When I reach Eli’s place, I kill the engine and exit the vehicle. I haven’t been here in so long I feel like a damn stranger as I knock on the door. It flies open seconds later, and I’m met by Kate. She’s a stunner.
“Julian,” she says, pulling me in for a hug. “I really didn’t think you’d actually come.”
Furrowing my brows, I have to ask, “Why wouldn’t I?”
“It’s been too long,” Kate tells me, stepping aside before gesturing for me to enter. I step inside and immediately feel the warmth of their home. You can tell the people who live here love each other immensely. I haven’t felt that in my house for a long time. Not since my father was alive. And that saddens me because I never thought my life would end up the way it has.
“It’s been one of those lifetimes,” I tell her as I make my way into the living room where she follows me.
“How are things going, though?” Kate asks as Eli comes in from the kitchen holding a beer out to me. I gratefully accept it.
“Hey, man,” I greet my friend, and we shake hands before we settle on the sofa. “Thanks for having me over.”
“You know you’re always welcome here, even if your grumpy ass is not in the mood.” Eli and I banter all the time. Most people would think we’re fighting or something, but it’s just how we are.
He was the grumpy bastard for a long time, until Kate.
“Yeah, but at times, being alone is the only thing I can muster.”
“What about your new assistant?” This comes from Kate, and I can tell she’s excited to hear the news.
“I don’t know. I mean, she’s okay. I haven’t paid that much attention to her.” I tell them the lie with a shrug
“Bullshit,” Eli calls me out quickly. This man can see right through me, and he knows it. I sit back, crossing my left ankle over my right knee as I regard him with narrowed eyes. “Don’t even try to lie, Julian,” he tells me. “I know you, and that expression right there is a man interested.”
“Okay, so maybe I am interested in her, but she works for me. What is that old saying? ‘Don’t mix business with pleasure’?”
“So, you’ve obviously thought about it,” he challenges, and I can’t help but sigh, which has him laughing. Asshole. “I knew it. Why don’t you just take her out on a date or something? I mean, I’m not saying marry the woman, but you don’t know what could happen.”
“And if it doesn’t work out, she’ll quit, and then I’m once again left with nobody to run the gallery.” He tips his head to the side and shrugs. He knows I’m right. Granted, he and Kate worked together temporarily, but that’s different. They had history, and he loved her as much as she loved him. Them being close to each other only solidified their feelings. Whereas Nea and I are strangers, and I can’t put that on her. I mean, yes, she’s gorgeous, and I wouldn’t mind taking her out, but she could turn around and hate me, and then what?
“You’re overthinking it, Julian,” Kate speaks up. “She can refuse a date, and she may agree and not feel the same, but you’re both grownups, and that means you can be professional about it. Spend some time with her outside the gallery and work. If you don’t feel it, or if she doesn’t feel anything after a night sitting at opposite ends of the table, then so be it.”
“Why do my friends have more sense than I do?”
“Because you just haven’t reached our level of maturity.” Eli guffaws when I flip him the finger.
“Stop being an asshole,” I bite out, but even through my annoyance at my good friend, I know he’s looking out for me, and Kate is too, which is appreciated more than they know.
“Just telling it like it is.” He winks, and I roll my eyes, which has Kate giggling as she watches us throw banter back and forth.
“Okay, girls,” she says finally, pushing to her feet. “Let’s eat, and then we can talk about how Julian is going to make Nea fall in love with him,” she teases, and I can’t help but groan. They’re not going to give it a rest until I’ve asked Nea to dinner. Perhaps it’s not a bad idea. She’s pretty, nothing like the women I usually go for, but there’s nothing wrong with being different. Even though I was frustrated at her ink and perfume which, if I had to be honest with myself, was only because the scent captured my attention and held me hostage.
As dinner passes by and we chat amongst ourselves, I realize the more I see how Kate and Eli are together, the more I want that. A relationship on equal footing, the smiles and the banter, but more so, the companionship that comes with it. Having someone there for you when you need is what I’ve been missing, and as I watch my friends, I know I have to take a chance on this.
“Thank you for dinner,” I tell them both as I say my goodbyes. It’s almost midnight, and I’ve enjoyed the evening, but I need some alone time to think about the best way to go about asking out Nea.
“It was good having you, man,” Eli says, slapping me on the shoulder.
“Thank you for spending time with us.” Kate pulls me in for a hug, and I can’t help but feel thankful I have good friends who look out for me.
As I make my way home, my mind is spinning with possibilities on what would happen if Nea says no, and also, if she says yes. I don’t know how I’d feel if she says yes, but I do know that if she refuses, I’d feel disappointed.
And that doesn’t sit well with me.
Chapter 10
Nea
I haven’t seen Julian all day. He’s been holed up in the studio and told me to focus on the upcoming event. I don’t know why he keeps me around when I’m clearly frustrating him. Even though he says he needs the help, I have a feeling he doesn’t like people in his space.
Shaking my head, I try to clear my mind of the curiosity that’s currently burning through my mind and open my emails. We have the caterer booked, as well as the menu of hors d’oeuvres that are meant to be served. I’ve chosen the champagne, ensuring that it’s been signed off by Julian. Now all I need to do is go through the RSVPs and send out a thank you note to those who are attending.
When I look at the clock again, I notice its already lunchtime. I’ve gotten lost on the internet looking at expensive furnishings for various events we can run, and the excitement of that’s got me on my feet and racing to the kitchen.
But when I walk into the room, it’s empty. I wanted to tell Julian about what I found, but he’s still locked up in his studio, which means I probably won’t see him until tomorrow morning again.
I make my lunch, a sandwich with some salad leaves, tomato, and mozzarella, which I cut into triangles before grabbing my mug of fresh brew. Heading out onto the porch, I set my coffee and plate down on the small whitewashed table that sits beside the bench.
I take a moment to appreciate where I am. That I’m employed, and that I’m actually enjoying what I’m doing, even if my boss is a pain in the ass. The moment the thought passes, I hear his heavy boots clomping on the floor as he joins me outside.
He’s carrying his own mug, and I wonder if it’s coffee in there or something else. On the morning of my interview, he was clearly hungover. I wondered if he had a problem, but since then, I haven’t noticed it again. He doesn’t look at me but stands with his attention focused on the garden. I want to say something, but the moment he’s near me, my nerves attack.