Page 34 of Being Julia

“Aw, you’re welcome, sweetheart,” she said as she hugged me.

I went upstairs and started a hot bath. I twisted my hair up, set my phone on the edge of the tub, and climbed in. I slid down until my head rested comfortably on the bath pillow. As I closed my eyes, the sweet smile of Jake Jensen filled my head. I couldn’t help but think of his six-foot height and his light brown, tousled hair, making him even sexier. The shape of his lips and the smile that came from them. A smile that made his green eyes light up and captivate me when he looked into mine. As I was dreaming about Jake, my phone beeped. I opened my eyes and looked over to see a text message from him. My heart raced as I read his message.

“Hi, Julia. It’s Jake. I just wanted to say goodnight and that I can’t wait until our date tomorrow night.”

I smiled because I couldn’t wait either. I dried off my hands and quickly responded.

“Hi, Jake. I’m very excited about our date. I can’t wait to see you again.”

I stepped out of the tub and slipped on my pajamas. I looked at the clock, and it was two a.m. Walking downstairs to get a glass of water, I saw my dad sitting on the couch in the living room.

“Dad, it’s late. Why aren’t you in bed?” I asked as I sat down next to him.

“I’ll be heading upstairs soon, princess. Shouldn’t you be in bed? You’ve had a long day.”

“I just came down for a glass of water,” I said as I sat next to him.

“I want you to know that I like Jake, and I approve.” He smiled as he put his arm around me.

“I like Jake too, and I’m glad you approve. But you know that it wouldn’t have mattered even if you disapproved.

“I know.” He sighed. “The women in my family are very defiant.”

“That’s because we don’t like to be controlled, Mr. Black,” my mom said as she entered the room. “There’s only one place where I let you control me.” She winked.

My dad got up from the couch and put his hands on my mom’s hips. “Would you like me to control you right now?” he asked with a smile.

“Oh my God! I’m going to bed!” I exclaimed as I got up and ran up the stairs before I could hear any more.

Icouldn’t sleep, so I got up and started making our family Sunday breakfast. My mom and dad walked into the kitchen just as I began to make the eggs.

“Good morning, princess. What’s all this?” my dad asked as he kissed my head.

“I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d make breakfast today.”

“Morning, baby,” my mom sleepily said as she kissed me.

“Morning, Mom. Can you go wake up Collin?”

My dad poured some coffee and sat down at the table. “Why couldn’t you sleep? Were you thinking about Jake?”

I turned to him and smiled. “Maybe.”

Collin and my mom walked into the kitchen. Collin looked so tired.

“You look tired,” I said as I poured him some coffee.

“Gee, maybe if I weren’t kept up all night, I wouldn’t be so tired. Let me tell the two of you something,” Collin said as he looked at our parents. “I can appreciate how much you love each other, but you’re old and have sex like you’re in your twenties. When you bought this house, you obviously didn’t consider the bedroom situation because my room is right next to yours and you don’t seem to care whether I can hear you or not. I’m asking you to please add on another bedroom to the house. Preferably way on the other side.”

With the spatula in my hand, I stood there in shock at what my brother had just said to our parents. My mom and dad looked at each other and then at Collin.

“Okay, son. We’ll add on another bedroom,” my dad said.

“That’s a great idea, Collin. I’m surprised we haven’t thought about it before.” My mom smiled.

“You know, Ellery. The family will only grow, so maybe we should just expand the house with more than just a bedroom. Think about it. Julia and Collin will get married someday and have kids of their own, and we’ll want them here in the summer to visit, so we need to make sure we have the room.”

“I agree, Connor, and I think we should do it.” She leaned over and kissed him.

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