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So many of her friends said to trust your heart and not your head but that was not very practical. If she did that, who knows what would happen?
* * *
By the end of the second week in Brussels, Max had relaxed a lot, the project was ahead of schedule and he hadn't lost his temper in over a week. Julie was enjoying the work and she loved her room with the private terrace looking out over the gardens. Some time away from London was doing her the world of good.
It was just after 2 on a Friday afternoon when Max announced they were so well ahead of schedule that they both deserved a break until Monday. "I'm heading over to the art gallery this afternoon, you're welcome to join me or you can do your own thing, whatever you like. Please do whatever suits you, you've earned it."
"Really? I mean we can wrap up at 2, and, you're going to an art gallery," Julie laughed. "Wonders will never cease as my grandmother used to say."
"Come on, Julie, it's not that strange. I did n't tell you this but I'm an amateur painter, I've even put on my own exhibitions."
"No way! You, the big shot business man are a painter?" Julie giggled, "Forgive me while I laugh."
"I'm serious, Julie. I studied art in University but after a few lean years I moved into the business world. My two brothers wanted to go to University, they're much younger than me, and by the time it was their turn my parents didn't have the money to pay for it so I had to get earning real money."
"That's so sweet, Max. I never knew that about you. And there's something I haven't told you. In my free time I paint, I have a small studio or garden shed as most people call it."
"Well, there's a surprise, we do have something in common after all," Max laughed and led the way out of the office. "Come on then, let's get moving and get over to the gallery."
Max hailed a taxi and Julie watched a thunder storm move over the city as they made their way through the streets. When they hopped out of the car, the heavens opened.
"Here, take my jacket," Max took off his jacket and draped it over Julie's shoulders as they scurried up the steps and into the gallery. Julie rearranged her hair while Max got the tickets.
"It's lovely and warm in this jacket. Thank you, Max."
"Hold onto it, Julie. It's cool in here and you need it more than I do. Although I would like a hot drink, let's grab a quick coffee before we go any further." They walked over to the gallery cafe. "Julie, take a seat, I'll get you your usual."
Max returned with the drinks and laughed, "You look like a little girl with that big jacket on."
Julie picked up her drink, looked into Max's brown eyes and smiled, "This is almost like a date, not quite, but almost."
"That's what I was thinking. I like you, Julie. As I've got to know you over the few weeks I can see there's much more to you than meets the eye. You're bright, hard working and very creative.
"You saved my bacon yesterday at the final hour during the client meeting. That was a serious error in my report, I should have spotted it, but I didn't. You could have sat back and let me get lambasted for that one but you didn't. You stepped up when the pressure was on and dealt with the problem head on. The way you got us out of that jam was pure brilliance. Thank you. I won't forgot that."
"It's nothing, Max. Forget about it. When you took over as my manager I was appalled by the way you behaved. I hated your guts, I even thought about requesting a transfer you annoyed me so much. I was foaming at the mouth with some of your requests. You were completely unreasonable. But since we started working more closely, I can see you've got a good heart. You can be abrasive at times but I've got used to that. I even like you, a little bit, but not too much." Julie smiled.
Max sipped his coffee. "I'm not as bad as people make out. My job comes with a lot of pressure, when it comes down to it if I don't get results I'm out. If I mess up, I won't have the money to pay for my brothers' education, they're both coming to the end of medical school and it's very expensive. I can't afford to not succeed.
"Anyway, enough about me, do you have a steady boyfriend?"
Julie pulled the jacket closer around her. "Not really, although there is one guy I'm in touch with by email but we've not met yet. He's into all the things I enjoy. He's an artist too, he plays tennis like me, he likes to travel and he's very witty."
"Sounds like me," Max laughed.
Julie blushed and sneaked a peek at Max's brown eyes. "Hmm, he does actually, only he's in Cardiff."
Max picked up his coffee. "I grew up in Cardiff. And I worked there on a project before I moved to London. Maybe I know him, what's his name?"
"I only know his username, FastDriver."
Max choked on his coffee and spurted, "You must be joking! I used that username for a blind date service until it locked me out for inactivity or non bill payment, something like that. With moving to London and the new job I just hadn't got around to sorting it out."
Julie's eyes bulged, "You're FastDriver? Come on, you don't expect me to believe that, you must have been looking at my computer."
"Honest to God, Julie, this is not a wind up. I've known Merlin for years because he visits Cardiff a lot, I even have close friends who hang out with him. And because he's famous for his matchmaking I thought I'd give it a go. Phone him and ask or if you like I can prove to you right now this is for real, I 'll tell you your username."
"Go on then, Max, what name do I use?"
