“I…” I’ve just never found someone who made me picture a relationship like I do with her. I can see us together in the future, see her laughing at my stupid dad jokes and greeting me each morning with a kiss. “I do.”
He pats me on the shoulder. “Look at you, man. I’m happy for you.”
I would be more content if I knew Juliet wanted the same thing. “Did you miss the part when I said she’s against love?”
“I think everyone says that at some point, but very few people truly believe it,” Grant says.
“I can’tmake her want something she doesn’t believe in.”
Grant tosses his can into the trash with perfect aim. “Of course not. But if you ask me, I think she does. She’sjust too scared to let it happen. She’s only seen the bad. Show her the good.”
I look at my best friend. He’s seen a lot of bad in his life, which was why he practically lived at our house growing up. But he’s happy being a part of our family.
Maybe I could show Juliet that as well.
“Bring her to the company party tonight,” Grant says.
I rub my stomach, still feeling the effects from last year’s party. The food was delicious goingdownbut quite the opposite coming up. And it came up… a lot.
“I kind of like her. I’d rather not poison her.”
Grant waves off my concern. “Your dad hired a different caterer this year, I’m sure.”
I only have one more date with Juliet, and I don’t want to waste it on the work party. I guess I could try a trick play.
It can’t be counted as a date if I don’t ask her to come.
***
It was surprisingly easy to convince Juliet’s best friend Karli to trick Juliet into the car and then leave her at an undisclosed location after dark.
I know how that sounds, but Juliet will be fine. And if all goes well, I get a bonus date.
Two headlights appear down the street, and I duck behind the gazebo’s beam, my hands jittery with anticipation.
The car stops, and one door opens. I hold my breath until I hear the second one open and close.
“Karli, I don’t care about a gazebo. If I see a creeper anywhere, I’m not sticking around to save you,” Juliet says, but Karli doesn’t stop.
“Believe it or not, you’re not always at risk of being captured and killed,” Karli says and stomps into the gazebo.
“Says you,” Juliet grumbles, her steps much softer than Karli’s. She must be a few feet behind. “Actually, the mathematical probabilit—”
I push away from the wooden beam. “Hey.”
Juliet, who was supposed to be a good four feet away, screams and launches herself at me like a rabid dog.
Her knee connects with my groin, and a blinding pain drops me to the ground.
“Run!” Juliet screams to Karli. “Don’t get up, you perv. I’m calling 9-1-1.”
I’m hunched over in pain, clearly not going anywhere. I manage a pathetic noise, but it does nothing to plead my case.
“I’m not sure where I am—”
“Juliet!” Karli interrupts Juliet’s conversation with dispatch. “Stop, it’s Michael.”
“No, it’s the police,” Juliet responds. “Yes, I’m still here,” she says into the phone.
