Page 35 of Barefoot Dreams
A few minutes later she extends a cup my way with a sweet cherry scent pouring out of it. I inhale it greedily and stifle a moan because how in the world had she managed to replicate the scent of her in this tea? It’s identical. Down to the last note.
“Sorry, I don’t really own a dining table and chairs, do you want to sit on the couch or the window?”
“Dining rooms are overrated. The window sounds great.”
Julie brightens with that soft smile of hers and I realize I’d sit on the damn pile of crap if she asked me to.
The windowsill—that is more like a small patio that is propped with pillows all over, so we settle into the corners across from each other, with our knees drawn up but there’s not that much room, so they are touching.
Just the barest of contact. A feather touch and I’m so grateful it’s dark out. So, so grateful. Because not only is my dick out of control but my heart has zero interest in being subtle as well.
“So, you were out with double-trouble tonight?” she asks, taking a sip of her own tea as she watches me from the brim of the mug. The light dusting of freckles over her nose playing hide and seek with me.
“Ha, that’s what I called them too.” I laugh. “Yeah, Alec came to my rescue when Mom was whoring me out all over town, so I escaped with him.”
It’s Julie’s turn to choke on her liquids. “Whoring you out?”
“Mm-hmm, I guess she decided I need to get married or something along the lines. So she was introducing me to any and all women here.”
“Sounds like Izzy.” Julie snickers and then quiets down for a bit, her gaze shifting to the ocean ahead. “Don’t mind your mom. You know how they all are here. They love to meddle, and they think everyone needs to be in love. Our mom manages to reach Callum all the way in the middle of the ocean to pester him,” Julie adds, shaking her head.
“Seriously?”
“Mm-hmm. Just last week she sent him tips on asking someone out.”
A laugh bursts out of me because I can just imagine Cal’s face when he saw that email.
“I don’t think he needs any help with that. The amount of girls that guy—” I cut myself off when Julie’s face twists with disgust. “Sorry.” I chuckle.
“I’m well aware of all the broken hearts he left in his wake over here, I just like to pretend to be oblivious to all of it.” She shudders at the thought, and I can’t help but laugh some more.
“I guess you have it even worse, living right next to her.”
“Uh, no.” She shifts as if uncomfortable but not from the position she’s sitting in.
“What do you mean, no?”
“Mom never pressures me about marriage or kids.”
I gape at her.
“What kind of herb did you use and how quickly can I get one?”
Julie chuckles. “Now he wants to use my herbs for his selfish purposes.”
“I’m not above begging, Birdy.”
I should’ve missed the small hitch in her breath amidst the sound of softly crushing waves, but I didn’t.
What was just a silly, light conversation, suddenly feels like more. There’s a note of tension in the air around us and everything inside me screams to retreat. To go back into the comfort zone I’ve lived in for decades around her.
But…
“Would you like me to? Beg?” I ask.
“Would you?” She slowly turns her head my way, watching me carefully with an emotion I’m too scared to pinpoint.
“For you? Always, Birdy.” There’s that hitch again and she tears her gaze away from mine, severing the note of tension off.
