CHAPTER 12

"You're still here?" he asked, surprised.

Juliet smiled softly.

"I was waiting for you. I wanted to thank you properly."

"You don't need to thank me," Louis said, brushing it off with a wave of his hand.

"I didn’t do anything special."

Juliet shook her head, taking a step closer.

"You have no idea. If it wasn’t for your help, John Wales would never have agreed to work with us. My family and I owe you a lot."

Louis raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Dinner, then? Is that your way of saying thanks?"

"Exactly," she said with a playful smirk. "How about it?"

Louis tilted his head, as if weighing his options.

"Dinner sounds good. But only if you’re paying."

Juliet laughed.

"I think that’s only fair."

They strolled down the street, the hum of the city around them.

Juliet led him to a quaint little restaurant, tucked away from the main road.

As they sat down, Juliet gestured for the waiter.

"Let’s order first. What do you like?"

Louis shrugged, glancing at the menu.

"I’m easy. You pick.