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“This place has changed quite a bit. I remember my dad and I coming here, but that was so long ago.”
Fuck! Her father, my chief. Her words brought me back to reality, the looming admission I had to spill. I decided it’d be best to tell her, even if it was our last day together. I’d hate for her see me as another betrayer in her path. I panicked for a moment, because I brought her here without thinking about the other firemen that could see us. Miller, Russ, and Smith usually came down here. Idiot. Though I was sure they were busy with the charity ball and wouldn’t be here. Still, I couldn’t help but look around. I hated this feeling.
“Hello, earth to Nathan.” Julia snapped her fingers. “I want to get to know you more, mister.” She poked at my chest.
“All right, shoot.”
“What’s your favorite food?” Julia asked leaning herself on my arm, her green eyes looking up at me.
“The first date questions, I hate those.” I remarked. Julia scrunched her nose. “Aren’t we passed those anyway? I mean, maybe we should dive into sex instead since you’re so adventurous…” She narrowed her eyes, and there was a serious threat behind that innocent stare. “But, I guess we could throw a twist on the same old questions.”
“Ok, you go first then,” she challenged me with a sly smirk.
“All right,” I cracked my knuckles trying to think of something good. “What’s the one food you haven’t eaten that someone would be surprised at?”
Julia’s mouth moved side to side in thought. “Hmm…” She sat there pondering for a few moments, her chin being held up by her hand, and she looked so cute. “Oh!” She straightened up quickly. “I’d have to say sushi because it’s a New York staple around my office.” She stuck her tongue out, slightly closing her eyes. This woman would be the end of me. “But I can’t imagine eating anything slimy and disgusting, and worst of all… cold and raw.” She shuddered.
I laughed in agreeance. “Sushi, ok. I get it, it’s not for everyone. You said your office, what do you do for work?”
Julia giggled, taking my hand into hers. Her thumb massaged my palm in circular motion. “You would ask about my job. Anyway, I hope you’re ready, because this is going to be a long-winded, passionate, and well… rather boring proclamation.”
I laced my fingers with hers, “I don’t think anything you say could possibly be boring.” I kissed her lips softly to show her my attention was completely focused on her words.
Her life seemed so chaotic and, to be honest, pretty exciting. Though, I never knew that someone could be so obsessed with deadlines, organization, and color-coordinating their planner. Certainly, all the insight I needed into how she operated. She seemed to have everything figured out, except us or her fiancé. How could that be?
Things began to click when she mentioned how her fiancé introduced her to Mitchell, her boss. Oh, and how the penthouse she lived in was a graduation gift from Robbie’s rich parents. She mentioned everything about her dreams, all the things she had, not one of which was love. Even as she talked, she seemed so happy, yet I could tell it wasn’t complete. The boxes were checked, but the catch was heavy. Life with Robbie. Was she really happy?
On my salary, I couldn’t even give her a tenth of what she had, which threw me for a loop. Contrary to her words, I didn’t believe that she was in the least bit materialistic. No. I thought she was driven by goals and saw an opportunity. Sounded like she was presented with a chance to accomplish something, a shortcut with Robbie. I just thought that swallowed her up. Still, I couldn’t give her that, not on my salary. Could I be enough?
The waiter came by to drop off Julia’s steaming slice of cheese pizza and glanced towards me, “And for our local hero, who we can’t thank enough, this is on the house.” The waiter sat my plate down as I thanked him. Great, here we go. He leaned over to Julia, giving a sly whisper, “You’ve got the best guy around here,” he winked at her, invoking her pale pink cheeks to glow more vibrant.
Once the waiter left, Julia’s bewildered eyes widened, and her mouth stayed open as I turned red from embarrassment. Why like this? “Ummm, excuse me? Hero? Oh wow, this entire time I’ve… I’ve been gabbing on about myself.” She gasped and covered her mouth. “Ok, Captain America, who are you, what do you do?” Julia’s warm eyes stared up with intrigue. I couldn’t kiss my way out of this one, no matter how bad I wanted to.
I worried about her reaction, especially after all she had been through. Please god don’t let her throw pizza on my face. Their food melted my tongue, I couldn’t imagine it on my skin. Though, after the chief fired me, I supposed I could become the phantom of Reggie’s by the Slice. Focus!
“Honestly, I’d rather hear more about you. But there is something I need to talk to you about…” I stopped as I heard Julia’s loud gasp. Her gripping hand pulled away from mine as she sat frozen.
I couldn’t believe it, of all the places, standing at our booth, a familiar face. Caught.
16
Julia
How could this be? I was truly startled, caught off guard as my world turned upside down. Lost in the gaze of the apparent hero who sat beside me, I never once thought this would happen. The one person I dreaded seeing hovered above us with a sly smile. This only happened in dreams. No. Nightmares. Confronted now in the most horrible way. I couldn’t understand how Robbie found me.
He quietly sat across from us, his hands folded on the table. I wished I could run, just as we did at the theatre, laughing towards an exit that could last forever. But this was reality, the lies I had woven were coming back to haunt me. Nathan sat cool, his eyes stern and focused. This was a war, and heads had to roll.
Robbie’s face shuddered with disgust and anger. “Is this what you’ve been up to? Is this exactly why you wanted a trip over here by yourself, to see this fucking asshole?” He yelled out. Nathan sat stoically unfazed, his eyes calculating. I could see the wheels turning, looking for a reason, the slightest hint to hunt.
“As if you’ve been so innocent.” I spat back in a viscous whisper. “You remember Eve, don’t you? My best friend, the one you…”
“Yeah, I’d never stoop this low, Julia.” He cut me off, obviously deflecting. “What the hell anyway… this chump? He couldn’t give you what you want. I can and did!” Robbie pointed at Nathan, his lips hidden, tucked in his mouth as if to keep from biting. His rage was unconcealed, catching the stares of nearby patrons.
“You need to walk away,” Nathan’s deep voice growled between us, “before you get hurt.”
The chattering restaurant grew silent. The once clamoring sound of silverware was now replaced with whispered concerns.
“Nathan,” I scooted out of the booth, placing my hand on Nathan’s chest to cease him. “I’ve got this. Just give me a moment,” I whispered. His eyes were dark with hatred, but a part of me felt that all he intended to do was protect me.
