“It’s not that.” Well, it was partially, but he didn’t need any more targets. “It just wasn’t something I was interested in.”
“Then why did you stay at it?”
“It made you feel better.”
He opened his mouth then closed it. “For me? You stayed for me?”
She shrugged. “You worry about me. All the time. When I do normal things like make friends or get a job, you worry less.”
“Shit. Fuck.” He ran his hand down his face.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t bring this up now. It’s just, I didn’t want you to think I’m upset because I’m not. I’ll find something else. There’s probably a job at the diner.”
He gaped at her.
“Not waitressing,” she said hastily. “Maybe washing dishes.”
“No. Nope. The next job you have will not be washing dishes.”
“I don’t mind.” She knew he could be a snob.
“No. You’re going to do something you want to do. You’re not doing shit because you think it makes me feel better. Jesus fucking Christ.”
She sniffled. “You’re mad at me.”
“Damn straight. Don’t do stuff that makes you miserable for me. Damn. Damn. Juliet. I don’t want you to sacrifice your happiness for me.”
“Ditto,” she told him.
“You are my happiness.”
But he should want more, shouldn’t he? He deserved more.
“I’m still destroying that asshole.”
She sighed. She knew he wouldn’t give that up.
“After I sort this mess out. You’re really okay?”
“Really.”
He gave her a skeptical look, but a phone started ringing in the background. “Fuck, I need to go. Listen to your bodyguards. All right? Promise me.”
His phone stopped ringing then started again and he clenched his jaw.
“I promise, but please promise to be careful.”
“Of course. Love you, Mini.”
“Love you.”
She ended the call then sent a text to Xavier.
Juliet:Think I’d be any good at washing dishes?
Xavier: U should do something U want 2 do.
Juliet: Just got 2 figure out what that is.