Chapter Twenty Six

This rooftop bar was the greatest, and Abi, more than a little bit drunk, leaned in to tell her that, as they waited for the men to return from the bar. The view of the city lights was amazing, the company – well Abi, the best...and the boys were providing seemingly unlimited alcohol and food. They'd eaten wings, dips, and a huge steak each, all punctuated with glasses of wine for the girls, beer for the boys. Afternoon was becoming night, and Julia realised her friend was exhausted. Jetlag, travel and excessive living was catching up with her.

When Luke and Aaron came back to the table, Abi was leaning against Julia, a smile on her face, but fatigue very evident.

"Do you want to go?" Aaron looked at the drinks they'd just bought.

Julia shrugged, "she's had a long day." Then stroking her hair affectionately, she added, "we can go after these?"

Luke sighed, "I'd say I'm disappointed, but you're right...it's been a long day."

Aaron laughed, "suppose it is about two am back home."

Forty minutes later, the taxi pulled up to the apartment block, and they all got out. Luke helped Abi, then turned to Aaron, "It's only ten, why don't you two head out? We'll be ok. Hopefully we'll be brighter tomorrow."

As Aaron was about to answer, Julia shook her head, "no, it's fine. We'll can turn in to."

She wanted nothing more than to disappear and lick her wounds, it was still early, and she had no idea if that would happen. But he thought of going out, just her and Aaron, it scared her.

"Oh, Jules. Don't stay in out my account. It's Friday night, go have fun. Don't make me feel guilty. I will be raring to go and full on it tomorrow."

She didn't want to go, but refusing would look awkward, and she wasn't about to make a scene, even if Aaron was across from her smirking.

"An hour, in that bar I like. That's it."

He lifted an eyebrow and laughed, "the basement bar?"

When she nodded he laughed, it was loud in there, that would mean there would be little conversation, safe for her. He gave a nonchalant shrug, then led everyone up to the apartment.

Once the others were settled for the night, Aaron led her out into the dark. Julia though she'd need to be defensive, that he'd be trying to talk, to iron out whatever he thought was going on, instead he smiled and walked beside her in silence as they crossed two blocks to her favourite local bar.

There was no charge to get in, but there were security at the door, it got busy on the weekends, and they had more recently been a part of the night. The two surly men smiled at them both as they approached, commented on the warmth of the night, then opened the door that led to the basement.

They'd shared a few drinks in Manhattan with Abi and Luke, but not enough that she felt like he was on the edge of feeling drunk.

"What do you want?" he asked, heading to the bar.

"Could murder a Cosmo."

He lifted an eyebrow, then gave her that devastating smile, before turning to the bar. When he joined her, he had her drink, pink and cold in a martini glass, he had a tumbler with something whisky coloured over ice.

As she lifted the drink to her lips, he offered his glass for a clink and a 'cheers'. Rolling her eyes, she obliged then sipped at her drink, all the time watching him, waiting. Coiled like a spring.

But he merely stretched out in the seat he'd taken, and half smiled, more unnerving than anything else.

"What?" She finally snapped.

He merely laughed, "I'm not doing anything."

She felt the scowl take over her face and he laughed harder, which infuriated her.

"Dance?"

It was Indie rock night according to the posters plastered around the room, and she recognised the Muse song that played. The dance floor was full, even though it wasn't the easiest song to dance to.

"Can hardly dance with a Cosmo."

He tightened his lips as he nodded, "fair point. Drink up."

Julia knew she was staring at him, but she was struggling to read him, instead of protesting, she watched him drain his drink, then offer her a hand. Without thought she emptied her glass, then skid her fingers over his and let him lead her into the throng of people.

He moved to the music, his eyes never leaving hers, and she danced back. It was almost a competition, they swayed and twisted, but despite it all, Aaron's eyes, kept on her. He wasn't wearing his glasses, and it surprised her every time. He was a bespectacled geeky, suit wearing boffin, not a sexy, dancing man, who was attracting the attention of every woman in the room, or so it seemed from the smiles and stares.

