Page 74 of Forever Not Yours

“Of course you do, Jules. Maybeyouneed some time off?” I suggested. “That is allowed, you know. A holiday. Go sun yourself somewhere.”

“Like with who? I mean? My friends think I’ve gone mad, and nobody returns my calls because who the hell wants to hear the sob story of delusional Juliet who thought Bash would marry her?”

Okay. Breathe, Jake.

“Bastien needs to rest. He’s doing well, but he’s still not sleeping, and things stress him out, and we’re just getting on top of his blood sugars, and the new pumpis doing the trick, I think. Give him another week, yeah?”

“I don’t have another week,” she growled.

“You do. And you know what?”

“I still hate you. Why do I hate you, Jake? Yes, I hate you because you stole him, and I should be as far away from you as I can possibly get. Or maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should just claw your eyes out. But you know what? I can’t because I haven’t had time to get my nails done in weeks because I’m trying to snag this Blumenberg contract and it’s killing me. So instead of working, I’m sitting here talking to you, because I have no one else who understands all this absolute crap I’m going through.”

Okay. Breathe, Juliet.

“I do understand. And, Jules, lovely. Listen. I get it. Calm down. I’m right here, trust me. I’ve got you. It’s all going to work out. I don’t mind you taking it out on me if it helps.”

“It helps,” she shot in. I could hear her breathing hard, then swallowing something down.

“I’m honoured that I get to be your very own personal rage room. Just shout at me. Hurl abuse. I can take it.”

“Bastard,” she huffed. Then she laughed. “How do I sleep better at night? I have no clue. I go to bed, and everything just gets to me.”

“Decaf, Juliet. No wine after six o’clock, no screentime before bed, and open the window. Cool air.”

“You’re no fun, and I’m not eighty, Jake.”

“Neither am I, but trust me. You need to step back, just a little. Take control.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?”

“You don’t need Bastien to take control.”

“People listen to him. They’re scared of him. Even Kieron thinks he’s terrifying. Also, I need wine in the evenings. I don’t get home until nine. What am I supposed to do? Gulp wine from the bottle on the Tube so I don’t drink after your curfew?”

“Terrifying.” I had to smile. “All of it. No wine on the Tube, it’s not a good look for you.”

She laughed again, snorting and then clearly taking a sip of wine.

“You drinking in the office after hours, Juliet?”

“Too bloody right! Look what I’ve become. A neurotic mess who drinks at work, albeit after hours, and needs my ex to come in and keep my staff in line. What happened to Juliet Delaware? I used to be stronger. I used to be able to run this place in my sleep. Now, though?”

“You’re doing well, Juliet. You’re strong. And I’m really happy that you’re talking to me, because God knows, I need this too. I need you to be my friend, and I need you to rant at me, and I one hundred percent need you to go home now.”

Her laughter was bitter, but at the same time, she did as she was told, as I could hear her stand up and grab her bag, followed by the sound of the lift arriving. She sighed heavily. I hoped she was all right to drive because the alternative was terrifying, which I scolded her about, but she assured me she’d only had one glass. She wasn’t a complete fool.

And there was nothing terrifying about Bastien, I reminded her. Or maybe there was. I got the absolute presence he had. How people looked at him and took a step back. In that suit with that scowl on his face? Yes. He could be terrifying, like now, when he wasnaked on the sofa, carefully removing his pump and his tubing and then sitting back and giving me a wink.

Thatwas terrifying. Thrilling. It’s what I lived for.

“Listen,” I said sternly. “Juliet, you’ve got this. And whoever walked out today doesn’t deserve to work for you. You’re brilliant. You know this, and do you know why?”

“No,” she sulked.

“Because I hurt you, and Bastien hurt you and you’re still here talking to me, and that? That is bravery and kindness on a whole different level.”

“It’s just humanity. Because you’re you and I’m me, and I need someone in this world to keep me sane.”

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