by Brooks, Abby
Ian watched James walk to his car, shoulders slumped, chin nearly on his chest. He raised a hand as his brother pulled out of the driveway and let it drop when he was out of sight.
Ian’s mind raced.
The way James described his relationship with Erin, also described most of Ian’s relationships up to that point. Okay, all of his relationships. The luster of each new woman had worn off quickly. They’d make fun of his boots or roll their eyes when he got bossy. They’d be too strong or not strong enough. And before he knew it, he’d be happier to have a night alone than a night with whatever girl he was dating.
Ian did a quick calculation in his head. It was almost July, which meant he’d spent almost every hour of every day with Juliet for the last three months and all he wanted was more. More of her time, more of her energy, more of her body. More laughter, more secrets. More…of her.
His heart pounded in his chest and an idea started to form that had his stomach flip-flopping around in his belly. Was he actually getting butterflies? Weren’t they supposed to be a good thing? How could anyone call feeling like that a good thing?
Then he heard Juliet’s laughter, wrapped up with the rest of his family’s and his heart swelled until he thought it would burst.
So this is the one? his dad had asked when they arrived a few hours before.
Yes, Ian thought as he headed back into the house, yelling out for an explanation as to what was so funny. Yes, I really think she is.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Juliet
Days passed with Juliet sweating next to Ian while they toiled on her house. They painted. Laid floors. Tore down wallpaper. And wouldn’t you know, Ian did know enough about plumbing to replace the tub and sink in the bathroom. Nights passed in the same way, with Juliet sweating next to Ian…
…but for entirely different reasons.
The man just knew how to make her feel better than anyone ever had.
Ever.
Period.
The end.
And not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too. As if he came into the world, built for her, and she, for him. She yearned for him when he was gone, aware of his absence like a missing limb.
“It’s like a phantom pain,” she said to Lulu, studying her reflection in the full-length mirror. All of Bliss was getting ready for a Fourth of July bash, and the dog ran in circles around Juliet’s feet during her seven hundred trips to her closet and back. Ian was involved in the day’s festivities and was already down there, doing…whatever it was he had to do.
In truth, he hadn’t exactly been forthcoming about what he was doing. But that devilish smile had slipped into place, the one that meant he was working on something he thought she would like. So she played along and made sure to give him an extra kiss before he left that morning.
“What do we think about this?” She held up a pair of cutoff jean shorts and a little halter top. “Ian does love when I wear short shorts.”
Lulu cocked her head in agreement and Juliet dressed, then pulled her hair into a ponytail. If she thought spring in Bliss was hot, summer took it to a whole new level. The hair went up to keep it off her neck, but in the end, the ponytail was the perfect touch. A final look in the mirror confirmed that she looked cute and casual, perfectly acceptable for a Fourth of July picnic and parade.
“Come on, Lulu, let’s get your leash.” After too many jaunts to the beach and back, the dog had been restricted to doing her business like a prisoner, with Juliet firmly holding on to her tether. Neither one liked the change very much.
Lulu stood in the grass outside the house and stared at Juliet. “Don’t give me those sad eyes. If you weren’t such a flight risk, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
While they were out, Julz remembered she hadn’t checked the mail in a few days. The cicadas sang in time with the ocean waves and her sandals crunched on the gravel driveway as Lulu trotted beside her. It wasn’t too long ago that honking and yelling and commotion were just a normal part of leaving her house. Back when she used to choke on smog or the scent of urine in the subway. When she had to fight through a crowd for a decent square of grass to stretch out a blanket in Central Park. When that loud old lady with the shock of white hair would lecture Juliet on the end of days on her way back from the store.
That was all in the past.
Juliet’s new world was clean and open, with vast expanses of sea and sky. The air—salty and briny and fresh—made her feel alive. Real. Connected to the world. She wasn’t a cog in a wheel anymore. She moved at her own pace, doing the things that felt best to her.
To her surprise, the mailbox was full. She juggled Lulu’s leash with the stack while she sorted through enough junk mail to ruin half a rainforest, then froze when she came to an envelope with a familiar logo in the corner.
Peter Vox’s clean, formal script etched her name and address. Her breath stuttered to a stop. Her heart thundered in her ears, drowning out the cicadas and the sea.
He knows where I live! Dear God, he knows where I live!
Fear tap-danced all over her good mood.
With shaking hands, she slid Lulu’s leash over her wrist, jostled the rest of the mail, then tore into the letter. Inside the envelope were two pieces of paper. One, a check with so many zeros, her mind rejected the number. The other, a typed letter with Peter’s scrawling signature angling across the bottom of the page. Tears blurred her vision as she read.
Ms. Lane-
Enclosed, you’ll find a check which includes funds from your final pay. If you have any questions, please contact your lawyers rather than me or any other Tech Lord representative.
Thank you-
Peter Vox
CEO, Tech Lord
Juliet flipped the paper over, looking for any other piece of information to explain the army of zeros marching across the check. Surely, she’d misread the number.
Right?
Peter couldn’t possibly have meant to send her that much money.
