Page 45 of You Were Invited
“Him?” Julian hesitated, but then said, “Yes.”
Annie immediately pictured Rich’s disgusting spittoon, but it was better to reserve judgment; after all, this was the first time Julian had called anyone his friend. It reminded her of his hesitancy to call Ellie and the others at the diner “friends,” and his refusal of her help. It seemed like Julian just wasn’t apt to beg for favors from anyone, if he hadn’t thought to ask Rich for help with his hand. Maybe Julian was just scared to invite more people into his world.
And who am I to judge him over that? I could definitely improve on my people skills.
“Am I a friend?” she teased him.
“I’d hope so,” Julian replied, snorting. He was quiet for a moment. “Though, I don’t kiss my friends, really, either.”
Annie blushed, regretting saying anything. She snorted, feeling squirmy.Dammit, what did I get myself into?
“How about some music?” she said after a second. She wanted to move on to something else, but she hoped she wasn’t hurting his feelings at the same time.
They chatted lightly. Annie had gone to bed late, but she couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt so energetic. She listenedwhile Julian recalled facts about the various songs that played on the radio. Eventually he moved onto the seedy and adventure-filled mining history of Northgold, weaving in minor details that Annie knew never would’ve made it into a standard history book.
They stopped at Buckeye's first. Annie picked up what she needed and helped Julian bring his items to the checkout counter. They put Julian’s things up first. While ringing them up, Rich’s chin tilted up and his eyes shifted between the two of them, but he didn’t say what he might have been thinkin’.
“Word was we oughta get a new Paul Bunyan.” Rich nodded to Julian’s bandages. “You gonna live?”
“I think so.” Julian winked at Annie as he pulled his wallet from his back pocket.
Before Annie spoke up, Rich added her items to the same transaction. Julian lay on the counter more than enough to cover the full cost.
“Oh! Julian.” Annie threw him a modest smile to bury her concern. Paying for her groceries was charming, but unnecessary. “I can pay for my things. Don’t worry about it.”
“You drove us to the store and took care of me.”
“That I did. But–”
“It’s for all the trouble I’ve caused.”
Annie snorted. “Trouble? You mean nearly losing a hand?”
Rich raised an eyebrow, then grabbed his spit jar. He hocked a wad into the glass before continuing to check out the groceries under Julian’s transaction.
They left the store and loaded their groceries into the back seat of Annie’s car. She grabbed the receipt and subtracted Julian’s items from hers, doing the math in her head.
“It’s no problem, Annie.” Julian smiled.
With that grin, it was tempting to accept the gift, but she couldn’t. He’d seemed super keen on not taking advantage of her earlier.No lingering debts to be owed. We’re just ships passing in the night.She got her wallet from her purse and had enough cash to spare. “I appreciate the gesture… It’s very sweet, but our agreement was one trip into town and one ruined coat.” She handed the crisp bills to him, smiling.
With a bemused frown, Julian accepted the cash. “Okay...” He stared back at her and raised a brow. “For now?”
She smirked. “Are you going to let me cook for you?”
A big belly laugh escaped him as he threw his head back. “I s’pose I have to.”
Annie got into the driver’s seat, hands resting at the bottom of the wheel. Julian buckled up. She tapped a finger. “Where do you even buy clothes in Northgold?”
“Greg’s Hardware and Department Store. They have coats.”
The corner of Annie’s lip turned up.
“What? Everyone in town shops there.”
“They have women’s coats? That aren’t for blue collar workers?” Annie checked her phone. It had been quiet for a couple of days, but with an upcoming fertility doctor’s appointment, she expected Molly would be chattier than usual. She found a text from Peter, and her heartbeat spiked for a good few seconds before she opened it. It read:
“I hope you’re having a great time! Let me know what day you want help moving.” (sent at 11:09 am)
