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The champagne is going down well and we’ve had an amazing meal. The conversation has been flowing easily. Julian is actually the most relaxed he’s ever been around me, laughing freely, and being his charming, witty intelligent self. We’ve talked about college, his work, my work at home, friends and family. It really does feel like we’re on a real date.
The reflection of the open fire dances across his face, and he’s watching me intently as he takes a sip of his champagne.
“So, what did my mother have to say to you today?”
I giggle. This alcohol has gone to my head already. “She wants me to pursue you.”
He smiles and winces. “She actually said that to you?”
“Yes.”
“My apologies. She’s shameless.”
I smile and sip my champagne, remaining silent for once.
His eyes hold mine. “What did you say to her, Bree? What did you say to her when she said you should pursue me?”
This answer is important to him, I can tell.
“I told her that I don’t pursue men.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Is that true?”
“Yes.” I lick my bottom lip. “A relationship with a man is the last thing I want.”
He sits forward, his eyes darkening. “What do you want?”
“What I’ve already got.”
Our eyes are locked. “What’s that?”
I smile softly. "A hot boss with a huge jackhammer dick."
He chokes, laughing out loud. “Honestly, Bree, you are out of this world.”
I laugh and then our eyes linger on each other’s as we fall serious. “Your mother is trying to marry you off,” I whisper.
“Yes.”
“Promise me that when the time comes for us to part...”
A frown crosses his face. “Promise you what?”
“Promise me that you won’t make me the other woman.” His eyes hold mine, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.
“Promise me that you’ll make a clean break and pursue any future wife without me on the side.”
He sits back slowly. “I can assure you that I’m not on the market for a wife.”
I pick up his hand and kiss the back of it. “And I’m not in the market for a husband. We don’t have long together, Jules. I’ll go home to Australia eventually.” I kiss his hand again, and he frowns as he watches me. “Let’s just make the most of the short window of time that we do have.”
He turns his hand and cups my face, his thumb dusting over my bottom lip. “You may be the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” he admits softly.
I can feel myself getting stupidly emotional because I know for a fact that he is the most beautiful man I’ve ever been with. His mother’s confirmation that he’s really lonely and troubled has opened up a can of worms in my heart. The grief he has been through alone, while bringing up his two beautiful children… I can’t imagine the pain. No man should have to go through that. It’s no wonder he’s so closed off to the world. He’s afraid to let anyone get close.
I just want to make everything right for him and help him find his way. To be honest, I’m grateful for Frances’s little lunch meeting today. Now I see Julian in a new light entirely.
A beautiful, tortured light.
