Page 166 of Nyx

"Really?"

"It is now," I say out loud before my mouth-to-brain filter kicks in.

I clench my jaw, feeling like an idiot for being unable to control myself.

Her laughter is loud and quick, making that regret dwindle some.

"Maybe we should see what it looks like underwater?" I offer as a desperate need to keep spending time with her builds inside of me.

"You're going to put your feet in the water too?" she asks, her eyes angled down at my feet.

"I'll take my boots off first," I say stupidly, feeling like a man who has never had a regular conversation with an attractive woman before.

"I'd hope so," she says with another chuckle. "Wanna go now?"

"As good a time as any," I say, taking a step in that direction. "Can I grab you something to drink?"

"A water would be great," she says as we walk across the room.

She pauses when I stop in front of the massive fridge in the common area that has the drinks, waiting for me to pull a bottle of water out.

"Thank you," she says when I hand it to her.

The pool area isn't empty like it was last night, but we don't seem to draw much attention as we walk around to the far edge. It gives us a little privacy if we decide to have a conversation, but it puts us directly across from other people.

I fight the urge to ask if she wants to go somewhere else because it feels like we're on display. I know without a doubt that we're being watched, that people are curious about the two of us, despite knowing very few, if any, will ask questions or try to get in our business.

I offer her my hand as she begins to sit down, feeling like I've won a prize when she places her hand there.

She doesn't keep her hand in mine once she settles on the edge of the pool, but I don't feel offended. Maybe she's just as concerned about drawing attention as I am.

I take a seat, pulling off my boots and socks before rolling my jeans up my calves as far as they can go. I dip my feet in the water right beside hers, and the action from the outside looking in may seem like nothing, but her wanting to spend time with me like this has made my entire year.

The peace only lasts for a few minutes before we're interrupted.

Kayla, the newest girl to enter Juniper House, gives us each a quick hello before sitting on the other side of Juliet and putting her feet in the water as well.

"Someone said every night is like this," Kayla says as she looks across the pool at all the people who have now started making their way out of the clubhouse to mingle and chat outside.

"Not every night," I clarify.

"I bet the summers are busier, though," she offers. "I'd be out here every second of every day if I lived here all the time."

"It's a lovely place," Juliet says.

"Aleah is going to love it here," Kayla says.

"We don't know how long Cerberus will have us sheltered here," Juliet says softly.

I know her words are a warning for Kayla not to get her hopes up. Child custody during involvement with the court system can take a very long time, even when the parents are working the entire program.

"I know," Kayla says, but there's still a hint of longing in her voice. "I wanted to ask why you're here."

I turn my head too quickly for it to seem casual.

"What do you mean?" Juliet asks.

She's sitting close enough to me that I can sense the way her body stiffens.