Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
I take a seat, pulling off my boots and socks before rolling my jeans up my calves as far as they can go. I dip my feet in the water right beside hers, and the action from the outside looking in may seem like nothing, but her wanting to spend time with me like this has made my entire year.
The peace only lasts for a few minutes before we're interrupted.
Kayla, the newest girl to enter Juniper House, gives us each a quick hello before sitting on the other side of Juliet and putting her feet in the water as well.
"Someone said every night is like this," Kayla says as she looks across the pool at all the people who have now started making their way out of the clubhouse to mingle and chat outside.
"Not every night," I clarify.
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"I bet the summers are busier, though," she offers. "I'd be out here every second of every day if I lived here all the time."
"It's a lovely place," Juliet says.
"Aleah is going to love it here," Kayla says.
"We don't know how long Cerberus will have us sheltered here," Juliet says softly.
I know her words are a warning for Kayla not to get her hopes up. Child custody during involvement with the court system can take a very long time, even when the parents are working the entire program.
"I know," Kayla says, but there's still a hint of longing in her voice. "I wanted to ask why you're here."
I turn my head too quickly for it to seem casual.
"What do you mean?" Juliet asks.
She's sitting close enough to me that I can sense the way her body stiffens.
"I mean, Victoria isn't staying here. Neither are Denise and Andrea. Why are you here?"
"How old is your daughter?" I ask, trying to take the attention off Juliet.
She isn't obligated to explain her presence, and it's incredibly rude for Kayla to even bring it up, but some people don't understand boundaries.
"She's four," Kayla says with a wide grin. "She's the best thing I've ever done. Do you have kids?"
She leans forward so she can see me around Juliet.
"I don't."
"Do you want kids?"
I pull my eyes from her, the answer a lot deeper than I'd ever sit and have a conversation with her about.
"No," I say as I look back at her.
"Any objection to step kids?" she asks, her eyes dipping down my body, telling me exactly what she's asking.
Juliet tenses again, and I get the feeling that she's going to stand up and leave. This conversation with Kayla is growing increasingly uncomfortable for her.
"I don't want step kids either," I say, the only answer I can think of that assures Juliet I have no interest in this other woman.
"That's a shame," she says, leaning back again, her feet kicking back and forth, causing the water to move. "Know of anyone else here that's single?"
"Cerberus members aren't going to get involved with anyone from the shelter," I assure her, my tone a little too harsh.
I'm not trying to hurt her feelings, but the combination of her interrupting us and then being so brazen about her search for a man has dwindled my patience at the moment.
"Okay," she says in a way that makes me believe she's irritated with either my tone or my response. "Guess we're not good enough."
Instead of waiting for me to assure her that their value isn't the case, she gets up and walks away.
"That went well," I mutter.
"Some women think that a partner will fix everything in their lives," Juliet replies, a sadness in her voice that makes me wish Kayla had never joined us.
She was happy to be out here, all smiles and joking, until the other woman ruined it.
Chapter 42
Juliet
I feel twitchy and uncomfortable as I roll over in bed.
It has nothing to do with the sheets, the mattress's firmness, or any sense of feeling unsafe.
I've been unable to get his words beside the pool earlier out of my head.
Cerberus men aren't going to get involved with anyone from the shelter.
I don't know why it hit me the way it did.
I don't know if I have let my mind consider him mine in some way, but hearing it hurt my feelings.
I'm not out looking for a partner, despite explaining that some women do.
I've spent nearly twelve years alone, and other than the quiet nights alone and limited contact with people other than at work, I haven't longed for someone in my life.
I certainly haven't gone out and looked for someone to share my time with.
I don't know why I felt jealous when Nyx and Kayla started talking, as if I had staked my claim on him somehow, but that feeling was there nonetheless.
I roll over again, growling when I can't seem to settle before rolling back the other way.
I sit up in the bed, my eyes darting to the bedroom door. The fun and socializing lasted for a few hours after I left the pool and went to bed, but things seemed to have settled down substantially.