Page 104 of The Charmer

My muscles went on lockdown even more. Shit, we should probably have talked about this. I didn't know how to react. I mean, we were dating now, but were we still faking the relationship part? If that even made sense to anyone but me.

"I like to spoil my woman," Julian replied.

"I’ll see you two at the Landry party," Robert said.

"Of course you will."

"Good. I look forward to chatting with you." He shook Julian's hand again before bidding us goodbye.

Once he left, Julian glanced at me. "You okay?"

"That felt a bit bizarre."

"For me too. Not really sure why."

"We should talk about the Landry party now, don’t you think?" I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Don't fret over that, Georgie, okay? It'll all work out."

"You’re right.” I shook myself out of my thoughts. I didn’t have to think about any of that tonight. “Please, be my tour guide from here until we reach your home."

"Since we're in the neighborhood anyway, do you want beignets?"

"Usually, I don’t turn them down, but right now, I really am truly too full."

"All right, then. Let's avoid the corner of Decatur and Ursulines, then."

"Good plan."

As we walked, Julian kept pointing out several buildings where his family either had business or were points of interest for them. His house was on Marais Street near Governor Nicholls Street. I didn't remember the last time I'd been around here, though I'd probably passed it on the way to Esplanade Avenue a few times. It was relatively quiet. The houses were quaint, and one in particular looked as if it had been renovated recently. The coat of paint was near perfect.

He pointed at the very same building. “This is my home.” The facade was light blue, and the balcony railing was painted either dark blue or black. It had two stories, with three windows on each. It was exactly the kind of house I wanted to own one day.

Once inside, I was stunned by the mix of modern and traditional. The kitchen was ultramodern with marble countertops. The TV area looked like something out of a futuristic movie as well, with a sliding panel that could be pushed out of the way when no one was watching. The corridor paid tribute to the age of the house with a huge crystal chandelier and exposed brick walls with a staircase that led to the upper level. He took off his suit jacket, then helped me out of my coat, putting them on a rack by the entrance. We took off our shoes too.

“This place is absolutely stunning. Did you move in here recently?" I asked.

"No. I've been here ten years, but I renovated the facade last year."

"Do you have a courtyard as well?"

"A small one."

He led me to a door with an old-fashioned window on the other end of the living room, and we peeked outside. It was rather dark, but I could spot a bench in the courtyard. It was all paved with stones.

Julian came behind me and whispered in my ear, "Want us to take the nightcap outside?"

"Oh, I forgot about the nightcap." I turned around to face him. "No, let's keep the party here. What did you have in mind?"

"I've got an excellent rum I just scouted for the bars. Would you like a shot?"

My eyes bulged. "I didn't know you could drink rum in a shot."

"Most times you don't, but this one is exquisite."

I nodded. “Sure.”

We walked to the kitchen island, and he took a bottle out from under it, along with two shot glasses.

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