Page 66 of Juliet's Echo

I laughed. “That sounds exactly like some shit Yahya would say. But back to answering your question, I also read in the article that there are only thirteen known cases of S.A.P.C.”

Her smile faded into curiosity. I reached out and lightly tapped the tip of her nose. This was officially becoming my love language. Because seeing those eyes flutter every time I touched her there was a high I never wanted to come down from.

“Lucky number thirteen,” I finished.

Probably for the first time in Juliet's life, she didn't have an attitude or a comeback.

Just a stare.

“That’s why?” she asked softly.

“That’s why.”

An awkward silence crept in, not uncomfortable, just expectant. We both knew what all our arguments had really been about. The witty, flirtatious banter we’d danced around. The tension neither one of us had named. And there was a mutual understanding of why I served Nazir the way I did.

The only thing left to discuss was whether Lucky had thought about what I said.

About what it meant to be mine.

“You thought about it?” I asked, giving no context.

“Yup,” she signed.

My heartbeat picked up.

“And?”

She stood and placed her hands on her hips.

“Echo is a permanent factor in my life, but we have an understanding. However, if you want me, you need to ask appropriately. Ultimatums aren't courting. And, you have to tell Echo about us.”

I nodded. Couldn't even argue with that.

“Respect.”

I stood and Juliet immediately narrowed her eyes suspiciously as I walked toward a closet where we stored random things.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Being appropriate.”

The closet door opened and a moment later I emerged holding a large gift bag. It was covered in rockets, planets, astronauts, stars, and every other science-themed image imaginable.

When I turned around, she had the most perfect look of confusion on her face.

Walking back to where she stood, hands still planted firmly on her hips, I dropped down on one knee.

Juliet’s mouth fell open.

“Psalm. What in the world?”

Holding up the heavy gift bag like it was a ring box, I cleared my throat.

“Juliet Everette.”

Her eyes widened.

“Would you give me the honor of being my girlfriend?”