Page 28 of Roman and Jules
And that was saying a lot. Working marketing at Monty Hugh was a dream job. He’d inherited his father’s passion for the business. The creative ideas always flowed, but he enjoyed working with the numbers and watching the profits go up as his team found new ways to reach the customer.
Today he watched the clock. The hands were nearing four, which was as close to five as he was going to get. During a normal workday, cutting out that early, let alone at five, just wasn’t a thing, but his hands drummed against the desk as he finished his call from the corporate office. The hodgepodge of quality restaurants and rundown casinos of the city blurred through the window in front of him as he tried to remember whether Jules had band practice that night.
“And bring the analytics’ report to the meeting tomorrow,” he heard Mr. Guard say on the other line.
Roman grimaced and forced himself to focus. “Yeah, got it.” His wandering mind was becoming a bad habit. Roman slid his phone into his pocket and gathered his things under his arm to sneak out of his office.
The long hall outside was an artistic blend of gold and cream framework with soft lights dripping from the ceiling. The modern design of the Monty Hugh office had a Vegas feel without the gaudiness. It was also entirely made up of glass windows where anyone could look up from their desks and spy him making his escape. He just hadn’t been expecting Ty to do it.
His cousin shot out of accounting and blocked his way. He was dressed impeccably in a gray suit, looking as fresh and put together as if he’d just started the day—which he probably had. “Oh, didn’t see you,” Ty said.
Roman doubted it. It was no accident meeting here like this; Monty Hugh was far from the Capulet office.
“Leaving early?” Ty asked with a sneer.
Roman’s mouth curved up. “I’ve gotsomeonewaiting for me.”
Ty glowered, but he hadn’t started any physical altercations so far. Both of them were too conscious of the details of their aunt’s will, unfortunately.
Roman’s plan might be backfiring on him, but he found himself caring less about Ty and more about Jules. That didn’t mean that he wouldn’t try to push Ty to his breaking point. “I’ve got to go,” he told him with a sarcastic wink, “we’ve got a long night planned in front of the fire.”
“Really? Has she written a song for you too?” Ty raised an eyebrow at Roman’s questioning look. “So that’s a ‘yes?’ Does it bother you that everything you’ve shared together is a repeat of what she’s done with me, like the Chapel del Frate? She only took you there after I refused her. Poor girl keeps settling for second best.”
So… Ty wasn’t getting through to Jules? Why else would he be here trying to get at Roman instead? The thought filled him with pleasure. “Hey, buddy, whatever keeps you happy in your cold apartment at night.” Roman had Jules—well, until band practice anyway. Laughing, he made to move away.
Ty’s voice stopped him. “Jules texted a few minutes ago; shelovesthat dog of yours, always talking about him, maybe more than she brings up you. Not that you don’t come up. I get a play-by-play narration of your day 24-7. Nothing too romantic, but that’s typical married life, not much going on.”
Roman treated him to a long stare, his fists curling. It took him a minute to get what was happening. Ty was trying to get him to fight in the middle of the glass office with multiple witnesses. His mother was probably paying him overtime for it.
Ty pressed on. “I hope Jules is getting me out of her system, but she writes me so much that I’m not sure. There’s nothing that happens between you that I don’t know about. I’m the fly on your wall, Roman.”
Just one punch.Roman took a deep breath. “Enjoy the view. It’s all you’ll get.”
“Roman!” His father scrambled out of his office, looking out of breath. His collar was loose over his pinstriped suit and he looked like he’d run a marathon to get out there. He must’ve seen the murder in his son’s eyes from where he sat. “In my office now.”
Ty’s eyes narrowed, but it was over—they both knew it now that the older Verona was there—and Ty strutted away without a word. Monty Hugh’s attention was only on Roman and he gestured him into his office. Reluctantly, Roman went inside.
His father slammed the door and with a tap of a button, shut the blinds for good measure. “Sit.”
“No, I’d rather stand.” There was no way Roman could stay still after what happened. At his father’s badgered look, he shrugged. “No offense.”
A snarl of irritation met his words. “You don’t tell me much. It was bad enough finding out you were married by watching the news. I could’ve missed it—I never turn on the TV.”
“That’s what I was banking on.”
His father startled him by letting out a bellowing laugh. “I wish your mother was alive. She’d know what to do about this. Look, I… I know I haven’t really been there for you, but, I’d like to think I raised a good man. I did, it’s just…” Where was he going with this? Roman watched him nervously as his father cleared his throat. “I don’t get along with my sister too much. Maybe I haven’t been the best example to you.”
Roman quickly rose to his father’s defense. “You’ve been fine,” he growled.
“Yeah, but I haven’t shown you how to be the better man. What I mean… you like that woman, don’t you?”
“Jules? Yes?”
“Yes?‘Yes!’Say it with more conviction. Stand behind what you’ve done.”
Roman watched him doubtfully now. “What are you getting at?”
“I might have a feud going on with my sister, but I’ve never let it get in the way of what I want. Ty goes low, but he doesn’t control you. Got it? Don’t let whatever quarrel you’ve got going on with him get in the way of what you have with her.”
