Page 28 of Backhanded Compliments

Juliette gags. “NowIcan’t stand you.”

Leo stirs his cup and takes a sip.

“Please, do not tell me that’s instant coffee.” Juliette might have to die if it is.

Leo smiles apologetically, and he’s almost handsome enough for Juliette to forgive him.

Still, death is more preferable than dealing with an instant coffee lover.

“I’ll make you an espresso, don’t worry, Jules,” Leo soothes as he turns to the espresso machine sitting on the counter behind him. “I have to make one for Tavvy anyway.”

Juliette looks Leo over. “You’re up very early. And very chipper.”

Leo shrugs. “I’m a morning person.” The conversation pauses as Leo grinds a double shot and takes his time tamping it down. “Sort of comes with the territory.”

“I mean, yeah, I have to be up early a lot, but that doesn’t mean I like it,” Juliette grumbles. None of the Ricci family are morning people—the only trait they all share.

Leo turns around and slides the double shot over the island to Juliette. “It’s nice to be up with the sun,” he says as he starts making another for Octavia. “And I meant I got up early as a kid to work in my parents’ shop.”

“Oh, right,” Juliette says, realizing she should have remembered. Unlike a lot of the people on the tennis tours, Leo hadn’t come from money and a fancy club.

The conversation cuts off as Octavia comes stumbling into the kitchen. She blinks, confused at seeing Juliette. “What the hell are you doing up?”

“Good morning to you too,” Juliette says, sipping her espresso delicately.

“I was going to bring this up to you,” Leo says, holding out the demitasse cup to her.

“Thank God for you,” Octavia says, tugging on his wrist and dragging him into a quick kiss.

Juliette busies herself by taking another sip of espresso to ignore the uncomfortable wriggling in her stomach. It seeps over her tongue, hot and bitter, waking up her body and mind. Sometimes she wishes she could inject espresso straight into her veins.

“No, seriously, Jules, what are you doing awake? Usually we have to drag your ass out of bed.”

Juliette looks up at Octavia, who lifts a dark brow, as if she knows what Juliette was doing last night. She tries not to flush at the memory of Kacic’s skin beneath her hands, hot and trembling. “Maybe I wanted to wake with the sun,” she lies, glancing sideways at Leo.

Leo, wisely, keeps his mouth shut and sips his coffee again.

Octavia rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Keep your secrets.” She turns to the fridge and pulls it open. “Did you get Claudia her energy drinks?”

Thanks,Juliette mouths to Leo, who winks. “Not the peach flavor she loves, but there is a blue raspberry one.”

“She’ll have to deal then,” Octavia says, grabbing it and sauntering out of the kitchen.

Leo leans on the kitchen island. “Are you all right?” he asks again, so achingly sincere that Juliette’s guilt triples, swelling in her gut.

“It’s nothing that I can’t handle,” Juliette says, brushing her thumb along the edge of her cup.

Leo sighs. “But you don’t have to deal with it alone. This week is supposed to be about having fun, and you seem off.”

Juliette looks back up at Leo. Even though Leo is like family, she won’t even tell her sisters what happened with Kacic. “I’m fine, really.Don’t worry. You need to focus on your next tournament. Queens, right?”

“Is this about clay season?” Leo ignores her question. “Because those losses were—”

“No,” Juliette cuts Leo off sharply, even though she can’t help but feel that Leo is partially correct. “No, it isn’t. Thanks for the coffee.” She slides off the stool, effectively ending the conversation.

LUCA

For the first time in months, Luca wakes up refreshed. It’s a strange sensation. She glances at her shoulders and back and blinks.

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