Suddenly she was more than a little jealous of that and she stepped up to him, closer, thought not touching, she wasn't ready for that. She wasn't sure she ever could.

Muse gave way to Arctic Monkeys, and for once she felt like she DID look good on the dancefloor. She could do his, she could be happy, she could dance...she could be the one he looked at all night without feeling fear. It was easy for him.

So, she let go, in as much as she danced, she loved music, loved dancing and didn't do it as often as she liked. This was her thing, the playlist was perfect, the Killers, Kasabian, music she had on her iPod, so she just danced. Avoiding Aaron's eyes as much as she could.

Unfortunately, as the place got busier, they were pushed closer together. By the time they were touching, Julia was struggling to stay calm.

"You want a drink?" She shouted over the music as she backed away from her. Her merely studied her for a long moment, until she turned away from him, then she could feel him following her through the crowd.

She was at the bar before him and when he pulled up beside her, she handed him a bottle of beer. With a nod, he sipped at it, al the time his eyes on her.

"Will you stop staring at me?"

He laughed, "I'm not allowed to talk to you, touch you...now I can't look at you? Is that what you're saying?"

When he laid it out like that, she sounded petty and childish, and that was the last thing she wanted. So she shrugged instead and tipped her head back to drink more of the beer in her hand.

"We've got an early start tomorrow. I've booked us on a nine am bus tour."

Aaron smiled, that killer smile, he was in full charm mode tonight and she was starting to feel helpless, "all of us?" When she nodded, he sighed, "I'm actually looking forward to that, even though I've lived here for years. Be interesting to see what changes I've missed."

She couldn't form a quip to reply to that, so she took another drink.

Aaron knew he was being hard on Julia, but then the fact that his presence could make her feel so awkward spoke volumes. He wasn't trying to make her feel uneasy, but he wanted her to realise that there was something between them, that he wanted to explore, and he knew that she felt the same way. He was just surprised at her determination and resistance.

"You ok?"

She was suddenly quiet beside him, and when she looked up at him, her eyes looked watery and she seemed chock-a-block full of emotions. "Don't know. Just finding this very stressful."

He leaned in closer as it was noisy, "I don't want that. I just can't pretend that there isn't something between us. I don't want to hurt you, but I can't let you just throw this away."

Her eyes were wide, and he added, "you seem happy to think about a quick screw, but that's not what I want, even if we weren't housemates. I know that you don't want commitment, I can guess that much. I mean I don't do this, that's why I can't let you shrug this off."

She took a deep breath and he couldn't miss how her chest rose with that, "I don't do repeats, I don't do relationships, but I sometimes do one offs. That's how I roll, and as you say, living together...a one off would cause tension maybe...so that's it."

He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, "I think that you're wrong. Sometimes what we think and what we do aren't the same, and if that's a rule...then they're made to be broken." He smiled as she wriggled nervously, "see, me being close...it affects you, you can't deny that. I'll be kind on you, I'll go easy until our guests leave, but after that...I'm going after you, relentlessly, because I've had a taste of what's between us, and I want more, a lot more."

Three pm the following day Julia and Abi entered a small but popular wedding boutique. Manhattan local Taylor had told her it was a hidden gem, a great shop, so she'd booked an appointment for them to visit. They'd had a busy morning, after walking home in silence the previous evening, admittedly a comfortable one, she'd insisted on taking the sofa. Aaron had tried to protest, so she grabbed the duvet and stretched out on the cushions before he cold do anything. Poking her tongue out, she closed her eyes, then promptly fell asleep.

They'd grabbed breakfast at a nearby diner, sat at the counter eating eggs and slurping on good coffee, then they'd rushed across to Times Square for their bus trip. On the open top deck, then basked in the sun as scenes from a million movies flashed by, accompanied by the narrative of a native New Yoiker who seemed to know everything there was to know about the city.

They laughed, they chatted, and for most of the morning, she had managed to forget all that had happened the previous day and weeks before that. Aaron was great company, and far too generous, buying them all lunch at his favourite sandwich shop.

