Page 20 of Seeing Harper

“Good. Anything in particular that you want to see?” he asked.

“Not really. I’ll let you choose.”

“Okay. I figure maybe an early movie so we have time to eat after in case my cousins decide to go earlier than I expect them to.”

“Whatever works. I’ll just be glad to spend some time with you,” Julia said.

“You are?” Cruz asked.

“I am.”

“You can’t see it, but I’m smiling really big, and probably blushing, too.”

Julia laughed. “I’m smiling pretty big myself.”

“Good. So, what was your favorite of the plates I made you?”

“It’s all delicious, but I have to admit I ate the steak first, and half the sweet potato, and some mac n cheese. And the shrimp, oh my gosh, it’s delicious. All of it.”

“What’s your favorite food of all time?” Cruz asked, chuckling at her admitting that she definitely overate.

“What’s my favorite food? Italian. I love Italian.”

“Steak. Tell him you love steak.”

“Italian steak?” he asked, trying to be funny.

“No, not Italian steak. That’s my room mate trying to be funny. I shared some of my leftovers with her, and she’s saying steak.”

Cruz laughed. “Well, I’ll choose the movie, but you choose where you want to eat. Is that okay?”

“You know what? Anything is fine with me, as long as it’s a place we can talk. I really want to talk to you. Get to know you a little better.”

“I’d like that.”

“Me, too.”

“Pick you up about 11:00 A.M.?”

“I’ll be ready. I’ll text you my address.”

“Sleep well, Julia. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Looking forward to it.”

They ended the call, and Julia sat back, holding her phone against her chest.

“Is that wedding cake I see over there?” Kelly asked.

Julia started laughing. “It is, and you can have one piece, but not all of it.”

“There are six slices!”

“Yeah, and some bread pudding, too.”

“And he’s pretty, too?” Kelly asked, whining a little. “It’s just not fair. He feeds you, and he’s pretty, and he’s coming for a date. A real date. I want one.”

“You touch him we’re going to have a problem.”