Chapter Twenty Eight

The apartment was empty, and that was no treat to return to. After the weekend which had been near enough perfect, Julia had had to return to work, Abi and Luke had another day, so they got up later and made their way to the museum to view her exhibit, and to hear her talk to some schools that had made the trip.

Later in the evening, they all met for drinks in a famous bar in Times Square, but by eight pm they were sat on the roof deck of Aaron's apartment watching the sun lower over Manhattan, eating food and sharing a bottle of wine. Abi was cuddled up to Luke on a huge bean bag, her head on his lap, looking up at the jet streams weaving across the sky. Once they all started streaming their favourite songs, and sang, talked, and laughed, the night flew. They all went to bed reluctantly.

The next morning, they all got up together, but Julia left alone, Abi and Luke flew at midday, and Aaron had tied in his flight to Chicago so that they could travel to the airport together. Julia could have gone with them, but she wasn't up to another public goodbye, having Abi staying had been amazing, but her leaving felt even harder this second time.

When she got to work, she had a photo sent to her phone from Abi, her with Luke and Aaron at the departure gate, all three were blowing her a kiss. She'd typed a message below it.

Been amazing to see you. Don't let anything get you down...BE this happy always. I love you J. Call me, ALL the time.

Julia had stared at the photo for ages, Abi's beaming grin, Luke had his usual content face, then Aaron, that knowing smirk. Even in that picture he seemed to be staring into her, unnerving her. He got her. More than anyone else, other than Abi. And it still terrified her.

After a busy day, she was back in the apartment, the empty one. And it felt overwhelmingly sad. But it was Aaron's face that she missed the most...if she let herself think that deeply.

She turned on the TV, made coffee...then started on some leftovers. Chilli. Her favourite. But it tasted bland and uninteresting. Sat on the sofa, she reached for the t-shirt of Aaron's that she'd worn to bed and sniffed it. It smelled of him. Even though she tried to deny it, that was comforting, so she laid it over the kitchen then lay flat out on the sofa, the dogs at her feet and stared at the TV without watching it.

She could have been there thirty minutes or two hours, she had no clue, but a message causing her phone to vibrate pulled her from her reverie.

Bet the place is vacuous with just you there.

There was a brief pause, then another ping.

Missing me?

Aaron Harding, she cursed under her breath. You never let it lie. She wasn't about to admit even to herself how perceptive he was, because it was the truth.

Instead, she snapped a photo of her bare legs, crossed at the ankles, Cliffy and Coco curled up on her thighs, before sending him the picture, she added a caption.

How can anyone be lonely with these two?

She could almost hear him laughing at that, he'd see it as the diversion tactic that it was. Crossing her arms, she let her eyes land on an episode of a detective show that she'd watched with Abi back in London. She knew that Aaron would reply, and now he was fired up. Feeling alive again.

Abi was right, Aaron Harding was good for her, in that way at least. He was the only person who made him look at herself, challenge herself, and the only one who called her on her bullshit.

Admittedly they probably give you better conversations than I could...but they are shit at cooking breakfast. You eating? Don't want to play into the critics' hands.

She sighed, then snapped a picture of the empty bowl from her chilli on the coffee table beside her.

Happy?

It was a little while until he answered. She'd sat up and disturbed the dogs by then.

Now there's a question. Happy you're not lonely, happy you've had some of that amazing chilli. But not happy that I'm 800 miles away. Miss your scowl, your sunny disposition.

Julia gasped at that, despite all that she did to push him away, after all she said and did...he still said that, was still open. He'd told her that he fancied the pants off her. She had filed that perfect memory away for a rainy day, because it made her feel special. No one had ever spoken to her like that, treated her like that. She was too scared, too anxious to let it go further, that would be a hard conversation, but it was one she had to have. He thought there was a chance, and she had to let him know that there wasn't.

She toyed with her phone for a long time, eventually she managed a reply.

Don't say things like that, Aaron. I'm just starting to tolerate you.

Again, she knew he'd laugh, but she couldn't sit waiting for a reply. The dogs were impatient, so the second she reached for their leads, they were skipping around excitedly. They oved going out. When they reached the nearest park, she let them loose, then photographed them both playing and sent it to Aaron.

He responded almost immediately with a heart emoji.

She was tucked up in bed much later when he messaged her again, wishing her a good night.

Aaron looked at the five people sat around the table. His enthusiasm for work was at an all time low, he had loved what he did, network programming, security, web programs, building contracts and contacts. He was good at what he did, but he'd been elevated through the company until now, and he sat at the top of the tree. Yet he was still needed all over the country, problem solving, troubleshooting...could no one do their job well anymore? Here he was dealing with what amounted to trivialities, he shouldn't be discussing contract issues, specific things, he should be there managing his teams, checking in with his directors. Instead, he was babysitting. And it was driving him insane, especially as babysitting was exactly what he wanted to be doing, just in another location. Home, looking after his dogs...and Julia.

He was becoming a sap, but he was finding it hard to get her out of his mind. He'd even got hard looking at the photo she'd sent him, innocent one of the dogs asleep on her legs, her bare legs, her sooth, enticing legs. He shook his head, it was happening again, his whole body was being sucked into memories of her, and a desire for more.

Slamming his fist on the table, an act that took everyone, including himself by surprise, he shook his head, "guys this is complete bullshit. I am not here to debate a two hundred and fifty k contact, you are all paid handsomely enough to make these decisions, so I'd suggest that we end this meeting. We can reconvene at one pm, I want all department directors present and the annual budget and projections beforehand. If anyone can't provide the information, then email me."

