“Oh. Well.” Vivian turned to look out the window again.

“That’s not true!” Jules said, even though it absolutely was.

Vivian was right. It hadn’t occurred to Jules to ask her for anything, not just because she didn’t want special favors but because, even if she had, she never would have expected to get them.

“No, I’m pretty sure it is. It looks like I’ve been asking too much of you lately. I’ll put the brakes on that.”

“No!” Jules repeated, horrified. What did Vivian mean? No more doctor’s visits or lawyer visits or pizzas or diet charts or FaceTime in the middle of the night? She didn’t mean that, did she? “Vivian, you don’t have to. I—”

“No, you don’t have to.” Vivian didn’t turn around. “Not anymore.”

“It’s not because I have to,” Jules pleaded. “It’s not just my job. I-I like helping you.”

“You do?” There was a trap waiting somewhere in Vivian’s voice.

Jules was in too deep to find it, though. “Yes,” she said in utter defeat.

Vivian was going to ask her to do something impossible just because Jules had been clumsy enough to sting her pride. And Jules was either going to do it just to prove she could or tell Vivian to go to hell and shoot herself in the foot for good.

“If it’s not your job, why do you do it? Why do you like doing things for me?”

Because she hated it when Vivian looked sick and tired. Because Robert was an asshole who didn’t deserve her. Because Jules wanted to have sex with Vivian like she’d never wanted anyone else in her life. And because together, all of those things coalesced into something that was terrifyingly like…

“Because I’m happy to do it,” Jules whispered. “It makes me happy to do it.”

Vivian finally looked at her. Her gaze nearly skewered Jules, it was so sharp and intent. “You don’t say.”

Jules opened her mouth to say “What?” but sat very still because she’d just been struck by lightning. Or it felt like that, anyway. Her eyes stretched open wide.

Vivian wanted to—she’d be happy to—?

“Oh,” Jules gasped.

“Well, there goes the light bulb.” Vivian looked out the window again.

“No,” Jules said, though she was so breathless it was a wonder that the word made any sound at all. “I mean, yes. I’m sorry, Vivian.” She licked her lips. “Next time I need something, I’ll…I’ll come to you.”

“I certainly hope so.” Vivian didn’t turn around. “Now, call the car. Let’s go home.”

* * *