Julian snickered. The man could easily down a half dozen donuts at one sitting, but his abs were in no danger of disappearing anytime soon.
Spencer laughed. “Still a solid gut, babe,” he bragged.
“Let’s keep it that way,” Tabitha joked.
Spence patted his tummy happily, then turned back to Julian. “Anything special for you?” he asked.
What will take the longest…?
After a moment’s pause, Jules had it. “Yeah. Can you get me one of those espresso mocha-lattés, with cinnamon and brown sugar sprinkles? And also have them toast a corn muffin for me, slathered in butter.”
“Got it. One serving of grain, and a girly drink,” Spence teased.
He received a punch from Tabbi, which didn’t faze the man at all as she reprimanded him. “Leave your brother alone, and stop pretending he’s the only one with questionable food and beverage choices, Mr. Whipped-Cream-filled donut freak.” She made a gagging sound, then reached up and took Spence by the shoulders, spinning him around before giving him a light shove toward the door. “Now get moving.”
Spencer laughed as he cheerfully exited.
Tabitha turned immediately to Jules once he was gone.
“Okay, spill,” she demanded, removing her coat and sitting down on the edge of the desk with a sharp, all-knowing, and canny look on her face.
“What?” Julian attempted innocence, but…
Nah. He was too keyed up to play it coy. “Okay, fine,” he admitted. “There’s a woman I’m interested in, and I need your help.”
Tabbi sat forward excitedly. “Really? That’s awesome. Who is she?”
Now that Julian had made his declaration, he instantly had second thoughts, feeling almost reluctant to give up his crush’s name. But that wouldn’t get him anywhere, so…
“Petula Bothswait,” he rushed out.
“Pe…Petula?” Tabitha blinked, and all the excited starch left her body. “As in our UPS delivery person, Petula?”
Why did she suddenly look deflated? Should Julian be worried?
“Uh, yeah,” he managed. “Why? Is that a problem?”
“For you, maybe.” Tabbi shook her head.
“Me? Explain, please,” Julian implored. A bit of uncertainty rose within him. Wasn’t he good enough for Petula?
“Well,” Tabbie began, “scuttlebutt has it that Petula doesn’t do men.”
Julian felt his heart skip a beat. “Ah, damn. Women, then?”
“Oh. No, no,” Tabitha corrected immediately, which had his pulse resuming.
“That came out wrong.” She regrouped. “What I meant to say is, word-on-the-street has it that she doesn’t date at all.”
Julian hated hearing that confirmed. “That’s what she said, but I wasn’t sure if it was true, or if it was her way of letting me down.”
Then, as if by magic, something positive suddenly occurred to him. “Wait a minute. That means she wasn’t opposed to me, personally, just dating in general. Which means I might be able to change her mind.” He beamed at the possibility.
“I don’t know, Jules…” Tabitha trailed off.
“Well, I do. I’m determined here, Tabbi. So will you help me?” His voice cracked a bit, but he really was counting on some female aid.
“I’m not sure. Petula is…” Tabbi trailed off again and didn’t restart.
