Michael laughs. “Like she could pull one over on us.”
My new goal in life is to help Lennox do just that. But that would require sticking around and forming a relationship. Relationships come with commitment. And commitments get broken.
There’s a light tickle against my neck, and my body goes limp against Michael’s soft touch.
Maybe for tonight, I’ll let myself believe I can give him the relationship he wants. Let myself want it too. I’ll lie to my inner voice until she leaves me alone.
Chapter 18
Michael
One more date. I have one date left with Juliet. But I want more. A lifetime of dates with her wouldn’t be enough.
I thought bringing her home would be intimidating or awkward. I didn’t know if I was ready for that. But I was surprised by how much I liked having her there. I don’t know how to explain it, but she fit in a space I never knew was empty.
I look up from my clipboard as Grant walks into the break room.
“Hey,I was just coming to find you,” I say.
“What’s up?” He grabs a soda from the fridge and sits down.
“I was going over the plans for that job in Mesa, and one of the cabinets was built wrong. I’ve got Harris working on the new one now, so don’t head out until he’s got it.”
Grant just stares at me, with no acknowledgment of what I said.
“What?” I ask.
“Sorry, I’m just surprised you weren’t out there rebuilding it yourself. It’s good to see you delegating.” He tips his soda toward me.
I frown. “I guess.” That’s what a foreman does. And I want the job, so I might as well start now.
He shakes his head and takes a sip of his drink. “So, you and Juliet. Seems like the real deal.”
I put my clipboard on the table and stretch my back out against the chair.
“That’s how it would seem.” But that stupid expiration date is inching closer and closer. After the dinner with my family, I hoped it might go away, but when I dropped her off at home, she practically ran inside before I could even think about kissing her. I don’t understand. One minute, she’s okay with my arm around her, the next, she’s avoiding me like the plague.
“Are you in love with her?” Grant asks, his expression every bit as serious as it usually is.
If I say yes, then it will make everything more real. But I can’t say no because that’s simply not true.
“I… don’t know yet.”
“You’ve got some time.” Grant drains the rest of the soda.
I laugh. I have two weeks left for Sean’s deal, but it doesn’t matter if he gave me two years. Juliet is determined to keep me at arm’s length no matter what I do.
“I don’t know if time will do it.” I pick up my pen and draw pointless circles next to the job details. I feel like that’s all I’m doing right now—moving in a pointless circle, waiting for Juliet to let me move forward.
He shakes his head. “What do you mean?”
I sigh. “Her parents are divorced, and I think she’s afraid of ending up like them. I don’t know if she even believes in love or if she wants a relationship.”
If only she could see not everyone is like her parents. Thatsheisn’t like her parents.
“And you do?”
This is far from the regular break room discussions. But I know Grant isn’t trying to goad me like is Sean’s usual purpose.
