“I’m teaching them how to form sentences which they only seem to use for posting on TikTok.” She sighs again heavily, digging her fork into the food on her plate. “It’s a vicious cycle.”
She’s so cute when she’s morose, shoulders slumped.
Ben is walking around with cans of White Claw and Juliet takes one, giving me a side-eye. “I’m only going to have one, cross my heart and swear to die.”
“Good, because I don’t want any repeats of last night.”
“I’m sorry you had to babysit me, it is not your job.” Juliet hesitates. “Actually, it’s no one’s job, ha ha.”
There she is, dropping hints that she’s single. Was that a hint for me, or just a jab at herself? So hard to know.
I change the subject. “So you’re a teacher, who wants a dog, but lives in an apartment. What else is there to know about you? What’s the last trip you took, not including this one?”
It doesn’t take her long to ponder this question. “My parents’ anniversary, we went on a cruise to the Caribbean—which was two years ago. I like to keep it local.”
“Do you?”
“Um no. I’m just saying that because I never get to go anywhere.”
I smile at her while she sips from her adult seltzer beverage. Never had a taste for those things, they’re basically flavored water and I need at least five to feel any effects, which is a lot of effort for a buzz.
I stick to beer tonight.
Pop the top of one when Ben hands it to me and sip off the foam.
“What’s the last trip you took?” Juliet wants to know, pulling apart the brownie on her plate and biting into it with her front teeth.
I watch, mesmerized. “I uh…” I clear my throat. “Went to the Bahamas for a wedding in June and Vegas for a trade show, and I was in Nashville two weeks ago for my buddy’s baby shower.”
Juliet looks impressed. “All of that this year?”
“Yeah, I get around.”
We laugh and then go silent again, the mood shifting.
“Favorite food?” I blurt out.
“Steak and a baked potato.”
I nod approvingly; it’s a great answer mainly because I too love a good steak and baked potato, none of which we’ve eaten over the course of our stay here.
“Yours?”
“I would have said the same thing, so I’ll also add a good cheeseburger and fries. Or seafood—love me some seafood.”
Juliet hides her smile. “You’re a carnivore through and through, hey?”
“I guess? But I also love dessert, and nuts, and desserts with nuts.”
“So nuts but especially nuts in your dessert.”
She smirks.
I stare blankly at her. Was she just making an innuendo about balls being in my food?
It’s hard to tell, she has a neutral expression and hasn’t made a single suggestive comment for the thirty-six plus hours I’ve known her.
She blinks up at me. “What?”
“Did you just…”
Juliet tilts her head. “Did I just what?” Takes a small bite of brownie, grinning with food on her teeth.
“Nevermind.”
She laughs, wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “Oh my god, Davis, you should see your face. Too funny.”
So she was making an innuendo, the little shit! “Why you little pervert.”
She lifts her shoulders in a shrug. “Maybe I learn a thing or two from my students, maybe not.”
“Are you saying you’re basically a twelve-year-old boy?”
“I mean…” She examines the fingers on her right hand. “If the shoe fits.”
“It must be hard keeping that inside.”
Juliet pauses. “That’s what she said.”
Oh my god.
I stare at her again. “What the hell happened to you?” Is she always like this?
I have so many questions now that will probably remain unanswered.
“What do you mean, what happened to me?”
“You were being so…”
“Polite?” She rolls her eyes. “Duh, I didn’t know you.”
Huh. Interesting.
“Are you into any sports?”
“Are you asking if I like watching football for hours on the couch on Sunday and Monday?”
That makes me laugh, but also: “Yes?”
She shrugs. “Depends on what food is being served but mostly no. I don’t enjoy sitting around on the weekends mindlessly watching football on television, no offense.”
“Hockey? Baseball? Basketball?”
“If I had to choose, I’d pick hockey—but not on TV.”
Hmm.
“Do you play any sports?”
She tilts her head, takes a sip of her drink and thinks as she swallows. “Why do men always ask if women play sports? It’s not like I’m chasing around trying to be a quarterback. Or playing soccer in the park.”
“I guess I’m just asking if you’re athletic.”
“Sure. I won’t pass up a game of pool badminton if you wanted to play, but as you could probably tell, I cannot fish.”
“What’s pool badminton?”
“Haven’t you ever heard of badminton?”
“Yes, but…in the pool?”
“Let’s see, how do I describe it.” She taps her chin. “It’s badminton but…in the pool. The best part is when you’re short and you’re in the deep end and you’re trying not to drown as your nephew lobs the birdie in your face.”