“Real Estate Evaluation Services was created, and I uploaded top-secret information onto your workstation and impatiently waited for you to find it,” she replied. She rested her hands on the table, the lily centered on her open palm.
“That’s really pretty,” I said.
“It is,” Juliana agreed.
“Why did they let you keep that?”
“They didn’t. After you wrecked the Institute, I broke into the evidence room and took it back.” She turned back to me, eyes wide and shining. “Are you going to tell him I have it?”
“No. And I don’t want you to tell him, either.”
Juliana’s mouth dropped open, then she ducked her head. “I understand.”
“He’s been hurt enough,” I continued. “The last thing he needs is…is you bringing up old memories.” Shep appeared at my side and chirped that he had prepared the snacks and tea for myself and Micah. As I turned to follow the little guy, I said over my shoulder, “Listen, I’m not trying to be mean. I just want to protect Max.”
Juliana mumbled, “That’s all I ever wanted.”
Shep and I brought the tea service upstairs, and I managed to rouse Micah long enough for him to ingest a few cookies and bestow a few nuzzles. He was out again soon, my poor, tired elf, and I lay awake next to him feeling like the biggest jerk in the world. Here I was, snuggled in bed with the love of my life, when I’d pretty much forbidden Juliana from hers.
The lack of fairness got to me, and I slipped out of bed for a second time that day, intent on righting what I’d done. On my way to the kitchens, I crossed paths with Max.
“Shouldn’t you be with His Silverness?” Max asked. I ignored his sarcasm, since he might just be as despondent as Juliana. Of course, if I discovered that this was a one-sided romance, I’d resume heckling him at once.
“He’s sleeping,” I replied.
“Worn out already?”
“Max, seriously.” I shoved his shoulder. “Do you have to be such a creep?”
“It’s what I do.”
We walked together toward the kitchens. I didn’t miss how Max’s hands trembled, how he slowed his pace once we reached the bottom floor. “So, where are you off to?” I asked.
“I was gonna grab a couple coffees, ask Juliana if she’d like to take a walk out back,” he replied nonchalantly. “Talk about old times, you know.”
We’d reached the kitchens, and I pushed the door open a crack. “Well, you’re in luck,” I said. “She’s sitting right there at the table.”
In fact, Juliana hadn’t moved from where I’d last seen her. Part of me felt guilty—part of me wondered why she was wallowing. Juliana was a doer, not a wallower. Apparently, Max also found her behavior odd.
“What the hell? Do you think Langston was starving her?” he muttered. I took in Juliana’s features—her cheekbones were pretty sharp, and the harsh ponytail she’d drawn her hair back in wasn’t helping. “And what the hell is she wearing?”
Juliana looked toward the door and Max backed off—clearly, he wasn’t ready to be a full-on voyeur. I grabbed his elbow and led him around the sitting room to the pantry, which held an unobtrusive side entrance to the kitchens. Max leaned against the doorframe, staring at Juliana’s back.
“What about her clothes?” I prompted.
Max’s gaze slid toward me. “That black shirt, the gray hoodie,” he explained. “Juliana loves color. For her to wear gray…” He shook his head.
“You should probably talk to her,” I said, surprising myself nearly as much as Max.
“You gonna stay here and eavesdrop?” he countered.
“Sadie’s the eavesdropper, not me.”
“No, Sadie’s the tattler.” Max squared his shoulders. “All right, I’m going in.”
Max entered the kitchen, and I leaned on the doorframe to watch. Despite my earlier claim of innocence, I fully intended to observe everything that happened between the two of them.
Max walked up behind Juliana—he reached out as if to touch her shoulder, but thought the better of it at the last moment. “Hey,” he murmured.
Juliana raised her head, revealing her gaunt cheeks, the dark smudges under her eyes. Maybe Langston really had been starving her. “Hey,” she mumbled.
Max spun a chair around and sat straddling the back. “You been down here long?”
“A little while,” she replied. “Sara was here a little while ago.”
“Yeah, I saw her,” Max said, then he fell silent. After a small eternity, he asked, “Have you had anything to eat?”