Chapter 4: Romeo and Juliet

Jovie's POV

I loved watching people's shocked reactions. It sent a thrill through my body that was almost as powerful as stealing. Almost. 

I especially like Reno's. 

I already planned on hanging out with him because he was dreamy and his wit matched mine perfectly. But now that I knew he was the son of my parents' enemies, I didn't want to hang out with him. I had to.

"Well this was a short lived friendship," Jasper laughed nervously. "You were nice in the bathroom, but the Wimberlys will kill me if I'm friends with you, you understand?"

"Of course," Reno answered, though I didn't think he cared much about whether Jasper would be his friend.

"Darling, we should get going." Jasper nudged me.

"Of course. Nice meeting you Reno." When Jasper turned his back, I mouthed. "Text me."

Reno smiled widely and nodded before heading off.

"That's a bad idea," Hobbs stated. 

I giggled. "I know right?"

***

"Jovie, we heard you had the worst day, are you okay sweetie?" Mom asked that night at dinner.

"Um...group therapy wasn't that bad."

"Honey, we're talking about your run in with the Valenzuela's wretched son!" Dad exclaimed. 

"He's not wretched," I commented.

"He's in group therapy."

"So am I."

"Oh, you're just going through a phase, honey." Mom insisted. "Like when you lived in LA."

"You mean the happiest time in my life?" I muttered. 

"Anyways, make sure to stay away from him."

"She will," Jasper assured them. "Besides she'll be much too busy planning our wedding."

"Exactly," I smiled. "Naomi and I are getting coffee tomorrow to start planning."

"Don't you have group therapy tomorrow?" Dad asked.

"Every other day. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. How don't you know what you signed me up for?"

"Please, Jovie, we're busy with funding your life."

Hobbs was glaring at me. "What?" I asked. 

"Nothing."

Oh that definitely meant something.

"Hey what were all those suitcases in the foyer about?" I asked. 

"That's all your stuff." Jasper smiled. 

"Where am I going?"

"My place, Jovie. We're engaged, we should live together."

"And you didn't think that was worth a conversation?" I asked.

"We're having a conversation now." Jasper said simply.

"Huh. Okay, great. Glad I was included at the last minute."

"Jovie," Hobbs whispered. 

"Sorry. Hobbs says I have a sarcasm issue. So my bad." I forced a smile.

After dinner while my bags were begin loaded into the car, I got a call from an unsaved number.

"Hello handsome," I answered. 

"How did you know it was me?" Reno asked. 

"Lucky guess. So we're getting coffee tomorrow at two. I'll text you more details."

"I was supposed to ask you out."

"Well, sounds like you're bad at gambling and asking people out." I laughed. 

"I'm not bad at kissing." Reno whispered. "If you're lucky you'll find out."

"And if you were lucky, maybe you wouldn't have lost all your money. Tomorrow's my treat. Don't wanna break your bank, Valenzuela."

"You're awful. I love it. See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

Hobbs was giving me a disapproving look. "Your parents told you to stay away from him."

"They tell me to do a lot of things." I shrugged. 

"Jovie, you're engaged."

"Practically against my will. Besides, it's not like I'm trying to bang Reno."

"Well I think he wants to...bang you."

"Well, look at me, why wouldn't he?"

"Do you really want to play Romeo and Juliet with him?" Hobbs asked.

"Oh Hobbs, it's impossible for us to be Romeo and Juliet." I grinned.

"How's that?" 

"Well, we're alive and Romeo and Juliet are dead."

***

Reno was delighted to see me the next day. I wasn't sure how to greet him. I decided on a kiss on the cheek. It made him smile.

"I can't believe you actually came." He said as we sat down.

"I made the date." I pointed out.

"Sure, but I thought you were just messing with me for your parents or something."

"My parents want me to have nothing to do with you, therefore, I want everything to do with you. I'm having an engagement party on Saturday, be there."

