in the plush chair that was too inviting to pass up. When she came out, hair piled on top of her head, our eyes met once again. I took a long sip, allowing my gaze to peruse her from head to toe.
“Ever hear the term mixed signals?”
I laughed. “I have, and I can’t even defend myself. If I were a different man, if you and Delaney weren’t best friends, if Delaney wasn’t engaged to one of my best friends…” I let the rest linger.
“I know. And to be honest, I have no desire to nurture a broken heart. Been there, done that. Enough to be able to discern the signs well in advance.”
I shouldn’t ask, but we were so far gone anyway. “The signs being?”
She climbed into bed, pulling the plush covers over her and propping the pillows up to sit and talk. “Feeling like I have been these last few days—with someone completely emotionally unavailable to me.”
I wished I could have disagreed with her. Instead, I drained the rest of my drink and stood. Without a word, I fished out a pair of boxers and my toiletry bag. As I prepared for bed, even though I could see her in the vanity mirror behind me, I didn’t say another word.
It was only when I headed back out and pulled a spare blanket and pillow from the closet that Juliette spoke again.
“I like you without your glasses. I like you with them too—very distinguished. But without them… Anyway, I’m going to stop talking now.”
I shut off the lights, leaving only Juliette’s bedside lamp on. “I have contacts too.”
“So why do you wear your glasses all the time?”
That was a very personal question, but I answered anyway. “Just one more shield between me and the world.” I smiled in the dark. “And I agree—they do make me look distinguished.”
She laughed. “Guess we should get some sleep.”
I looked up.
With Juliette’s lamp still on, I could see her in the ceiling mirror that covered our entire bedroom. It didn’t take her long to look up.
