Page 28 of Star Crossed
“It kinda sounded like it too,” Jules admitted as she came up to Wyatt and fell into step next to him. There really was no point in denying what was blatantly obvious. “But he can’t really be held responsible—I’m irresistible to men.”
Wyatt laughed. “I guess that business meeting did work. You certainly got some spunk to your step today.”
“Yeah,” Jules agreed, unable to help smiling. “If I could arrange a business meeting like that on a regular basis, I’d probably be a lot more agreeable.”
“Well, shit, gimme that boy’s number.”
Jules giggled and then bumped into Wyatt on purpose, making him trip. He righted himself effortlessly and then kicked at the back of Jules’s shin, making her stumble.
Jules poked him good-naturedly in the ribs, and Wyatt laughed again. “Hell, I’d pay him to make you more agreeable. Too bad he lives so far away.”
“You’re not kidding.” Jules sighed, the sadness welling up again despite her playful bout with Wyatt.
He obviously sensed her sudden change of mood in a way only a twin could, and leaned in when they walked past the sliding glass door, saying, “You got to admit, it’s like the Jersey Shore just landed in Las Vegas.”
Jules turned around, seeing Romeo and part of his team. Their shoulders were stiff in defensiveness. Romeo’s brow was furrowed above his sunglasses, and he gave a slight shake of his head as if silently trying to convey something to Jules. One of the guys flanking his brother stepped forward before Jules could fully comprehend they’d heard Wyatt’s comment.
Sheer malice shone in the short, stocky Italian’s dark eyes as he glared in their direction. “What’d you just say?”
Wyatt frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah, you, Forrest Gump.” He tilted his head in their direction expectantly. “I asked you what the fuck you just said.”
Wyatt’s eyes widened and turned to Jules to give her a look of incredulousness. “What the hell did he just call me?”
“Just ignore him,” Jules said passively. “You shouldn’t have opened your darn mouth to begin with.”
She looked to Romeo in panic just as he reached out and swatted the back of his brother’s head. “Nova, turn Gino off!”
Wyatt stepped forward menacingly before Nova or anyone else had a chance to intervene. Using his size to his advantage, Wyatt looked down at Gino. “You better check your attitude.”
“No, I don’t think I will,” Gino said, confrontational and crass despite Wyatt having at least seven inches and fifty pounds on him. He threw out his chest, making it obvious he was looking for a fight. “What’re you gonna do about it?”
“Listen, boy, I could kick your ass blindfolded with one arm tied behind my back. That’s not a threat, that’s the God’s honest truth,” Wyatt said, his voice low in warning. “So I suggest—”
“Romeo!”
The female squeal of excitement cut through the air and cracked the confrontation. Jules turned, expecting a pack of UFC fangirls; instead she found Melody and Clay making their way over to them, followed closely by Jasper and Tony. They’d all obviously been lying low, waiting for Wyatt and Jules to finish with their ticketing issues.
When she reached him, Melody actually jumped up and gave Romeo an enthusiastic one-armed hug despite the sling on her arm.
“I’m so glad we ran into y’all,” Melody said quickly, turning to Nova next to him and their other brother, who’d come up when the commotion started. “Are these your brothers? They have to be. They look just like you.”
“This is Nova, and this is Tino.” Romeo gestured to both his brothers before he turned to Melody. “This is, um—Melody.”
“Oh, I definitely get it now,” Tino said quickly. Romeo hit the back of his head, but that didn’t stop Tino from holding out his hand to Melody. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“We never got a chance to say thank you,” Clay said as he came up behind Melody. “I was gonna get your number and call once I got back home. I really owe you for what you did and—”
“Don’t worry about it,” Romeo said dismissively, looking uncomfortable. “It’s nothing. You would have done the same. I know you would’ve.”
Clay reached out and grasped Romeo’s arm in a show of companionship. “You ever need a training partner, you lemme know. I’ll help you get your ground game on.”
Romeo pulled back, looking shocked. “Really?”
“Hell yes,” Clay said quickly. “You ever want a few months away from the city, come to Garnet and train with me. I’m retiring, and I need something to do with all that free time. I’ll go crazy just sitting still.”
“You’re retiring?” Romeo gaped. “No shit?”