With trembling hands, she read everything another four or five times before her knees went weak.
She squeaked in excitement, then did a little wiggling dance that had Lulu looking at her like she’d lost her mind. “You’re right,” Juliet said. “It’s too early to get my hopes up. Not until I talk to Ian’s lawyers.” She wiggled again. “But, that many zeros? That’s life changing!”
Lulu yapped her agreement, then trotted up the stairs with Julz. Even the dog had more spring in her step.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Juliet
Cars crowded the streets of downtown Bliss. Red, white, and blue decorations hung from street lamps and doorways. Families trudged down the sidewalk, parents juggling beach bags and children, lawn chairs and coolers. Juliet found a spot near Good Beginnings and parked the car. Strangers smiled and waved as she joined the procession heading toward Town Center, where the city had erected a small stage for the brass band to play before and after the parade.
Part of her wanted to introduce herself to everyone she came across. Hi! I’m Juliet Lane and you’re part of the best day of my life, which is saying a lot because I’ve had a ton of those lately…
Not wanting to come across as overly friendly (or completely crazy) she opted for the more socially acceptable ‘smile and wave.’
She eyed the crowd, searching for the Moores, then found Harry waving his arms over his head, trying to catch her attention. Turning sideways to avoid errant lawn chairs or overly stuffed diaper bags, she made her way to join the family where they’d gathered near the stage.
“Hello!” She beamed, wondering when she’d see Ian so she could thank him.
Diane gave her a funny look and then wrapped Juliet in a tight hug. “Hello, my dear.”
“I don’t have a chair,” she said, when Diane loosened her grip, afraid that might be the cause of the strange look on the older woman’s face. “But I brought a towel, if it won’t embarrass you to be seen with me, sitting on the gr
ound.”
A swell of music ended the conversation. Diane hit Juliet with one of those Moore family winks and the same devilish smile Ian had given her that morning.
What in the world is going on here?
An elderly man in military dress blues took the stage and stood in front of a microphone. “Welcome to Bliss’s annual Fourth of July Festival!” He spread his arms in greeting and the crowd cheered. Harry bumped Juliet’s shoulder with his own, and beamed at her.
The smile was huge.
The goofiest of goofy grins.
Way too excited to be just because of the parade. Unless the guy really liked parades.
The man on stage cleared his throat and feedback screeched through the speakers. “Before our illustrious band plays our National Anthem, I’d like to call the heroes and veterans of Bliss onto the stage, so that we might all give them our thanks.”
The crowd hooted and hollered while a small line of men and women of various ages, in various dress uniforms, crammed onto the stage with the band and the old man at the microphone.
Juliet’s heart flip-flopped at the sight of Ian up there in his dress whites. So handsome. So strong. Chin lifted, chest out, eyes proud. God, he was gorgeous. He was everything she’d ever wanted. Ever needed.
She’d fallen in love with him weeks ago…
Hell, she’d been in love with him before she’d even known who he was, when he was little more than an idea. When she’d fantasize about her perfect happily-ever-after, she focused on how she wanted to feel and damn if Ian checked every single box.
It was like she’d dreamed him into existence.
He was just that perfect for her.
The band started into the national anthem and the men and women onstage snapped to attention, saluting the crowd. The applause died down as the audience stood, put their hands over their heart, and sang along.
Tears pricked Juliet’s eyes and pride swelled in her chest. That man up there, the one who rescued her dog at the rest stop, the one who gave her directions when she needed them and a home when she didn’t have one. The one who thawed her heart and helped her remember what it meant to trust someone with her entire being, to know what it was to love unconditionally, he wasn’t just her hero…
He was the town’s hero, too.
She’d never felt so full.
So overjoyed.
So proud.
The anthem ended and people broke into discussion, giving their attention back to their families as they took their seats. Juliet watched as Ian found her in the crowd and a smile broke across his face that echoed in her heart. He winked at her one more time. Then took a deep breath and stepped toward the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, his powerful voice booming over the loudspeakers. “If I could have your attention for just one more moment.” Ian smiled out at the crowd and then his eyes settled on hers. The Moores all sat, leaving Juliet as the one person standing in their small group. Her eyes filled with tears of joy.
“Juliet Lane…I love you like I’ve never loved another. I need you like I need the sky. And if you know me at all, then you know that’s a hell of a lot.”
Light laughter sounded through the crowd. A few groups away, someone gasped, covering her heart and staring at Julz with dreamy eyes. Somewhere, someone else sniffled. Juliet still hadn’t taken a breath yet, emotion filling her throat as she waited for her white knight to continue.
“Each moment I’m with you only leaves me wanting more. So, I’m here today, in front of the whole town, asking you to give me more moments. I want them all, Julz. The big ones. The little ones. The tense ones. The ridiculous ones. I want you by my side for the rest of my life. I’m asking you to be my wife. Juliet Lane, will you marry me?”
She finally took a breath. One stuttering, choking sob of a breath and Ian hopped off the stage, ambled over to her while digging in his pocket and got down on one knee, opening a small velvet box.