Now the boys were heading to the oldest bar in the city for a drink, and apparently some card games. Aaron informed them before they split that there was a group who met in various bars across the city to play games. Luke rubbed his hands at that, and they had disappeared with a spring in their step.

The boutique was all that Julia imagined it should be. Two antique armchairs sat at one end, and a curtained changing booth between them. At the far end of the room was a full-length mirror, and both walls either side of the room were filled with racks of hundreds of dresses.

Abi's eyes were wide with terror, but then a middle aged woman, a motherly figure who introduced herself as Patricia appeared and shook their hands.

"Welcome to Patty's Bridal Shop. Is this your first trip to try on a dress?"

She was looking at Julia, but she laughed and stepped back, "not me, but this beautiful girl."

Abi stepped forward with a grimacing grin on her face, "that's me. I get married in eight months. A January wedding...so I was hoping for something wintry."

Patricia's face lit up, "are you going for modern, traditional, funky?"

"No one's asked me that before. I want to look simple, yet elegant. That's all."

The older woman smiled, "we can do that. What I suggest is that we look at a few dresses, see what styles you like...then just try a lot on. Sometimes the dress that you don't think will fit you will look amazing, and vice versa."

Abi seemed to instantly relax as she nodded, "that sounds...smooth."

Patricia placed an arm around her shoulder, leading her to the back of the shop, "this should be the greatest thing, picking such a monumental outfit. But people over complicate it. You like...we hang them here..." She pointed to a spare rack, then we look through them. You try, I find. Ok?"

Julia was relaxed, slumped in one of the chairs, watching her friend emerge in numerous dresses. One of the assistants had brought out some sparkling wine, and she'd had a glass or two as she observed all that was happening. Some dresses were pretty, some puffy, and whilst they all looked amazing, Abi was so beautiful, but none was right.

Patricia stood, her fingers on her lips as she pondered.

"You're Titian in colouring, all that red hair and alabaster skin, but then you have amazing curves...I think you need something a bit more Grecian. Let me show you."

Ten minutes later, Abi appeared in the perfect dress. The bodice was a crossover of layers of gauzy off-white material, it was tight showing her curves and the neckline but right down to the high waistline, a gold braid acting a belt, before a straight, yet layered and pleated skirt that fell to the floor. That was beautiful, showing off her curves with a subtly that made it extremely elegant. But the special treat was the thin long sleeved and hooded cape that settled over it, fur lined cuffs and hood, it matched the dress, looked part of it.

She looked magical.

Julia tried to speak, but her bottom lip quivered. Abi's eyes widened, "that bad?"

Both Patricia and Julia gushed at the exact same moment, and Julia could barely speak the words, "babe, you look...devastating. It's...words fail me. Look." She turned her physically, and watched Abi's reflection as she took in the dress.

"It's..." She didn't finish the sentence, her eyes staring in wonder.

Julia nodded as tears rolled down her face, "it's everything you should have, it's made for you. It's perfect."

Abi bit her lip, then nodded, "it is."

Half an hour later, they left the shop, the dress on order. It my need last minute alterations, but Patricia knew some dressmakers in London and she recommended one. They would either ship the dress to her, or Julia would collect it and bring it home with her, they had plenty of time. And now, they had he rest of the weekend to celebrate.

"That bar looks like it might make THE best celebratory cocktails."

Abi looked up at her, "I think you're right."

Sat in the window, watching the hustle and bustle of Midtown, they ordered Margaritas, then Julia sent at text to Aaron.

All done, we're celebrating in the White Rhino, they do great snacks. You going to join us?

Their drinks arrived at the same moment as his reply text.

We're about ten minutes away. See you in a moment.

She sat back in her chair, they ticked more items on her list that she expected, but that wasn't a bad thing. Tonight they were dining, then going to the theatre, Abi and Luke had picked their favourite Broadway show. That was good. Conversation wasn't necessary, and she could avoid Aaron. She needed that more than ever.