Romeo and Juliet

65- R-

Did I Hit My Head and Miss Something?

You don't usually see a bikini girl with a cast on her leg, and Thomas isn't clearly thrown off by it. He's confused, probably wondering if it's the cast that's drawing attention or if it's just my mouth, or maybe my face, doing its usual magic. Poor guy, completely oblivious to the fact that it's just me being me. He hands me my non-alcoholic drink with a broad smile, and I take it with a quiet sense of satisfaction. Good boy. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. Romeo barely crosses my mind, and my spark? Still very much alive.

"I wish you could get in with me," Thomas says, placing his mojito beside mine. It's the third time he's asked, but let's be real, flipping into the pool with a cast sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I sigh, not entirely in resignation, because truthfully, I do want to join them. "If your friends could get me on that float lounge, I could be in there," I say, half teasing, half serious.

He lights up and calls out to his friends. "Boys, help me get her in there," he laughs, and the guys cheer in approval. Two climb out of the pool, and one joins from the bar. They settle me onto the float, and I laugh, feeling the joy bubble up. Oh, how I've missed this.

I warn them not to get wild, I'm not flipping. Josie's laughter rings out as she and Lucas enter the pool. He takes her hand, and she heads straight to me, giggling. "He's perfect," she whispers, then floats back to him, clearly smitten.

The music dips for a moment before picking up again. I shift to sit up, momentarily forgetting I'm in water, and catch a glimpse of a familiar silhouette by the sofa. He's standing beside Mom, and I can sense a quiet clash between them. She hasn't said anything about Romeo, but I know she regrets being too kind before doing her homework. If she's done it now, that could be trouble.

Mom points toward the pool, probably trying to prove I'm having the time of my life. I'm intrigued by Romeo's visit, but not worried. If Jude's giving him a hard time, he deserves it.

"Is the sun too much?" Thomas asks, shielding my eyes with his hand. I smile at him, then purse my lips at Josie, who nudges me while pretending to listen to Lucas. She's definitely fantasizing about kissing him.

"Something like that," I say.

"Here, use these," Thomas says, slipping his shades over my eyes. I grin. This is exactly what I need, a man who worships my presence through small gestures.

"Thank you, love," I say, blowing him a kiss as he turns to answer a friend calling him.

Just in time, Romeo appears. "You're late to the party," I say, catching his half-hearted eye roll.

"Or you could still join..." Norma says behind her drink, "...but not with all that clothing."

The girl beside her stares at him like he's dessert, and I laugh. Honestly, if he stripped and joined us, it'd be a show.

"I don't have much free time today," he says, approaching Norma. "But I could get a drink." He turns the straw to his lips, and I watch his Adam's apple bob as he drinks in Norma's attention. He's dangerous, and I have to admit, it excites me.

"That's my competition, huh?" Thomas whispers, making me jolt.

"Are you a clown?" I ask.

He blinks, then answers, "No."

"Then I think we already know who the winner is." He high-fives me, and we laugh together. Best escape line I've ever come up with. Because let's be honest, Romeo isn't in the same category as anyone else.

"Jokes are meant to be shared," Romeo says, approaching the side of the pool.

I laugh. Not this one. But I clear my throat and look up at him. "I was going to tell a joke about time travel... but you didn't like it."

He groans and squats beside my lounge.

"I need a minute of your precious time," he says, mouthing Princess as his eyes flick to Thomas, who watches us but doesn't flinch. He turns and dips back into the water.

"At least you admit it's precious. I'll give you credit for that," I say.

Romeo reaches out to pull me closer, and my heart skips. Josie appears beside me, sensing the shift.

"Do you need help?" she asks.

Romeo glares at her. "No. I got it from here."

Okay... there's tension between them. That wasn't there a few days ago. Did I hit my head and miss something?