“But I don’t drive a three-hundred-thousand-dollar vehicle.”
149
“Are you insinuating something?” Jules asked, unable to help getting defensive.
“And just ’cause he ain’t got 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. “He does have 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, you work here?”
“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.”
150
“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.”
“Right. Okay.” Tino looked dazed as he looked around the diner. “If you say so.”
“Oh, hey, Jules, look,” Melody called out, waving to Jules as if everyone in the restaurant hadn’t already noticed Romeo’s arrival. “He’s here early. Who knew?” Jules slid out of the booth and took a steadying breath as she walked up to him, being very aware that all eyes were on them. She held out her hand to Romeo in a very businesslike manner and tried not to shudder when he shook it, his large palm engulfing hers, reminding her of the first time they met.
“Miss Conner,” Romeo said with a teasing smile.
“Wellings,” Jules said cordially, unable to help grinning. “Nice to see you finally found your way to our neck of the woods.”
“Well, Clay’s offer was a little too good pass up,” Romeo said, his smile growing broader. “And I was intrigued by what you have to offer.”
“And you remember Romeo’s brother Tino, dontcha?” Melody asked, obviously unaware of the sexual tension pulsing between Jules and Romeo. “He went along with Romeo when we did that publicity tour last month. He’s funny; you’ll like him.” Jules grinned at Tino. “I’m sure I will.”
“Jules is our local lawyer,” Melody went on to explain. “And I think Terry gave her the keys to the place y’all are renting from him.” Jules nodded. “He did. They’re at my office. If y’all would like to stop by after you eat, I can take you out there and show it to you.”
“Sounds great,” Romeo said brightly. “Mind if we join you for lunch?”
151
“Not at all. We’re in the corner booth right over there. Head on over; you must know Chuito.”
The second Romeo’s and Tino’s backs were turned, Melody breathed a sigh of relief and mouthed thank you to Jules. Making it evident that though she put on a front of being oblivious to the curiosity of the other patrons, she was very aware of the stir Romeo’s arrival caused. More than being a famous UFC fighter, one who’d had an ongoing rivalry with Clay until he’d saved Melody, he was also very city, and it made him stand out in a town that always got a buzz off the gossip of something new and different happening.