Since Ilana's arrival, Juliet almost never sees Jack because all his free time he is spent with Miss Verdanski looking for ways to prove Kate's innocence. She doesn't ask him about the progress, knowing that Jack doesn't want to talk about the case until it is over. After all, she herself isn't alone anymore. After that conversation about her and her husband, everything changed. James began to feel much more relaxed. They had gone beyond discussing books to talking about sports, music and travel. James didn't stop to wonder how much they have in common and once even admitted that he hadn't expected to meet a woman like Juliet. She smiled at his confession, and nodded. After all, once she didn't think that she would be able to find a tall and handsome man with a good sense of humor, whose favorite pastime would be reading.
-Where are you going, Blondie? - James is lying in a hammock, sipping his beer.
Juliet paused in astonishment and arched her eyebrow.Yes, she stayed on the Island because of him, but it didn't give him the right to control her every move.
-Can lady take a break from three men in the house?- She jokes, going to move on, but he stops her.
-Yes, of course, but you can still have company. After all it's unsafe to walk alone.-
James easily jumps from the hammock.Either he is curious as to where she is going, or he is suffering from boredom, or maybe it's both. Juliet still can't figure him out.
-If you go with me, it will no longer be relief from being around men. –She notes.- Nothing will happen to me. I'm not going to go outside of the fence, and I'm sure I can protect myself from the hippies.-
-Of course, you are but it would be much easier for me to have your back, if I know where you are. - He smiles, displaying his dimples and ... shit! ... It worked.
-Amy invited me to a book club meeting. – Juliet admits with a sigh, getting herself ready for all the stupid nicknames - such as bookworm – that he would manage to create, but he surprises her.
-Really?There is a book club here? Do you think they'll mind if I come with you? -
Juliet doesn't know how to react. Is he that interested in books or is it just that he doesn't want to let her out of his sight?
-I don't think they would mind, but there is a problem, James. You should have read the book that was chosen by one of the club members.-
-I know how it works, sweetheart.-James chuckles.-So what is the book? -
- "Morel's invention "-
-Okay, let's go.-
Juliet hesitates for a minute.She expected many things from James Ford, but certainly not him being interested in discussing books.The only literature she saw him reading in the camp were magazines with cars, and of course, scantily clad women.
-Don't worry, I won't disturb you, I'll sit quietly in a corner and listen to your discussion - he winks at her as if reading her thoughts.
-Jim, glad to see you- Amy greets them. - We always welcome new members. Did Juliet tell you what we're discussing today? -
-Yes, the story written by Casares. - James nods, walking into the living room and looking over the crowd. There were mostly women and a couple of older men, whom he had never met before.
-Everybody's here now, so let's begin our meeting. Does anybody want to start the discussion? -
James was sitting in the corner as he her and Juliet wondered whether he had read this story or simply expected that he wouldn't be asked.
Half an hour later, trying to draw newcomers into the conversation, Amy asks James.
-What do you think, Jim? What would you do in his place? Guess, it's easier for you to put yourself in his position.-
-Mmmm- he pretends to think about his answer, but if he hasn't read ... Juliet starts to think how to save him from this embarrassing situation, when he continues.
-Well I can't say that this is much easier for me.After all, there was no escaping from the police and, hiding in the marshes, where all I could do was observe some strange group of people. Although I surely crashed on some Island -He winks and Amy smiles in return. - But if I really was at the end of a blind alley and found myself in such circumstances, I think I would do the same.A man can do many things to keep from being alone. In choosing between a lonely life on the island where I would be forced to watch the happiness of other people, happiness that I didn't have, and death that would give me the opportunity to finally become a part of this small group, that would give me the hope to find a family,I would chose the latter. -
Juliet sits stunned.He did not just read it, though she did not expect that either, he managed to turn it into the story of his life.Catching her glance, he smiles at her as if saying, "Did you expect it?" But his mask couldn't deceive her anymore. Now she knew that there was a much deeper person under it. He just doesn't allow to see him this way.
-What are you thinking about?-
-Nothing serious. I remembered a time when I was a member of a book club. -
They are walking in the park, and as always, Enos is running somewhere ahead.
-And how was it? Never participated in anything like that.-
-Oh, it was fun. I think you should try it. –
-Nah. I have never understood this mass discussion of books. The only thing that matters is what you see in the book and not what author could mean.-
-You are a philosopher, detective.-
-Just a little- he smiles, looking into her eyes and ...
In an instant he is suddenly so close that she feels his breath on her face. But then he pauses, as if giving her the opportunity to stop him, not because of some insecurity, but out of respect for her. Juliet reaches out to meet him, and that's all he needs to start acting. He kisses her gently, tenderly, maybe even a little shyly. She closes her eyes, returning his kiss with all passion she had accumulated during those days. How long has she been waiting for this? How long has she dreamed of him hugging her like this? How long has she imagined the silk of his hair under her fingers?