Page 167 of Nyx

"I mean, Victoria isn't staying here. Neither are Denise and Andrea. Why are you here?"

"How old is your daughter?" I ask, trying to take the attention off Juliet.

She isn't obligated to explain her presence, and it's incredibly rude for Kayla to even bring it up, but some people don't understand boundaries.

"She's four," Kayla says with a wide grin. "She's the best thing I've ever done. Do you have kids?"

She leans forward so she can see me around Juliet.

"I don't."

"Do you want kids?"

I pull my eyes from her, the answer a lot deeper than I'd ever sit and have a conversation with her about.

"No," I say as I look back at her.

"Any objection to step kids?" she asks, her eyes dipping down my body, telling me exactly what she's asking.

Juliet tenses again, and I get the feeling that she's going to stand up and leave. This conversation with Kayla is growing increasingly uncomfortable for her.

"I don't want step kids either," I say, the only answer I can think of that assures Juliet I have no interest in this other woman.

"That's a shame," she says, leaning back again, her feet kicking back and forth, causing the water to move. "Know of anyone else here that's single?"

"Cerberus members aren't going to get involved with anyone from the shelter," I assure her, my tone a little too harsh.

I'm not trying to hurt her feelings, but the combination of her interrupting us and then being so brazen about her search for a man has dwindled my patience at the moment.

"Okay," she says in a way that makes me believe she's irritated with either my tone or my response. "Guess we're not good enough."

Instead of waiting for me to assure her that their value isn't the case, she gets up and walks away.

"That went well," I mutter.

"Some women think that a partner will fix everything in their lives," Juliet replies, a sadness in her voice that makes me wish Kayla had never joined us.

She was happy to be out here, all smiles and joking, until the other woman ruined it.

Chapter 42

Juliet

I feel twitchy and uncomfortable as I roll over in bed.

It has nothing to do with the sheets, the mattress's firmness, or any sense of feeling unsafe.

I've been unable to get his words beside the pool earlier out of my head.

Cerberus men aren't going to get involved with anyone from the shelter.

I don't know why it hit me the way it did.

I don't know if I have let my mind consider him mine in some way, but hearing it hurt my feelings.

I'm not out looking for a partner, despite explaining that some women do.

I've spent nearly twelve years alone, and other than the quiet nights alone and limited contact with people other than at work, I haven't longed for someone in my life.