Page 51 of Juliet's Echo

She wore an olive-green racerback shirt, denim capri jeans, and a single Cuban-link anklet gracing the completion of the look along with Fendi slides.

Her skin looked youthful, plump, and hydrated.

Her lips carried a natural sheen.

Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail secured by one of those clear ball holders she always wore.

My palms immediately moistened at the sight of her, at how beautiful she looked in this laid-back element, like I was catching her in a moment not meant for anyone else. I wished I had flowers to hand her right then, just because. I could feel my cheeks rising from the smile forming on my face, and then quickly, the smile died because I remembered.

For two weeks, she had avoided me like the plague. She didn’t even have the gall to insult me for prying into her business. Hell, slap me for embarrassing her. Something. But nope, nothing. And here she was, polished, peaceful, not a stress line on her forehead, enjoying the world as it evolved around her. Meanwhile, I was standing there holding what felt like a pity contract. A quiet thank-you. Ahere, take this for your time.

My jaw tightened.

I turned my head, fully intending to leave the building.

My feet never moved.

Fuck that.

She was going to see me.

I took a deep breath, calming my nerves, and caught Kendall's attention. I gave a slight nod toward the room Juliet was in, and she immediately made a hesitant face.

I shook my head playfully and smiled, letting her know without words that this wasn't a bag-the-pretty-girl moment.

Kendall held up five fingers and mouthed,five minutes, letting me know my time was limited.

I winked and made my way toward Little Miss Unbothered.

The moment she saw me, surprise flashed across her face. Then guilt. Maybe even remorse. But before I could make it all the way to the door, there it was.

Attitude.

Always fucking attitude.

I stepped inside and let the door shut behind me.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Nah,” I replied. “You helped me enough.”

“Excuse me?”

Her brows immediately pulled together as if she didn’t know exactly why I was standing there. I tossed the folder onto the desk she was working at and watched her eyes drop to it.

“You got me this deal.”

Her eyes lifted from the folder back to me.

“You got the deal?” she questioned.

Oh, so she wanted to play stupid.

Now I was pissed.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what, boy?”