Page 33 of Without You

“Do your parents know that?”

“Nah,” I answer, shaking my head. “They can’t be disappointed if I bail early if they don’t know I had any plans to stay.”

He nods in understanding, and I mull over my plan in my head. It’s not a very good one, but I know all I can do is try. And I will.

“I haven’t eaten Mexican food since Rhett died,” Julian randomly offers.

“Yeah,” I supply, appreciative of the segue into a new conversation. “Me either.”

“I guess we have a lot more in common than we thought.”

I laugh because it’s a simple, but very accurate observation. In any other circumstances, we would and could easily be friends.

We fall back into the easy silence, this time I put some music on for an added layer of protection, and continue on the drive.

We’re only five minutes out when a phone call comes through my Bluetooth system. Victoria’s name pops up on the screen.

I press the answer button on the inside of my steering wheel. “Hello.”

“Rhett must be looking down on us today, because we got a table straight away,” she blurts out. “We’re by the glass windows at the back. So, just bypass the front and walk right in.”

“Got it. We’re just pulling up in the parking lot. We’ll be in soon.”

“You and Julian are together?” she asks, the inflection in her voice makes it obvious this is news to her, and she is definitely surprised. “In the same car?” she adds.

“Yes, Victoria. And he can hear you,” I snap. “What’s the big deal? I picked him up this morning.”

“Nothing,” she sings. “I’ll see you when I see you.”

Annoyed, I turn into a parking space with a little more force than necessary and then turn the truck off. “You should go in without me. I won’t be long.”

“Don’t do that,” Julian scolds. My back stiffens, preparing myself for a fight. “That,” he insists, his hand landing on my shoulder. “Don’t go back into your shell because she asked a question. She’s curious and just teasing you.”

His fingers press into muscle, and my eyes follow the move. “Your mom is in a good mood, and you’re with your family. Who cares if they’re giving you a bit of shit. And for the record, you and I in a car together is a big deal,” he says with a smile in his voice. “All of this doesn’t happen very often. Enjoy the moment.”

Looking back up at him, I huff. “You’re making me sound like an ungrateful ass.”

“Ungrateful, no, but an ass?” He tilts his head to the side. “If the shoe fits, maybe.”

Turning to face him, I narrow my eyes.

“What?” he shrugs. “I can’t help it if there’s proof in the pudding. At least you’ve learned to tone it down a notch.”

His confidence and the ease of our banter drags a slow smirk out of me. I don’t know how we got here, but he’s right, it doesn’t happen very often; so I’m going to enjoy it.

“Get the hell out of my truck.”

Luckily the walk from the truck to the restaurant is less than twenty steps, because the air is somehow colder, the wind much stronger than it was an hour or so ago.

We huddle close together, like we’re trying to hide from the wind. When we reach the entrance, I pull at the glass door, opening it wide enough for us to both walk through. My hand finds the small of Julian’s back, guiding him in front of me.

The move is automatic.

Instinctual.

Muscle memory.

It feels natural, understated almost. Like something I’ve done my whole life.

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