Page 37 of Embracing Trust

“Isn’t it difficult to come back from six years of such…I don’t know… routine? Discipline? I’m sure the way your day looks now is so completely different. Isn’t that difficult? To adjust?”

She doesn’t know much about the Army, but she is bright and easily picks up on my challenges. “That’s the most difficult. Trying to fit back in. I still wake up every morning around four o’clock and run five miles.”

Her mouth drops open. “Still?”

I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter what time I go to bed. It’s like my body has its own alarm clock.”

She laughs. “That sounds annoying.”

“Are you still a night owl?”

She considers my question. “Not as much and I try to get up earlier too.” She drags a chip through the salsa.

“I’ll call you at four next time and get you out for a run. You still run?”

“I do. A few times a week. Normally on the beach, but I prefer my run to happen much later than four. I also invested in a good bike, so I like riding around town and over to Hamilton. On a really ambitious day, I ride over to Victory.”

“Victory? That’s quite a ride.”

Julia takes another sip of the margarita and licks the salt from her top lip. If this routine continues, I’m not going to be able to keep my hands to myself. Her eyes are bright and expressive. Her face—exactly like I remember. Her body. Still beautiful, but with more curves. She’s filled out in all the right places.

“Ryan?”

She pulls me out of my stupor. “Yeah?”

“Lost you there for a minute.”

I take a drink before I say something stupid.

“Do you like biking?” she asks.

I’m the luckiest bastard in this place—sitting here with the most beautiful woman as my date.

“Patrick has a nice bike and I’ve taken it out a few times.”

Julia perks up. “Perfect. Let’s go riding sometime.”

I swallow hard and force myself not to ask her if she wears short, tight biking shorts and a sports bra, but I can’t help thinking about it.

Our food arrives and we talk more about our families, her photography business and we reminisce about the good times in high school. It’s almost as if the six years we’ve been apart have somehow evaporated and we’ve never missed a moment.

I can’t help but notice when the strap of Julia’s dress is close to slipping off her shoulder. She’s talking about her job. Although I’m listening, I’m tempted to reach over and help the strap the rest of the way off her silky shoulder.

Julia laughs and pulls me from my dirty thoughts. “Are you even listening?”

I smirk. “Yeah, I’m listening, but I’m wishing that strap on your dress would slip completely off.”

Julia lets out a light gasp and quickly rights the strap. The toe of her sandal taps my shoe. She grins. “That’s not very nice. You wouldn’t even care if my dress fell off and embarrassed me in front of everyone?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t let that happen in here, but maybe later though…when we’re alone.” I raise an eyebrow and give her my megawatt smile.

Julia leans her head back and laughs, which shows her elongated neck. Her sun-kissed skin is irresistible, and I can only imagine what it would feel like with my lips exploring it.

Julia’s face reddens. “Feeling pretty confident, are we?”

I shrug and hold up my hands as if I’m pleading my innocence. “Hey, a guy can dream, right?”

“Sometimes dreams can come true,” she says, her voice is soft. She takes another drink from her margarita.

---