Page 52 of Star Crossed
“What?” Jules said defensively, though she couldn’t look away from Romeo.
“Nothing,” Chuito said with a small laugh of disbelief. “I got nothing to say about anything.”
“Isn’t that the guy who fought Clay?” Alaine asked Chuito curiously. “The Gladiator or something.”
“His real name’s Romeo,” Chuito offered.
Alaine laughed. “That’s a strange coincidence.”
“Yeah, it is, isn’t it?” Chuito agreed as if he saw right through Jules.
Jules knew she should be panicking over being so obvious. If Chuito saw the writing on the wall, it was a sure bet her twin and best friend would too, but right then she didn’t care what Wyatt or Clay would think. All she could do was stare at Romeo next to that beautiful Ferrari, looking tan and handsome wearing a black leather jacket and jeans. His brother got out of the car and jumped where he stood as if trying to shake feeling into his legs while Romeo stretched his arms, showing off that big, beautiful chest in a tight black T-shirt underneath his jacket. She felt breathless, and it wasn’t until that moment she realized how desperately she’d missed him. Which should be insane; she’d only spent one night with him, but now it was more—so much more, and him being in Garnet made Jules feel like her entire life had just clicked into place.
“How much does a car like that cost?”
“About three hundred thousand base model,” Chuito told Alaine while giving Jules another pointed look. “And that car isnotbase model.”
“Wow, he must have more sponsors than we realized,” Jules said in surprise.
“Okay,” Chuito said in disbelief. “Now’s the point where you stop giving Alaine shit about being naive.”
Alaine gave Jules a hurt look. “What does that mean?”
“Yes, what does it mean?” Jules asked Chuito, though it was unlikely she was asking the same question as Alaine.
“He hasn’t even won a UFC title yet,” Chuito said as if it was obvious. “I have a title, and I live over your office.”
“You live over the office by choice.”
“But I don’t drive a three-hundred-thousand-dollar vehicle.”
“Are you insinuating something?” Jules asked, unable to help getting defensive. “And just ’cause he doesn’t have a UFC title don’t mean anything. He fought with other promoters before the UFC, and he’s got titles from all of ’em.”
“Fine, maybe you’re right.”
“I am.”
Chuito shrugged, seeming largely unconvinced. “Hedoeshave a lot of sponsors, more than even Clay’s had. I guess I got to work on being flashier. That’s what sells tickets.”
“Well, he’s Clay’s friend, so I guess we have to be nice to him.” Jules turned toward the front door of the diner just as Romeo and his brother walked in. “At least no one’s looking at you two anymore.”
“That ain’t a lie,” Alaine agreed with a laugh.
Jules couldn’t respond. Romeo spotted her, and she was sure everyone in Hal’s knew. It was all over Romeo’s face, and Jules knew she had to be equally transparent. Her breath was trapped in her chest, her heartbeat echoed in her ears, and the entire diner seemed to disappear as she finally stood in the same room with the man who’d given her something to look forward to every day since Christmas. Hearing his voice. Texting him. Exchanging pictures and stories through the day. Then at night when she would touch herself and savor all the sensual, seductive things Romeo had to say about listening to her do it. They video chatted at least three nights a week, and it never stopped turning her on.
“Look at you!” Melody said as she came up behind Romeo.
Romeo blinked, looking from Jules to Melody, and then frowned. “Melody, youworkhere?”
“Yup. Four days a week when I’m not working at the new women’s shelter we’re building between here and Mercy.” Melody jumped up and gave Romeo a hug. “I didn’t think y’all were getting in until later.”
“Yeah, we left early,” Romeo said, returning Melody’s hug.
“Hey, Tino.” Melody turned to Romeo’s brother and hugged him. “Nice seeing you again.”
“Yeah,” Tino agreed, studying her in confusion. “Don’t you live with Clay? I thought you guys were practically married. Why are you working here?”
Melody laughed. “’Cause I like it.”
