Page 43 of Being Julia

“I dreamed of doing that all night,” he said.

“I dreamed of you doing it all night.” I smiled.

“Is that so?” he whispered as he kissed me again.

“Yes,” I whispered back.

“Good morning, Jake.” My dad smiled as he and my mom walked into the kitchen.

Jake quickly removed his hands from my hips and took a step back. “Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Black.”

My mom smiled at him.

“Jake, you can call us Ellery and Connor. There’s no need to be so formal. Especially if you’re going to be dating our daughter.”

“Okay. Thank you, Ellery.” He gave her a nod.

I took his hand and led him over to the table. We sat down, talked, ate our bagels, and drank coffee.

“Do you have any plans today?” I asked.

“Actually, I do.”

I was disappointed when he said that because I hoped we could spend the day together.

“Oh, what are you doing?” I asked as if it was any of my business.

“I’m spending the day with you.” He smiled.

A wide grin spread across my face as I leaned over and kissed him.

Connor

Jake stood in the living room and looked at one of Julia’s paintings while she was upstairs getting her things together.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I spoke.

“Yes. It’s stunning. Who painted it?”

“Julia,” I replied.

Jake turned around and looked at me with a shocked expression on his face.

“I know. That’s how I felt when I saw her mother’s paintings for the first time.” I smiled.

“Wow. Julia told me she painted, but I had no idea she could paint like that.”

“She gets her talent from her mother and my sister, Cassidy. I own an art gallery in Chicago where more of her paintings are on display, along with Ellery’s. Maybe, sometime soon, you can fly with us to Chicago, and you can see for yourself.”

“Thanks. I would like that.”

“Listen, Jake,” I said as I looked at him. “I don’t know what Julia has told you about me, but I’m very protective of her, and I look out for her safety.”

“And you should because that’s what a father is supposedto do for his children. You don’t have to worry about Julia when she’s with me, Connor. I’ll make sure she’s always safe. I know I’ve only known her a few days, but I already feel like I’ve known her forever. I can’t even describe the feeling I get when I’m with her.”

“You don’t have to. I already know that feeling. Just do me a favor and be careful. If you know what I mean.”

“Oh my God! Dad!” Julia exclaimed as she and Ellery walked into the room.

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