Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
She turns her head and looks at me over her shoulder when I don't immediately answer.
"I don't drink coffee," I confess.
"I brought you coffee twice," she says.
"You did."
"You thanked me both times."
"I did," I tell her, a smile trying to form on my face.
"But you don't drink it?"
"I tend not to turn down kindness when someone goes out of their way for me," I say. "It's rude."
She studies me for a long moment before turning back to make her coffee.
"Do you always drink it from a travel cup?"
"When I'm heading to work," she answers.
"You're not scheduled today," I remind her.
"Victoria texted. She wasn't able to make it back from her trip last night, something about delayed flights out of Minneapolis because of the storms. She was upset because she had so much to get done for the fundraiser. It may not even be a full shift if she can get back later today."
"That puts you working seven days straight," I say, annoyed that Victoria didn't get with someone at Cerberus about a schedule change. But since she's out of state, she probably isn't aware of what happened yesterday. I don't add that she already works several hours past the end of her shift.
Juliet is silent as she finishes making her cup of coffee, and she looks less than impressed when she turns back to face me.
"Are you saying you don't work a lot of days straight?"
I tilt my head, loving that she's at least comfortable enough with me to challenge me this morning, even though she challenged me the first night I followed her to her car, and thinking further back, she challenged all of us in the interview. I don't know if she does it in a way to assert her own authority or what. I love that she does it.
"Hmm?" she prods. "When was the last time you had a full day to yourself without some form of work task to complete?"
"Touché," I say, the smile I was trying to fight tugging up the corners of my mouth.
"How am I getting to work?" she asks as she walks toward her purse on the counter.
"Your car is in the parking lot, or I can take you."
"I'd prefer to drive," she answers. "I have to get groceries after work."
"I can take you shopping," I offer.
She stares at me for a brief moment, and I get the sudden urge to stand a little straighter.
"Were there any issues last night? Any hint of Graham lurking about?"
"None," I assure her.
"Then I'll drive and do my own shopping. I need some normalcy."
She walks past me, heading to the door, and follows her normal routine by checking the peephole to ensure it's clear before unlocking it.
I move quickly, getting in front of her, even though Holler would tell me if there is a threat outside. It's instinct to step in front of her and make sure she's safe just in case.
"Want me to ride with you?" I ask as she approaches her car.
"No," she answers quickly, looking back at me.
She must have read something on my face because she rushes to explain.
"Kayla already thinks something is going on between us," she says. "I'd like to minimize the rumors."
"Kayla?" I ask, growing confused.
"She noticed us arriving at the same time yesterday," she says.
"Nosy," I mutter.
"Bored," she corrects. "There's very little to do at the shelter, and women who come from backgrounds of abuse are very observant."
I don't argue as she crouches to look under her car before looking in the back seat.
"We'll be right behind you," I say, waiting for her to get in her car before climbing into the passenger seat of the SUV Holler is in.
"She's feisty," he says with a grin before pulling out and following behind her.
I don't know if she's just given up on taking different routes to get to work because we're behind her, or if she feels it's a waste of time now that Whitmore knows where she works, but she heads in that direction without a single extra diversion.
I climb out of the SUV as soon as it pulls up to Juniper House, but Juliet is already walking up the sidewalk, using her access code to get inside without looking back.
It hits me in a way that I don't like. Normally, the choices of others don't affect me in any way. People live their lives how they choose, and I don't feel one way or the other about it unless they intend to hurt someone else.
It shouldn't bother me that she seemed in a hurry to get away from me. If anything, I should be questioning what I may have done to make her want to escape my company so quickly. Instead, I feel a little disappointed that she didn't want me to assure her one last time that we'll keep her safe.