Julie laughed. “Not yet,” she said. “But I won’t find anything if you keep distracting me.”
“Distracting you?” I asked. I raised my eyebrows and grinned, knowing she couldn’t see me.
“First this morning,” she said with a sigh. “And now, this phone call. How’s a girl ever supposed to get anything done?”
“I’ll make you a deal,” I said.
“Oh?” Julie asked playfully.
“I’ll stop distracting you,” I said. “If you agree to come to dinner with me tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night?” I could hear the hesitation in her voice, and my stomach dropped.
“Just dinner,” I said quickly. “I know a place.”
Julie paused for a second, and I held my breath. I’d been flying so high after my conversation with Timothy that I didn’t even consider the possibility that she might say no.
“Sure,” Julie said. “Sounds great.”
“Text me your address,” I said. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
***
Thursday dragged on miserably. I barely worked that day. Marcy kept asking if I was okay, but I was more than okay. Just the prospect of seeing Julie again was enough to keep my spirits high. I was concerned about how into her I already was, but I decided to run with it. What was the worst that could happen?
“I’m out of here,” I told Marcy as I pulled my office door closed behind me. “See you tomorrow.”
“Have fun tonight, Mr. Smart.” Marcy grinned slyly.
“Been eavesdropping, Marcy?” I asked.
“Never.” Marcy winked, making me laugh. I shook my head and hurried outside, climbing behind the wheel of my car and speeding toward home.
Once I was showered and dressed, I left to pick up Julie. She came to the door dressed in a simple blue dress that made her eyes even more striking. Her hair was curled slightly, drawing my eyes and making my heart race.
“You look gorgeous,” I said. “Not that you need to be told.”
“A woman always needs compliments,” Julie said wisely. “Even if she says otherwise.”
I laughed and held out my arm to her. She took it and let me lead her to the car. We climbed inside, and I drove us to Dallas. The restaurant I picked was a classy steakhouse that was reasonably casual. It left room to relax without the pressures of overly-fine dining.
“This is great,” Julie said as we sat down. “Steak sounds amazing.”
“Oh, thank god,” I said. “I was worried you’d be one of those salad and soup girls.”
“Salad and soup?” Julie raised her eyebrows.
“You know the kind,” I said. “They’re too afraid to eat on the first date, so they order something tiny and pick at it nervously. Drives me nuts.”
“You don’t have to worry about that with me.” Julie laughed. “Food is lif
e.”
“Amen to that.” I grinned just as the waiter appeared.
We ordered a bottle of red wine and a steak each. By the time the food arrived, we were so deep in conversation that I barely noticed my plate. If it weren’t for the way Julie’s eyes lit up when she saw her steak, I wouldn’t have eaten a bite.
“Oh god,” Julie moaned. “This is so good.”