“The police found it under your car and Chief and Sophie took it back to the artist for a minor repair and a new chain.”
“Oh my God. I didn’t think I’d ever see this again. I’ve been so sad about it.”
“Hold your hair.” Dylan put it on gently while I held my hair out of the way. “I would have bought you a new necklace, but I’m happy to see this on you again.”
“Nothing could replace this.”
“Not even diamonds?”
I shook my head. “These memories are better than any diamonds or jewels.”
“I love you, Juliette.”
“I love you too, Dylan.”
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest. His lips grazed my neck before he whispered in my ear, “I’m sorry, Juls. Did I ruin the moment?”
I shook my head and pulled away just enough to see his face. Maybe he did a little, but it was back. I knew he was just trying to take care of me. And now, the way his eyes were shimmering with so much emotion, his fingers gently tracing my necklace and teasing my chest, the other hand possessively around my waist... There was no doubt that he loved me just as much as I loved him. Wanted me just as much as I wanted him.
I pushed away the last remnants of doubt. What he’d said about my clumsiness was true and fair, and I’d actually proven it to be accurate, so how could I fault him for saying it? It wasn’t his fault that I didn’t like it.
“So, those were the two things… and now we could…?”
“You promise you’ll lay there and do nothing?”
“I promise,” I said eagerly, the excitement building back up inside me.
“Liar,” he said with a smile as he gently picked me up and carried me to the bedroom.
33
Dylan
“How can I help?”
“Want to mash the avocados for the guac?” I asked.
“Sure.”
I put aside the tomatoes I was chopping, cut two avocados in half, de-pitted them, and passed them over to Juliette, along with a bowl, a spoon, and a fork. “That okay?”
“Yeah, I think I can handle it,” she said, rolling her eyes at me.
Before I could respond, my phone rang. Shit, it was Quint. “Quint. Everything okay?”
“Hey, Dylan. Yes, everything’s good. I was just looking at Juliette’s statement, and I have a few follow-up questions. Can you guys come down to the station this afternoon?”
“Can it wait a couple more days? Juliette only got her stitches out a few days ago and it’s still uncomfortable to talk.”
“I’m fine, I can go,” Juliette interjected.
“I’d really like to get this finished before more time goes by. I’ll keep it brief.”
Damn, I didn’t want to jeopardize the case against Kayla, but Juliette had already been through enough. “Can you come here to Juliette’s apartment? That will make it easier on her. Less walking on her sprained ankle.”
“I’d rather have her come in.”
“Quint—”