by Rye Hart
“It’s our pleasure,” Meghan said. “So, I’ll send over your first assignment later today. We’ll need it emailed to our editors by next Monday at the latest, okay?”
“Perfect,” I said without hesitation.
“Great,” Meghan said. “Talk later.”
“Thanks again!”
We hung up, and I felt lighter than air. Not only did I get the job, but by the end of the day, I’d have my first assignment. Words couldn’t describe how happy I was.
Changing course, I headed back to my house. I suddenly had no desire to take a walk around town or grab a cup of coffee at the café. I just wanted to get home and wait for my assignment to come through. My fingers were practically itching to start typing.
On the way back, I called Andrea to tell her the good news.
She squealed into the phone. “You got it?”
“I freaking got it!” I screamed, not caring that there were other people on the street. “I can’t believe it!”
“I’m on my way,” Andrea said.
“What?” I blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“We have to celebrate!” Andrea said. “And I have the day off. So, I’m coming to town. I’ll see you in an hour.”
Andrea didn’t wait for my response. She just hung up and left me shaking my head in disbelief. Of course, Andrea was going to drive to Ennis. Why wouldn’t she?
She pulled into my driveway just over an hour later. I grinned as I threw open the door and greeted her with a hug.
“I brought sustenance,” Andrea said, holding up a bottle of champagne.
“Should we really be day drinking?” I asked skeptically. “We’re not in college anymore.”
“It’s not day drinking if it’s a celebration,” Andrea said, her tone serious. “Now, where are your glasses?”
I led the way to the kitchen and grabbed two glasses from my top cabinet. We settled on the couch, sipping our champagne and catching up.
I told Andrea all about the job and how excited I was. I thought about mentioning Michael, but I wasn’t sure how well she would take that news. After all, I moved to Ennis to get over my last relationship. Did I really want to admit that I’d already started another one? If that’s even what it was.
Luckily, the subject never came up. After I finished telling Andrea all about the new job, she grew quiet and introspective, two things Andrea was not.
“What’s up with you?” I asked, nudging her leg with my foot. “Drunk already?”
“No.” She shook her head and sighed. “There’s something I should really tell you.”
“Okay.” I sat up straighter. “What is it?”
“I ran into Joshua the other day,” Andrea said. She spoke quickly, spitting the words out before she could change her mind. “At that Starbucks by the hospital. I was there for… Well, it doesn’t really matter. I stopped in to grab some coffee and, boom, there he was.”
“Did you talk to him?” I asked.
Andrea nodded. “He asked about you.”
My stomach did a flip, but it was weaker than I expected. Hearing Joshua’s name used to send me into a spiraling depression. I hated thinking about him. Talking about him had felt like a unique form of torture. Now, it didn’t seem to bother me as much.
“What did you tell him?” I asked.
“Just that you moved,” Andrea said with a shrug. “I said you were doing great, but that you left Dallas.”
“And?” I pressed.
“He was shocked,” Andrea said. “I guess he really had no idea.”
“I told you.” I laughed softly. “He’s not really the type to check Facebook religiously.”
“Still,” Andrea said. “You’d think he would have by now.”
“Nah.” I shook my head. “Residency is too time-consuming, remember?”
“Whatever.” Andrea rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I just thought you should know.”
“Did you tell him where I moved?” I asked nervously. The last thing I needed was for Joshua to suddenly have a change of heart and show up at my doorstep.
“God, no,” Andrea said. “Why the hell would I do that?”
“Just making sure,” I said. “Thanks for telling me.”
Andrea watched me closely as I took another sip of my champagne. I couldn’t have described my mood if I wanted to. I’d been so happy just moments before, and now, I was still happy but reserved. There was something about hearing Joshua’s name, something about knowing he had asked about me, that made me uncomfortable.
“You okay?” Andrea asked.
“Just…” I began. “I don’t know. It’s strange.”
“What is?” Andrea asked.
“I don’t feel sad anymore,” I said. “Before, when someone would mention him, I’d feel this weight on my chest. My eyes would burn, and I would want to cry.”
“And now?”
“It’s a different feeling.” I shrugged. “Less intense.”
“You’re getting over him,” Andrea said wisely. “That’s a good thing.”
“It is, isn’t it?” I smiled, and Andrea nodded encouragingly.
We spent the rest of the day talking about anything but Joshua. My mind turned back to Michael and, by the time Andrea left, I couldn’t stop myself from calling him.
“Julie,” he said when he answered. “I was wondering when I’d hear from you. How was the interview?”
“It was amazing,” I said. “I got the job.”
“Congratulations!” Michael said. “That’s fantastic!”
“Thank you.” I beamed into the phone.
“Tomorrow,” he said simply. “You free?”
“I am,” I said.
“Great. We’ll celebrate then.”
CHAPTER 12
MICHAEL
Julie wore a short, tight black dress. She came to the door with her hair curled and her eyes alive with excitement. I tried my best to keep my eyes on her face, but it was impossible. That dress hugged every single curve, and my willpower just wasn’t strong enough. I looked her up and down, my eyes lingering on her bare legs and black high heels.