"What do I get out of it?"

"Me in a gorgeous dress I may or may not have stolen. And I might show you my secret garden" I smiled. 

Reno leaned over the table. "You can show me that in my car right now, if you want."

"You're disgusting. I adore it."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

He laughed. "Why are you marrying that Jasper guy that you clearly don't love?"

"It's the one thing my parents told me to do that I'm gonna listen to. I can't take over the company, he can."

"So it's a contract?"

"Not for him. He loves me. Which I get. I'm pretty awesome."

"Eh, but you're not perfect." Reno grinned. 

"What about you? Anyone I have to actively steal you from?" I asked. 

Reno shook his head. "I'm available. For anything you need."

"So, tell me, how long do you think it'll be before we sleep together?"

Reno's POV

I was taken aback by Jovie's question. She was the most straightforward and bold girl I had ever met in my entire life.

"Um, anywhere from five minutes to two months."

"You think you can resist me for that long?" She asked. "I'm actually impressed."

"No, I actually don't. I figured that's how long you'll make me wait for it. You seem like you play games." I admitted.

"Only ones that I'll win."

"Well we both know I'm good at losing."

"Maybe you're on a lucky streak now. I mean you're out with me."

"Best thing to happen to me in three years." I smiled. "So have you stolen anything today?"

"I stole a mug on the way in." Jovie stated.

"Why do you steal? You're an heiress."

"Remember that thing you said yesterday about comfort? I feel that when I steal something. It's like the world makes sense again."

The feeling she was describing was kind of how I felt with her. I felt like I had known her my whole life and she was the only comfort I could feel. I don't even think gambling gave me this.

"I've never met anyone like you," I blurted out. 

"Is that a good or bad thing?" She smirked.

"Considering I've known you one day and there's not a thing I wouldn't do for you, I'd say it's a bad thing."

"That's not true."

"Wanna bet?" I asked. "Five bucks says I'll do what you tell me to do right now."

"Wow you really do have a gambling problem!" Jovie cackled. "I dare you to go take the sunglasses off of Hobbs's face."

"He's not here."

"Turn around, love."

I did as she said and there he was, two tables over, staring at us.

"He's gonna murder me." I stated. 

"Sounds like I just won five bucks."

"Ugh fine."

I got up and walked over to Hobbs. "Jovie asked me to do something." I informed him.

"Well get on with it," He grunted. 

He was terrifying. He had to be at least six three, he was built like a house, and I don't think I'd seen him smile.

I reached out and took off his sunglasses. I was shocked to see blue eyes. I would have thought he had dark, scary eyes. 

Hobbs grabbed my wrist tightly, it felt like it might snap. "Was it worth it?" He growled.

"Hobbs, let him go!" Jovie demanded. 

Hobbs glared at me but let my wrist go. I handed him his sunglasses back. I was going to make my way back to Jovie but he stopped me.

"Hey. If you hurt Jovie, I'm going to snap your femur, understand?"

"Yes sir." I gulped.

I went and sat back down. "Is this the first bet you've ever won?" Jovie giggled as she slid five bucks over to me.

"No, actually. I won a bet when you fainted after Jasper asked you to marry him."

"Then I deserve half of that money!"

"No way. I'm broke, remember?"

"Yeah, you look real broke in that three thousand dollar suit." She rolled her eyes. "Next time we hang out, no suits. I hate them. You're lucky I didn't make you take this one off."

"I would love for you to make me take my clothes off." I grinned. 

Jovie sighed dreamily. "There's no way I can last two months."

***

Jovie and I stayed at the coffee place until it started getting dark. A whole afternoon spent talking to the most fascinating woman in the world. I waved as Hobbs escorted her to the car.

I was on a high!

I didn't know how, but I knew something was going to happen between us. There was no denying our chemistry. 

I was almost to my car when I heard footsteps behind me. Before I could turn around I felt something collide with my head and I was consumed by darkness.