He stormed out of the room, knowing he left behind five stunned faces, but he wasn't doing this out of turn, he was a soft touch, that was why he let these situations happen, where he was making complex decisions for other staff. They were paid to make those choices and to face the consequences, when he got involved, the blame landed at his door, he was rarely wrong...he'd done the job for so long, but it meant that no one beneath him shone, showed his their worth. And that was the whole point. They had to do their own jobs.

He had an office put aside for him, but instead of going there, he headed out of the office block and into the sunshine. It was a lovely day in Chicago, the wind the city was known for was calm, so it was almost a little oppressive. Across the road from the hotel was a small bar, the windows slung open and music plying quietly. It was the sort of place that Julia would migrate towards, and he felt the same enthusiasm as her.

A woman cleaning a table near the door smiled at him as he entered, "Hi. Take any seat, can I get you a drink?"

He took a seat at the bar, a high stool, and she moved around it to face him. Smiling he asked for a beer, he rarely drank in a working day, but he needed just one. As the barmaid/waitress handed him a food menu, he snapped a picture of the beer bottle and sent it to Julia.

There were very few people in the bar, but then it was barely twelve o'clock, normally he'd have his laptop open, be working as he ate a sandwich through the side of his mouth. Instead, today, he had his beer, and glancing at the menu, he immediately fancied a chipotle chicken and avocado wrap, with fries, he needed fries.

Sitting back, he relaxed, tipped his head back to drink beer, then his phone bleeped.

A picture of an overstuffed pastrami hoagie filled the screen. It looked good. Which was his immediate response.  As usual, her reply was prompt and teasing.

Not as good as your beer...I'd be sacked. Saying that, we're going out for a few beers tonight, me and the work crew. #notlonely

He groaned at that, she was not one to take things lying down. A quick witty repost was needed, then a trip back home asap.

Taylor was morose, sat across the table in the loud bar, her chin resting in her upturned hands. Her eyes were on the other side of the room where Jerome was stood with some other work colleagues.

"So, he's still avoiding you?"

"He hasn't set eyes on me in over a week."

It was crazy to think that it was only ten days since the launch of the exhibition, which was the day after 'the kiss', but when he thought of her two colleagues, it was a long time to have not spoken about things. She couldn't criticise Jerome as she was even less likely to discuss her 'incidents' with Aaron. All she could do was sympathise.

"Maybe you should go over, pin him in the corner now that he's had a couple of drinks?"

She shook her head, "I'll look desperate."

Julia shrugged, "he's not speaking to you anyway, maybe then you'd know why he's like this."

Taylor snatched at her glass and guzzled the wine, shaking her head, "I can't. I just have to give up on this."

"You were good friends..."

Taylor held up her hand, "we had nothing in common until we started to hang out with you. We aren't or never were friends. He's like a West coast stoner, I'm a preppy Ivy Leaguer. We aren't the same on any level."

Julia laughed, "you love antiquities, history, learning, teaching...you have SO much in common, but then of course there are differences, that's what makes things work. Opposites attract."

She was still shaking her head, "I can't so this. I should leave..."

"Let's go some get some food, I mean at least if we sit somewhere a little quieter..."

"...there'll be a spotlight shining on me?"

Reaching out he placed a hand over Taylor's, "sorry mate, I wish there was something I could say..."

At that exact moment, Trevor, one of the guys who had helped set up the exhibition and who were happy to join them for beers at any opportunity, called over, "we've got a table at my cousin's restaurant, it's new...in East Village, you joining us?"

Julia snapped, "yes!" Before Taylor could comment or protest.

They hailed a few cabs and were at the grill house within fifteen minutes. The tables were long canteen style, and the men piled in, sitting opposite each other. Julia slid through them and nabbed the seat next to Jerome, patting the bench the opposite side of her. Rolling her eyes, Taylor stepped over the bench to reluctantly sit beside her. Fifteen of them ordering food and drinks caused a little chaos, which seemed to ease Taylor's anxieties a little.

Which meant that Julia could talk to Jerome. One of the other workmen leaned across the table and started to talk to Taylor, and from that second, Jerome's eyes and concentration were anywhere but on her.

"Do you want to swap seats? Sit by Taylor? You youngsters have far more in common that with old me."

Jerome's eyes flicked to her briefly, "you're not old."

Julia scoffed, "I am very. I wish I had a fraction of Taylor's enthusiasm, joie de vivre. She makes me feel like a hag."

Jerome considered that for a moment, his focus over Julia's shoulder on Taylor, she could hear peels of laughter, she was relaxed and possibly flirting...and that was causing Jerome to almost explode.

Then as if someone clicked their fingers, he snapped out of it, talking about work...mainly and ignoring Taylor.

After finishing her meal, Julia climbed off the bench, "sorry need the ladies' room."

As she moved away from the table, she knew that she left nothing but air between her two colleagues, surely they couldn't avoid each other now?

In the bathroom she checked her phone and was relieved to see a message from Abi, her and Luke were home. There was also one from Aaron.

So how is the town? Painted red?

She smiled, he always made her smile. If only it were that easy. Like, go get. But it wasn't.

Maybe a few patches of pink. Still feeling effects of a busy weekend. Only came out to be sociable. How's the Windy City?

She washed her hands for the second time, reluctant to return to the party. As if reading her mind, he replied quickly.

You are far more than sociable! Chicago = ok. Just boarding redeye. Be home in a few hours. Don't want to scare you by just turning up.

She gasped, he was coming back early. That made her heart race, with fear. She was desperately trying to convince herself of that, but she knew it was more than that. He made her feel alive, in so many ways. But that wasn't going to make her rush home...or slump on the sofa watching TV waiting for him to come home...honest.