tiny space. It wasn’t hard to take in the entire room, and it was impossible to miss the familiar face sitting by the window. I grinned and made my way over to her, reaching down to play with her hair.
She jumped when I touched her.
I laughed. “It’s just me. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Shit.” She laughed and put her hand on her chest. “Warn a girl next time, would you?”
“Sorry,” I said again.
She smiled at me, a faint pink hue on her cheeks. We hadn’t spoken since last night and, for a second, I wondered if she regretted what happened between us. Then, her foot found mine beneath the table, and all my worries disappeared.
“How’d the conference call go?” she asked.
“It was boring but necessary,” I said, flattered that she remembered to ask about my call. “How’s the job search?”
Julie’s computer was sitting on the table between us. It was open to yet another online journal. It seemed she, like me, had devoted the early morning to work.
“I have a Skype interview on Monday,” she said. “It’s with this online journal that specializes in small-town news. I figured it would be perfect. I can keep up with my writing and get to know this town better in the process. That is, if they hire me.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Shit happens.”
“You’ll get it,” I said confidently. “I’m sure.”
“It all depends on whether they like my stuff,” she said. “If my writing isn’t what they’re looking for, they’ll pass. And I’ll be back to square one.”
“Didn’t you work as a journalist up in Dallas?” I asked.
She nodded. “For three years,” she said. “But still, you never really know.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I said. “So, when do I get to read your stuff?”
She froze. I thought the question was innocent enough. I smiled playfully and poked her foot with mine beneath the table. And yet, her entire body tensed when the words left my lips. I frowned and sat back.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No,” she said quickly. “You didn’t. Not at all.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “Because—”
“A lot of my old stuff is online,” she said, talking over me. “You can look it up whenever you want.”
“I’ll do that.”
Julie smiled, but I could tell she was preoccupied by something. Her reaction to my question wasn’t at all what I expected. I wondered if I’d inadvertently crossed some line I didn’t know was there.
“Listen,” I said. “I have to get back to the office, but when can I see you again? Tomorrow night, maybe?”
“I’m busy tomorrow,” Julie said. “I have to go to my parents’ house for dinner. My sister is in town with her husband, and Mom wants the whole family together.”
“Ah,” I said with a nod. “Typical mom stuff.”
“Exactly.” She smiled and added, “But, I’m free Sunday.”
“Sunday is perfect.” I grinned, relief flooding my body. “I’ll see you then.”
I stood up to order my coffee and, when I did, I considered leaning down to kiss her. I don’t know what stopped me. My eyes found her lips, and I was immediately drawn in, but I forced myself to walk away. We’d had an incredible night, with mind-blowing sex, but we didn‘t think we were quite at the intimacy level of a public kiss.