Juliet had a dishtowel over her shoulder, as she leaned against the counter opposite Darcy. “How didyoulike it?”
“Ummm, I’d say I’m vastly more prepared for dealing with roommates than you are,” Darcy commented with a laugh. Her eyes were shining up at Juliet, though, as she conceded, “But you are the best cook I’ve ever lived with. Which surprisedme, actually. I thought you’d have a private chef come in or something.”
Juliet wrinkled her nose. “Ah, definitely not. Also, thank you. I will only mention it to your sister occasionally that you think I’m a better cook than she is.”
Darcy groaned, dropping her head back. “I specifically said you made a better chicken piccata! She will never let me live that down.”
She shrugged – that did not take away from her feeling of victory – sipping her own lemonade.
Darcy cleared her throat, tapping her fingertips lightly against the counter. “I know we obviously have to wait to hear back from Nik about the song tonight, but… you opened the door, for us to really work together. Even though I work with Blythe and Emerson, this was different.”
Juliet held Darcy’s gaze with her own for several beats, feeling the words bubbling up in her throat before she let them escape. “I should, probably, thank you. I… look, I have wanted to get a glimpse inside of your mind for a lot longer than you know.”
Interest sparked across Darcy’s face. “What does that mean?”
Inhaling very deeply, Juliet felt ridiculouslyexposed. Truly it was ridiculous, because Darcy knew she had feelings for her. Darcy had spent the last several nights, after they’d worked together intimately all day, tangled up with Juliet in her bed.
And yet…
“The reason I resented you fromday one, even before I ever said anything that night at the NAMAs is because…” She paused, gripping the counter so tightly in her fingers, before admitting, “Because youarea better songwriter than I am.”
She’d resented it, she’d denied it, she’d envied it, she’d respected it, and now… now she was in far too deep with Darcy to do anything other than admire that fact.
Especially in working so closely with her, seeing the obsessive nature with which Darcy approached the process. The reading, the notetaking, the way she focused like her mind was going into overdrive. Like she was entering a plane of creative existence Juliet could glimpse at, and could maybe, occasionally tap into.
Working with Darcy like this, on a project from beginning to end, was the ultimate balm for any possible bitterness over her success. Even though Juliet had been around longer, even though she’d paid more dues in the industry, Darcy wasn’t some novice at their craft.
She’d honed it for just as long as Juliet had, just without the money and acclaim.
She released that breath, finding a surprising peace in finally acknowledging that truth aloud.
Darcy, for her part, was utterly shocked. Her mouth had parted, her eyes wide, as she slowly shook her head. “That’s not actually true.”
“It is, though,” she countered, quietly but firmly. Juliet sharply arched her a measuring stare. “I’m not saying I’m without talent. I’m not saying I haven’t written some really great songs. And I’m definitely not saying this so that you’ll start complimenting me. If I want you to compliment me, I’ll tell you.”
Darcy scoffed, her laughter spilling into the room. “Yeah, that feels right.”
She shrugged, leaning forward slightly on her hands braced against the counter. “While you go on your tour, I’m going to take your trade secrets and start working on my fifth album. Essentially, you’ve just helped the enemy,” she teased.
But Darcy wasn’t looking at her with laughter anymore, her eyes weren’t glinting back in that teasing way. She looked so serious as she slid off of her stool and walked around Juliet’s island, holding her gaze the entire way, that her breath caughtand held, and all she became aware of was how hard her heart beat at the intensity in Darcy’s stare.
She only exhaled when Darcy stood right in front of her, boxing her in, surrounding her.
“You aren’t the enemy.” Darcy leaned in, her lips only a hair away. So close, Juliet’s eyes fluttered closed and she could feel her mouth move as Darcy whispered, “Not even close.”
Darcy connected their lips in a kiss that was coaxing at first, even though it didn’t need to be. Juliet was so far from needing to becoaxedinto anything with Darcy; she was living in a state of permanent seduction.
Unfortunately,Juliet’s gleaming reputation as a chef was ruined by a charred roasted chicken.
SMS — Juliet to Thief
January 31
Juliet — 11:11A.M.
Thank you for leaving me your very talented artwork before you left.
[image attachment – canvas with large red heart painted on it, with the word thief inside]