Renegade Path

“Got your driver’s license yet?” Dex asked me.

“We’re practicing,” Juliet answered for me.

“Jesus Christ, you his fuckin’ lawyer now, Julez?” Dex sliced his arm through the air in exasperation. “Let the kid speak.”

“She’s a good driving instructor.” I smirked at him. “And yes, I’m looking for a job too.”

“You can get your job with Ulfric back in the spring,” Dex said. “He’s asked about you. Swears you’re the best worker he’s ever had.”

“Yeah? That’s nice to hear.” Hadn’t done me much good. Not like Ulfric bothered to vouch for me when I got sent to the Castle. Although, that might be unfair. I doubt it would’ve mattered. “I don’t want to wait until spring, though.”

“If I hear of something, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks.”

Juliet set the cheesecake in the middle of the table.

“Now that we’re finished grilling Roman about his employment prospects,” Juliet side-eyed her uncle, “I need his assistance in the kitchen.”

I followed her to the kitchen counter. She set out three mugs, creamer, and sugar. “Will you take that to the table, please.”

I leaned down and kissed her cheek, then whispered in her ear, “Thank you.”

We brought out the coffee and plates for the cheesecake.

Whatever had crawled up Dex’s ass seemed to have gone away. He told us about the trip he’d taken and didn’t harp on my lack of employment again, but an uneasiness still hung in the air.

Finally, he glanced at his phone. “I gotta get to work. Thank you, Julez.”

She walked him to the door while I cleaned the table.

A few minutes later, she returned with a small green envelope and set it on the table. “Christmas present.”

A sadness in her voice stopped me mid-dish-rinse. “You okay?”

“Are you? Dex was awfully rude.”

“Yeah.” My lips curved up and I moved closer to her, slipping my hands around her waist. “You were pretty badass defending your man.”

“Damn right. I have your back, Roman.” She bit her lip. “I feel bad, though. The dig about him being out on the road…every year he goes on a long road trip around the time Debbie died. I think it helps him forget. I shouldn’t have said that. But he ticked me off.”

Maybe this time he had a reason to be on the road, but what about all the other times he was in and out of her life?

We slept under our Christmas tree.

The next morning, as sunlight streamed in through the living room windows, I watched the colorful lights play over Juliet’s cheeks.

“Are you watching me sleep?” she whispered.

“Yup.” I rolled to my side and propped my head on my hand. “Can’t help it. You’re pretty.”

Her lips curved and she finally opened her eyes. “Merry Christmas, Roman.”

“Merry Christmas.”

She snuggled closer. “This is already my best Christmas morning ever.”

“Mine too, butterfly.” I kissed the top of her head.

We slowly got up and replaced all the couch cushions and blankets we’d dragged to the floor to make our bed in the living room. Juliet ran upstairs to the bathroom and I ducked into the one downstairs.

She returned a few minutes later, so damn cute in her black and green flannel pajamas.

“Were you warm enough?” I asked. “On the floor.”

She reached up on tiptoes and brushed a minty kiss against my lips. “You kept me warm.”

“Come here.” I tugged her toward the Christmas tree and pulled a big silver box from behind it.

“Roman, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Of course I did.” I hoped she liked it.

She carefully unwrapped the box and tugged the lid off. Layers of tissue paper crinkled as she pawed through it. “Oh!” She pulled out the warm wool coat. “It’s so pretty.”

“It has a warm, fuzzy hood since I know how much you hate hats.”

She nuzzled her face against the hood. “I love it.”

Her eyes lit up and she reached for a box under the tree. “This is yours.”

“Juliet…” She already did enough for me. Dex had a point last night. I was basically living off of her. “You didn’t need to get me anything.”

“Open.”

The box wasn’t heavy, but it was big. Inside, I found neatly folded flannel shirts and jeans. A stack of brand new, expensive clothing.

Carefully, I pulled everything out. Juliet knew me so well. My favorite colors. Understated with no flashy logos. Things that would last.

“Juliet, you shouldn’t have done this. It’s too much.”

Her smile faltered. “We’re on the same wavelength.” She hugged her coat to her chest. “I needed a coat, you got me one. You need more than Mr. Shields’ hand-me-downs.”

“I can’t keep taking charity from you.”

“It’s not…charity.” A note of indignation colored her voice. Worse, her eyes widened like she was trying not to cry. Why’d I have to get so prickly about this and hurt her feelings?

“I’m sorry.” I set the shirt in my hands back in the box. “I just hate feeling like I’m taking advantage—”