“Like what you see?” she asked, her voice low and suggestive.
I looked back up at her face. Her eyes were dark and full of that same, familiar hunger. I grinned and stepped forward. My hand slid around her waist, and I pulled her in for a kiss.
I groaned against her soft lips. When we pulled apart, I sighed deeply. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you.” Julie smiled and dipped her hips to the side, showing off her dress even more.
I laughed and held out my arm for her. She took it, and we hurried toward my car. Once inside, I cranked the engine and pointed us out of town.
“Where are we going?” Julie asked.
“Into the city,” I said. “This is a celebration, after all. A fancy restaurant is in order.”
“I don’t need fancy,” Julie said, laughing gently.
“Which is exactly why you deserve it,” I said.
Julie smiled as if she were surprised. From the look on her face, she wasn’t used to being spoiled. I wasn’t normally the type to go over the top for a woman but, with Julie, I couldn’t help myself.
We arrived at the restaurant, and I had the valet park the car. I picked a French bistro for dinner. It was a place I’d been to often, and I knew Julie would love it.
“You really didn’t have to do all this,” Julie said after I ordered us a bottle of champagne. “It’s just a job.”
“I wanted to.” I shrugged, and Julie frowned. I searched her face. She was obviously upset. I wondered if I’d made a mistake. “Did I do something wrong?”
“What?” Julie’s eyes snapped up to meet mine. She softened immediately. “No, no. Not at all.”
“Then, what is it?” I reached across the table to take her hand.
“It’s nothing,” she said. “I just… I know you’re used to this. Going to dinner at fancy restaurants. Spending your money w
ithout much thought.”
I laughed. “Ouch.”
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I don’t mean that as an insult. But I’m not used to things like this. My family is much simpler. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to treat me this way. I’m fine with diners and cafes. I don’t need a lot.”
“I don’t feel like I have to,” I said. “I just want to.”
Julie considered me for a few seconds. I knew she was trying to determine whether I was serious or not.
“Look,” I said. “I know we joke around a lot. Banter and flirting are great, but we’ve never had a really serious conversation before.”
“No.” Julie shook her head. “I guess we haven’t.”
“So,” I said, leaning back in my chair and spreading my arms wide. “Ask me anything.”
“What?” Julie laughed nervously.
“Anything you want to know,” I said. “I’m serious.”
Julie hesitated for barely a second, then a wicked smile crossed her face as she leaned forward. I knew she was going to have fun with this.
“How many women have you slept with?” she asked boldly.
“I don’t keep a running tally.” I laughed. “Same question.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Oh, come on,” I said, laughing again. “You didn’t think this was a one-way street, did you?”
“I haven’t slept with any women,” she said playfully.
I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“Three,” she said simply. “Including you.”
I nodded and gestured for her to continue with her questions.
“When was your last serious relationship?” she asked.
I sighed. I knew this question was coming, but that didn’t mean I was ready for it. My last relationship wasn’t something I enjoyed talking about. Still, I promised Julie she could ask whatever she wanted.
“Four years ago,” I said. “Her name was Amy.”
“What happened?” Julie asked.
“Well…” I sighed. “It’s a long story.”
“Good thing we have four courses to get through,” Julie said with a grin.
I shook my head and chuckled. Julie kept me on my toes more than anyone ever had. Just a simple conversation felt like I was being challenged in the best way.
“We dated for a long time,” I said. “On and off for three years. But about four years ago now, we ended things for good after I found out she was cheating on me.”
“Oh.” Julie’s eyes widened. “Wow. I’m sorry.”
“I’m over it.” I shrugged. “At the time, it was devastating, to say the least. I really loved her, but when I saw that she was using my credit card to buy things for her boy toy, I knew it was time to cut bait and run.”
“She used your card?” Julie asked, shock filling her voice.
I nodded. “Classy, huh?”
“What a bitch.” Julie shook her head.
I laughed and nodded in agreement. “I didn’t realize it at the time,” I said. “But she was always wrong for me.”
“I can understand that,” Julie said. A dark look crossed her face.
“Your ex?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Julie nodded and grabbed her champagne glass. She took a long sip and looked away. As much as I wanted to hear her story, I didn’t want to force anything.
“You don’t have to talk about it,” I said. “It’s okay.”
“Fair is fair, right?” she asked lightly.
I smiled. “I guess so.”
“We were together for two years,” she said simply. “Two years, and I thought I was in love. Really, truly, deeply in love. The kind of love that actually means something.”
“I know the feeling,” I said kindly.
“But,” she said. “He finished medical school and started his residency. Apparently, I didn’t fit into his plan after that. He dumped me because he was too busy for a relationship.”
“He’s an idiot,” I said simply.
Julie nodded. “I realized that afterward,” she said. “It just sucked because I put so much into our relationship. I sacrificed my time and my energy. God, I even helped him track down his long-lost brother.”
“Long-lost brother?” I asked, frowning slightly.
