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Chapter 1
“Can I buy you a drink?”
Julie looked up into a pair of hazel eyes. The stranger was extremely good looking. His suit was expensive, and he smelled of cologne. A year ago, Julie would have jumped at the opportunity of snagging him as a bet, but things had changed. She had changed.
“I have one. Thanks.” Julie lifted her glass and took a drink. She immediately dismissed him and focused on pulling down the length of her dress. Today had been a rough one. The last thing she wanted to worry about was adding to her stress.
“How about a dance?”
A sigh escaped. Julie looked back up and searched for something nice to say. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind. “Sorry, but I’m just here for the drinks. Thank you, though.”
The noise was through the roof tonight. Aside from the blaring music, chatter was buzzing through the small, downtown bar. Julie scanned the room trying to ignore the fact that the man was still standing next to her. He’d obviously just gotten off of work from one of the nearby buildings and was looking for a quick lay before he returned home. Maybe if she continued to ignore him, he’d go away.
The song ended and loud laughter overpowered the congested space. A dull pounding hammered away at the inside of Julie’s head. One more drink and she was out of here. She looked down at her watch. It was only ten, but she had to work in the morning. It was something she definitely wasn’t looking forward to. Her current client’s file was clean. The case was all but won. But the personality of the woman drove her insane. Maybe it was because Kathleen Ortega reminded Julie of her mother. Well, almost. At least this woman really was a mom to her kids. It was more than she could say about her own.
Julie finished off her drink. Before she could set down the glass, the stranger next to her was leaning forward. “I’ve got this one.” He motioned at the bartender. “Can she get another?”
“Make that a double, buddy.” Julie looked up to see her lover wedging himself between the two of them. She held in her laugh and looked over at the man in the suit. He nodded at the bartender, laid some cash on the bar, and walked away. Only then did Julie start laughing. She gave Taylor a look and he shrugged.
“What? Can’t fault a guy for trying to get a free drink. Nice man, there. You get his name?”
Julie raised one of her eyebrows. “Nope. I wasn’t interested. Why do you ask? Are you jealous?” She picked up the new glass and took a drink.
Taylor pulled the barstool closer and sat down. The kiss he placed on her cheek was so light that she hardly felt it. “I’m not allowed to be jealous, remember? Your rules.”
“Ah, I see.” Julie took another drink. As she sucked down a quarter of the vodka, she thought about the signs Taylor was throwing her way lately. She could tell he was looking to become serious, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. The last thing she wanted to do was end things with him, but if Taylor was looking to settle down, she was a horrible choice for a partner.
“What do you say we get out of here and go back to my place?” Taylor gave her a smile and Julie felt her stress fade.
“My place.”
He laughed and shook his head. “I don’t see why you never want to go to mine. We’ve been together for months now, Jules. You should come to my apartment.”
“Together?”
He groaned. “You know what I mean. Friends with benefits. Lovers.” He wagged his eyebrows. “Or my favorite name you’ve given me, your boy toy.”
“I’ll go if you stop doing that, but just for tonight.”
“Whoo!” Taylor stood and grabbed her hand. “I think I just won the lottery. Do you know how many times I’ve asked you?”
“Countless.” Julie laughed. “Now let’s get going. My mind is already beginning to change.”
