22
GIO
The next few days are a lot. Luckily, there’s not much in terms of threats, but apparently, Juliana’s life doesn’t ever calm down. We move her back into her apartment and she lights up. She throws herself into setting up her business while Max, Konstantin, and I balance spending time with Juliana and our work.
But then the funeral happens. We all attend with Juliana. She shakes a little as we watch her father being lowered in the ground and she sniffs, but not one tear leaves her eyes. People give her their apologies and their sympathy.
I notice that Juliana accepts everything gracefully, but doesn’t want to stay for the ‘celebration’. When one of her father’s friends tries to push her into it, it isn’t Konstantin that steps in. It’s not Max. It’s me.
I glower at him. “I don’t think Juliana needs a room full of people to help her cope with things. She’s an adult and she can choose how to handle this on her own. Accept the no.”
He opens his mouth to say something, but Juliana steps up with me, gently stroking down my arm. “I trust that everyone going will enjoy remembering the best in my father. He’d like that. Unfortunately, I have things to take care of to ensure his legacy is remembered.”
He takes that and walks away. When I turn, I see Konstantin giving his scariest face. I’m sure it didn’t hurt, even though he has Charlie in one arm. I chuckle. “That’s a good look on you, Kon.”
He glances down at Charlie and the little dog’s tail wags noticeably. When we leave, I’m sure more than one person notices that the three of us head out with Juliana. I don’t care. Let them gossip. It’s Juliana that’s important.
“I’ll take care of the lawyer, doll,” Max assures her. “You go home and rest.”
“Thank you, handsome.”
Konstantin reaches back from the front seat and rubs her knee. “I’ll get your favorite Indian food and dessert from that chocolate shop you like.”
She nods. “Thank you.”
The guys drop us off at Juliana’s apartment and I go up with her. She releases the dogs from their leashes and lies on the couch, just staring at the ceiling. I sit on the floor beside her. Pulling her hand to my heart, I just put her palm against my chest.
I’m not sure what to do for her. I can’t take away the pain she’s feeling. I would give anything to do exactly that, but it’s just not possible. Juliana rolls towards me and sighs. “I can’t be there with the others. I’m not mourning.”
Surprised, I glance over at her.
She swallows. “It’s awful. I know. But I’m not. I feel free. My dad will always be a source of regret. I could have done so much differently and we didn’t have the relationship either of us wanted, but I’m here and alive. I can’t forget that.”
I nod to her. She kisses my cheek softly. “How are you doing?”
“It’s weird that he’s gone. I keep waiting for him to call me into his office or tell me to seduce you and get you to settle down. I’m afraid of taking over the company, even though that’s what he wanted. I feel kind of lost.”
Juliana sits up, then pats the couch. We end up spooning there, but she’s the big spoon. She kisses my neck. “I’m in your corner, Gio. Max and Konstantin are too. We’re in this together.”
“Even now?”
“Hopefully for a long time. I love you and I don’t plan on leaving you. I hope you don’t leave me.”
I roll, nearly falling off the couch, and face her. “Say that again?”
“I’m the big bad dragon that fell for prince charming. I love you.” She says before biting her lip. “Not as a friend.”
I smile and draw her closer to me, kissing her softly, then her forehead, then all I can do is hug her. “I love you, babe.”
She sighs. “Nap with me?”
“Just try and pry me off you.”
Juliana falls asleep quickly, but I just lay there. I feel like I’m glowing like a lightning bug. Having the literal girl of my dreams tell me she loves me, it’s better than anything I’ve ever dreamed of.
I ride the high of that until Konstantin gets back with Max. They chat about business things until they see me wrapped around Juliana, half asleep.
Max shakes his head. “Look at them. All tuckered out.”