“Julian is trouble. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” He practically growled at me beforestormingout.
It was the second time he’d come in only to stir things up. He hadn’t ordered food either time, and his jabs seemed to be more than just a boy with a crush. He didn’t know me and our brief history flirting back and forth certainly didn’t point to long termcommitment.
So why did this keephappening?
I walked back to the kitchen ignoring the family that was just seated in my section. They would have to wait. Julian was waiting for me as soon as I walked through the door, standing in the middle of the room not working on anyorders.
“What the hell is the deal with you andTyler?”
He raised his brows in question, tilting his head slightly. A silent urge for me togoon.
“That is more than just a boy rejected. He’spsychotic.”
“That’s funny, considering that’s what people usually sayaboutme.”
“Julian, I can’t do this. I don’t understand why people seem to hate you so much. You gotta let me in.” I pleaded with him, not caring about the restaurant responsibilities we both had. The same ones we were currentlyignoring.
The late morning had gone from sweet and playful to tense in a matter of minutes. I couldn’t handle the whiplash. I was healing, and I was putting myself back out there. I was feeling normal. But I still wasn’t in a position to deal with the emotional demands of situationslikethis.
“Julian,” I said again when he didn’t respond. “I’m serious. I want to explore this. I do. But you’re going to have to open yourself up to me if there’s any chance of it turning into anything beyond stolen kissesatwork.”
“You’re right.” He adjusted his hat with one hand, while he ran the other down his face. “This isn’t the place, though. Let me take you to the caves tonight. I promisewe’lltalk.”
“Okay,” I said compliantly and walkedbackout.
I spent the rest of the shift trying to ignore Julian, but still painfully aware of him at the same time. It was exactly like it was before our kiss and I wondered if that’s how it would always be. I hoped things would change. That theycouldchange.
Because I knew my limits, and right now I was dangerously close tobreaking.
ChapterEighteen
Julian
Ipulledup to her house a couple hours before sunset. Katie was sitting on her porch waiting for me, bundled up in a warm jacket, hat and scarf. It was only in the sixties. I couldn’t wait to see her when it really got cold. She would look like one of those giant balloons from the parade they televised everyThanksgiving.
As soon as she saw me, Katie walked up to the car and got in. She was rubbing her hands together and breathing onto them trying to warmherselfup.
“Hey,” she said, finally looking over. Her gaze didn’t quite meetmyeyes.
Turns out our first date was going to be an awkward one. Not what I had wanted, but I'd been serious when I told her I felt the connection between us and I wanted to explore it. If that meant getting some unpleasantness out of the way first, sobeit.
I wasn’t going tobackdown.
“I’m glad you are coming with me,” I saidtruthfully.
“It’s been a long time. I’m excited to see it again. There’s nothing like it inFlorida.”
“Do youmissit?”
“Thecaves?Yeah.”
“No, I mean Florida. You’ve been back here in River Valley for a while now. Do you miss your home inFlorida?”
“Right now, I’m missing the heat,” she said, as one corner of her mouth lifted and I was happy to see she was beginning torelax.
I forced myself to look away and watch the road instead. “It’s not even thatcoldyet.”
“This is full blown winter weather for my thin blood.” She sighed. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do when it getscolder.”
