Still, my body had a mind of its own. I daydreamed about Julie during my shower. My body reacted instinctually, remembering exactly how Julie’s naked skin felt beneath my fingers. By the time I was done, I was desperate to see her again.
I shut off the water and climbed out of the shower. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I hurried back to my bedroom to where my phone lay on my nightstand. When I looked at it, I saw an unopened text from Julie.
“Sorry I fell asleep last night,” it read.
I smiled and immediately pressed the green button to call her. It rang three times before her sleepy voice filled my ear.
“Hey,” she said. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” I said. “How’d you sleep?”
“Great,” she said. A small yawn slipped through the phone, bringing a smile to my lips.
“Listen,” I said. “What are you up to today? I know you said y
ou were free tonight, but I thought we could go for lunch. Interested?”
“Sure,” Julie said. “Just let me shower first.”
“Pick you up in an hour?” I asked.
“Perfect.”
We said goodbye, and I put my phone back on my nightstand. I felt like my smile would never fade. I didn’t know what was wrong with me.
What was it about this woman that made me act this way? If she were another girl, any other girl, I would have moved on already. I wouldn’t have thought twice about sleeping with her and then never calling her again. But I couldn’t imagine not seeing her. The thought of letting her disappear from my life was unbearable.
It wasn’t just the sex, although that had been life-changing. It was everything about her. From her pale blue eyes to her light brown hair to her undeniable intelligence and quick-witted personality. Julie Black was captivating.
I dressed in a hurry, and soon, I was on my way to her house. When I pulled up out front, she was already waiting for me.
“Hey there,” she said as she climbed into the passenger seat. “You’re right on time.”
“I told you,” I said. “I’m a gentleman.”
She laughed and fastened her seatbelt while I admired her. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, making her eyes even more striking than before. She wore a simple blouse and a pair of tightly-fitted jeans. My eyes raked themselves down her body, and I felt my breath catch in my chest.
“Where are we going?” Julie asked, snapping me back to reality.
“Just this little diner I know,” I said. “I think you’ll like it.”
We drove through town, the conversation never faltering. Julie told me about her visit with her family and asked how my weekend had been so far. I was embarrassed to admit that I’d done nothing but work. Julie didn’t seem to mind. She kept up her end of the conversation effortlessly.
“So,” I said. “Your mom really gave you a hard time?”
“Not too bad,” Julie said. “She’s been worse.”
“How so?” I asked.
“My mother has a very specific idea about the way I should live my life,” Julie said. “And if I don’t follow that idea to the letter, she just has to throw her two cents in.”
“I think that’s all moms.” I laughed. “You should have been there when I told my mom that I was going to open my company.”
“She didn’t like the idea?” Julie asked.
“God no,” I said, shaking my head. “She hated it. She was convinced I would fail and, being my mom, she didn’t want to see that happen.”
“I’m the miracle child,” Julie said. “My parents had my sister, then waited ten years before I came along. They thought they’d never have another child, so, when they did, they pushed all their hopes and dreams onto me. As the miracle child, I can’t screw up.”