AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Listen,” I said. “Um, these are for you.”
I handed her the flowers, and she took them with a smile. She sniffed them gently and then walked into the kitchen. I could hear her rummaging around for a vase, but I didn’t move. Part of me was worried she would ask me to leave at any second.
“Do you want to sit down?” she asked as she filled a vase with water and tucked the flower stems inside.
“Sure.” I shrugged and moved to the couch.
Julie followed behind me, curling up on the far side of the couch. We weren’t touching, and it drove me insane. We were so close, but I’d never felt farther away from her.
“I should have called you last night,” I said simply.
Julie shook her head. “I wouldn’t have answered.”
“I know,” I said. “But I still should have called.”
“Maybe.” Julie shrugged. “But it’s not your fault. I just… freaked out.”
“I don’t blame you,” I said. “That was intense.”
Julie nodded and looked down at her hands. My heart was racing in my chest, just waiting for her to say she never wanted to see me again. When she didn’t speak for a few minutes, I decided to test my luck.
“I’m so sorry,” I said softly. “I had no idea you were Josh’s ex. Maybe I should have put the pieces together a long time ago, but I didn’t. If I knew, I never would have…” I stopped and shook my head.
“What?” Julie asked, her eyes flashing upward to meet mine. “You never would have what?”
“Made you have dinner with him,” I said simply.
Julie nodded and looked back down at her hands. She fiddled with her thumbs. Her cheeks were a faint shade of pink. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head.
“What are you thinking?” I asked gently.
“It’s just crazy, you know?” She looked up at me. “This entire situation. It’s insane.”
“I know.” I laughed softly. “It’s absurd.”
“I moved here to escape my relationship with Joshua,” Julie said. “I’m not proud of that fact, but it’s the truth. After he ended things, I just had to get away.”
“I understand.” I nodded.
“And somehow, I end up with his brother,” Julie said with a shake of her head. “What are the chances of that happening?”
“One in a million,” I said.
“More like one in a trillion,” Julie said.
I laughed, though none of this was funny. Julie looked so upset, so torn. I didn’t know what I could possibly do to make this right.
“I don’t want this to change things between us,” I said firmly. “I understand if you don’t want to see me anymore. I really do. But I hope you will. I like you so much, Julie.”
“I like you too,” Julie said with a tiny smile.
“This thing between us is so new,” I said quickly. “I hate the idea of my brother derailing us before we even really get started.”
“Me too.” Julie nodded. “He’s taken a lot from me already.”
“Then, don’t let him take this too,” I said. I slid across the couch, and suddenly, we were inches away from each other. I grabbed her hands and held them tightly. “You and me. We’re great together.”
“We are,” Julie nodded again. “I can’t argue with that.”