It’s too fast, her head told her heart.
Oh, shut up, her heart replied.
Juliet knew without a doubt that this man was designed for her and she was designed for him. She put her hands to her mouth and nodded frantically, unable to find her voice.
“I need to hear you say it,” he said, eyes gleaming.
“Yes,” she whispered and then laughed as he took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger.
“She said yes!” he called out to everyone gathered in the square. There was another round of cheers and applause and the band started playing again. Juliet pulled Ian to his feet and wrapped herself in his arms. From all around, people came by to congratulate them. Juliet smiled and nodded, still numb and in shock as she accepted hugs from half the residents of Bliss.
“Thank you for being part of the best day of my life,” she said, over and over, not caring at all what people thought.
* * *
The parade happened, but Juliet didn’t remember it. Instead, she remembered the grin on Ian’s face. The glint of her new diamond in the sun. She remembered Frank’s warm embrace and the tear in Diane’s eye. She remembered Harry’s shy smile. James’ subdued congratulations. Even Lilah thawed long enough to look happy—especially when her older brother asked her to plan the engagement party.
When dusk fell, Ian pulled Juliet close. “You look amazing tonight.”
“I feel amazing.” She held out her hand, studying the gleaming ring as she leaned into her fiancé.
He pressed a kiss into her head. “Gotta admit,” he whispered, “I’m feeling selfish right now. Tired of sharing you with all these people. You okay if we leave early? We can watch the fireworks from my deck.”
Juliet nodded. “I was actually starting to worry about Lulu…” The little dog had been locked in the house for too long as it was.
“Fucking Lulu.” Ian snorted a laugh. “Tell you what. Run home. Grab Chopper and everything she’ll need, because there’s no way I’m spending another night without you in my bed.”
Just fifteen minutes later, she stood on his front porch, cracking open the door with Lulu under one arm. A trail of rose petals meandered through the candlelit house. Putting Lulu down, she followed them onto the back deck where she found Ian waiting, still dressed in his uniform, leaning on the railing, watching the moon reflect off the sea.
“You took too long,” he said without turning around.
“I only took a few minutes.”
“And I had to spend each of those minutes without you. Don’t ever leave my side again.”
Juliet stood beside him and pressed her shoulder to his. “I can’t imagine being without you.”
“Good. Don’t.” Ian took her face in both hands and kissed her. She reveled in the heave of his chest. The scratch of his skin. The woodsy scent of his cologne.
When the kiss ended, she shook her head, marveling at how much had changed in the last twelve hours. Juliet Moore. She liked the sound of that, indeed.
“I got a letter from Peter today. A letter with a very large check…”
Ian’s eyes lit up. “Already? That was fast!” He kissed the top of her head. “Oh, my angel, we have so much to celebrate.”
“But, the check…it’s for a lot of money…” She still hadn’t wrapped her mind around the fact that all those zeros weren’t a mistake.
“It better be. My lawyers felt you needed compensation for your pain and suffering. It didn’t take long before his lawyers agreed. So now, not only do you have a shitload of your own money, but you’re about to have a shitload of my money. So baby, I’m afraid I’ve got to put my foot down on that waitressing job. Why don’t you just help me flip houses instead? We make a great team.”
Juliet buried her face in Ian’s chest and held onto him for dear life. “I’ve never been so happy,” she said, lifting her gaze to his, tears sparkling in her eyes. “And I’ve said that each and every day since I met you, only to find myself saying it and meaning it the very next day. And the next. Every mom
ent I spend with you is a gift. You’ve shown me who I really am…I am so head over heels, crazy in love with you.”
Ian gazed into her eyes and ran his thumb over her cheekbone. “Ditto.”
He kissed her forehead, then her eyelids, then the tip of her nose.
He kissed one side of her mouth, then her jawline, then that spot just below her ear. “The fireworks are gonna start in a minute,” he said, nuzzling her neck, and it took her a moment to understand that he really meant fireworks. The ones for the Fourth of July celebration. “Now tell me, Ms. Lane, have you ever made love on a private beach while fireworks light up the sky?”
Juliet giggled and shook her head.
“Well, now. We’re gonna have to fix that.” Ian swooped her into his arms and carried her to the beach where he deposited her on a blanket stretched across the sand.
With the waves muffling the booms and sputters of the crackling fireworks, they came together in a display that put the rest of the celebration to shame.
Epilogue
Summer passed in a blur of hot days and hotter nights. Ian and Juliet refinished one rental property after another, then fell into bed, eager to explore each other’s sexual boundaries.
To Juliet’s surprise, being in a healthy loving relationship—one where she actually trusted her partner not to hurt her—meant her boundaries were practically nonexistent.
Whatever Ian wanted to try, Juliet was game.
At least once
Usually twice.
One late September afternoon, as she sat on the beach watching the water lap against the shore, Julz was struck by how much fun it was to just…live. Stress melted from her body as she relaxed into her days.
She wasn’t running from her past or fretting over her future.
She was just living her life with the man she loved.
