Page 82 of Backhanded Compliments

Luca sits up next to her and runs her fingers across Juliette’s curls, dusting away the sand. “Who is she dating?”

Juliette shakes her head, more sand spraying over them, and Luca scrunches her nose. “No idea, but she’ll tell us when she’s ready.” She reaches into her satchel for her phone.

PICCOLA POLPETTA

I got all the pictures I want so you’re free to enjoy your “not” date with Luca

Juliette texts her an eyeroll emoji before shoving her phone back into her bag. “Well, shall we go?” She gets to her feet and dusts off her skirt.

Luca holds out her hand and Juliette pulls her to her feet, swaying into her and wrapping her other arm around Luca’s waist.

“Jules,” Luca admonishes softly, but she makes no move to step away.

“Luca,” Juliette teases, tugging her shirt free from her jeans and drawing teasing circles against Luca’s lower back. Luca’s eyes darken, and Juliette has to bite back a smile. “You in these white shirts drives me crazy,” Juliette admits, warmth pooling in her stomach. She slips her hands into Luca’s back pockets and cups Luca’s ass.

Luca snorts. “Says the woman in this skimpy silk thing.” Her cheeks are flushed red.

Juliette jolts as Luca’s hands wrap around her hips, her thumb dipping below the silk, and the warm pool of heat spikes into lightning. Luca’s tongue slides, purposefully along her lower lip, as if she’s remembering the taste of Juliette.

“Come on,” Juliette says, “the sooner we get back to the hotel, the sooner I’ll be out of this outfit.”

Luca lets go, and Juliette barely holds back a whine at the loss of warm contact. Luca must notice her flicker of distress because she leans down and grabs Juliette’s bag. “Let’s go.”

THIRTY-THREELUCA

They sneak through the side door so nobody sees them coming in together.

Luca loves and hates in equal measure the sudden giddiness in her chest. It feels silly, like they’re trying to hide from Juliette’s parents. The back of their hands keep brushing against each other as they make their way toward the rear elevator. Luca discovered earlier that it’s the only one without a glass back wall overlooking Miami.

“Jules! Luca!”

Luca freezes and spins on her heel, pulse pounding in her ears.

It’s only Remi Rowland.

“Hey, guys, can I steal you for a moment?” Remi says as she gets closer. She has a towel thrown over her shoulder and is in a vibrant orange bikini, rivulets of pool water coursing down her body.

Luca can’t quite keep her eyes on Remi. She bounces on her toes, nervous energy radiating around her in waves, as if one touch will jolt her out of her skin. Luca has never seen her like this before, not even during a stressful match.

“Sure?” Juliette says, looking over Remi. “Are you okay?” At least Luca isn’t the only one who noticed.

Remi nods so hard that her braids fling water droplets. “Yes, I’m fine. Well, I’m more than fine.” She glances around the empty hallway with its odd flickering lights. “I wanted to tell you that I took your advice.”

Luca glances at Juliette, confused, but Juliette’s face brightens. “Really? How did it go?”

Remi takes a deep breath. Then, with a blinding smile, she says, “She agreed that we could go public with our relationship. With our family, our friends. For my birthday.”

Juliette gasps and throws her arms around Remi. “That’s brilliant!” Juliette screeches. Remi laughs as she hugs her back.

“It is! God, I’msorelieved.” Remi nods again and can’t seem to stop, making her look like a bobblehead. “So, we’re going to have a boat party. Get it all out in one fell swoop.”

“That’s a great idea,” Juliette says.

“Would you come?” Remi asks, a little loud, like she’s forcing the words out. “And you too, of course, Luca,” she adds.

Luca smiles and nods, still a little unsure of what is happening.

“Of course, Remi,” Juliette says, squeezing her shoulder.

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