“Yeah,” Julie said. “His mom had a kid just a few years after he was born. She couldn’t keep the baby, so she gave him up for adoption. My ex, he always knew about the baby, but he never met him. He wanted to, though. So, I helped him figure out which adoption agency his mom used and stuff.”
“But you never wanted to meet him yourself?” I asked.
“No.” She shook her head. “He didn’t want that. He said it was too new, too fresh. He didn’t want anything to complicate their relationship. Which, at the time, made total sense to me.”
I laughed. “Not really. If you went through the trouble of helping, you should’ve met his brother. I mean, at the very least.”
Julie shrugged. “I just chalked it up to confusing family dynamics,” she said. “I didn’t want to step on any toes, so I took a backseat.”
“Confusing family dynamics are a bitch,” I said knowingly.
“Yours?” Julie asked, raising her eyebrows.
“I’m adopted, too,” I said. “My parents adopted me when I was a baby.”
“Really?” Julie asked. “Wow, that’s crazy.”
I laughed. “Not really. Honestly, I never thought about it much until I became an adult. My mom told me when I was five, so it was just this thing I always knew. My friends came from their parents, but I didn’t. My parents chose me. In a way, it made me feel special.”
“That’s a really nice way to look at it,” Julie said with a soft smile.
“I think that’s why my parents are so hard on me,” I said. “They tried for years to have a baby of their own, but they couldn’t. So, when they got me, everything changed for them. They worry about me. They agonize over my decisions. They hover.”
Julie snorted. “Sounds like my parents.”
“Tell me more about them,” I said. I leaned forward and took a sip of my champagne.
Julie launched into stories from her childhood while I listened. We ate dinner slowly, neither of us in a rush to get home.
That night, for the first time, Julie and I grew closer. We’d been connected from the moment we met. Our physical attraction was undeniable. We could flirt and banter better than any couple. But after that night, things changed between us. Our connection deepened.
We talked about our families, our exes, our dreams. Anything and everything we could think of.
When I dropped her off that night and kissed her goodnight, it was different. That deep-seated longing was still there—my body ignited when she touched me, just like always—but there was something more beneath the kiss. Something deeper. Something meaningful.
CHAPTER 13
JULIE
Saturday was fast approaching, and I realized I didn’t have a thing to wear to Michael’s holiday party. I scoured my closet, pulling out every dress I owned. Still, I found nothing. By the time Thursday morning arrived, I was desperate for a little help.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Bethany’s number. She picked up on the second ring, her voice lively.
“Jules!” she said brightly. “What’s up?”
“Hey,” I said. “I’m heading into the city to do some shopping, you interested?”
“Hell, yes!” she said. “Just let me call the sitter.”
“You have time,” I said. “I’m not even dressed yet.”
“Take your time,” she said. “I’ll be home all day.”
“I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”
“Great!”
We hung up, and I quickly threw on some comfortable clothes. I doubted I’d be able to find a high-class boutique in Ennis. Plus, I really wanted a day out with my big sister. We hadn’t seen each other since we had dinner with our parents. It was a great reu
nion, but it didn’t give us a chance to really talk about anything.
I drove into the city, calling Bethany on the way. The route to Bethany’s house was a familiar one. She and Bryan moved into their neighborhood the week after college. They’d been there for almost thirteen years now.
As I pulled into the driveway, I remembered all the times I escaped to this house when I was younger. In high school, I would spend weekends with Bethany and Bryan just to have a break from my mom and dad. Then, in college, I used to bring my laundry over once a month. They never complained. If anything, they were both just happy to see me.
“Sister!” Bethany squealed when I let myself in the front door. “You’re here!”
“I am,” I said. She hugged me quickly and then ushered me inside.
Layla was sitting on the living room floor. A woman I assumed was the babysitter was sitting beside her, showing her different pictures in a book.
“There’s my girl,” I said. I scooped Layla into my arms and kissed her temple. She giggled and squirmed to get away.
“Put me down, Aunt Juwee!” She squealed playfully and kicked off me.
I laughed and set her back down. She was at the age of rambunctious behavior. Being held was for babies, and, as Layla liked to say, she was “a big dirl!”
“You ready to go?” Bethany asked. She grabbed her purse off the couch and threw it over her shoulder.
I smiled. “Yup. See you later, Layla Bug.”
“Bye, bye!” Layla waved at us as we slipped out the front door.
“New babysitter?” I asked as we climbed into my car.
Bethany nodded, a nervous expression crossing her face. She did her best to be a laid-back mother, but I knew it was hard for her.
“She has great references,” Bethany said. “But who knows?”
“You’re a worrier,” I said. “Just like Mom.”
“Do not compare me to our mother,” Bethany said severely. “I am nothing like she was.”
“If you say so.” I laughed.
Bethany scowled at me, but her mood quickly brightened as we drove closer to the city. There were a few shops downtown that I wanted to check out. I wasn’t sure how nice the party was going to be. Knowing Michael, it would be high-class to the utmost degree. That last thing I wanted was to be underdressed.
