Anthony had just arrived at work when he greeted Julia for their usual cup of coffee as Anthony was excited about their friendly dinner.

"Good morning Anthony." Julia said as Anthony could not help but smile at her.

"Good morning Julia." Anthony said as Julia blushed at him.

"How are you this mornin'?"

"Better than I have been in awhile. What about yourself?" Anthony asked her as she served him toast and coffee.

"I've been doin' fine too." Julia said as she walked to her desk as the ladies walked in.

"Mornin' ladies." Anthony said as they waved hello.

"Hi Anthony. Don't forget to go by and deliver that end table to Belle Marvinion."

"Of course. I'll see y'all later." Anthony said as they looked at Julia as she smiled all the while blushing.

"Julia?" Mary Jo asked as soon as Anthony was out the door.

"Yes Mary Jo?" Julia asked her as Charlene looked up to them, smiling at Julia.

"What's goin' on with you and Anthony lately?" Mary Jo asked her.

"Nothing. Why would y'all think something is going on?" Julia asked her.

"Seems like you have yourself an admirer my dear friend." Mary Jo said.

"Anthony could not possibly have a crush on me or any feelings for me in that matter." Julia said as she tried to bury herself in the invoices she had on her desk.

"Why not? He practically can't control himself around you." Charlene said as Julia stared at her.

"Why would Anthony want someone like me? He has other women who fawn themselves over him." Julia said to them as they looked at her.

"Don't you think the reason why Anthony can't have an actual relationship with a woman is because he likes you?" Mary Jo questioned.

"There is no way that Anthony could possibly like me other than I'm his boss and friend." Julia said as the ladies shook their heads.

"Julia?" Charlene questioned.

"Yes Charlene?"

"Do you have feelings for Anthony?" She asked as Julia sat down in her chair and pondered on the thought of him liking her.

"I love Anthony as a friend but anything more than that might make him feel uncomfortable. If Anthony really wanted to be with me, he'd show me the signs, wouldn't he?" Julia asked them.

"He already has. You're just not seeing the big picture." Charlene said as Julia stared out the window as she looked to see two birds perched on one of the trees branches.

"I think this has answered our question." Mary Jo said as Charlene smiled.

"Aren't y'all going out tonight?"

"Yes, but we're going to The Southern Plate."

"Sounds like a lovely evening to me." Charlene said as Julia blushed.

"It will be." Julia said.

"What are you gonna wear?" Mary Jo asked her.

"Nothing too fancy." Julia said as the women smiled.

"Lingerie is a great way to peak his interest, I mean if sex is on the menu tonight, then he'd be delighted."

"No, it's just a friendly date with an incredible man, that's it. I'm not ready for sex just right yet." Julia said.

"From what it's worth, I hope y'all have a great time and don't get too wild." Mary Jo laughed.

"We will have a wonderful time y'all." Julia said as the ladies rose up from their seats and gathered their things and headed to the door.

"Well, we're headed home for the weekend but do tell us the details Monday." Charlene said as Julia shook her head.

"I might."

"Okay, good evening and have a great time.'' Mary Jo said.

"I will darling." Julia said as she closed the door and went upstairs to shower and get ready.

...

It was now six-thirty and Anthony would arrive any moment but Julia had mixed emotions about this evening.

Soon, there was a knock on the door as she opened it to reveal Anthony, standing there with her favorite flowers, jonquils with roses and hydrangeas around them.

"Good evening madam." Anthony said as he smiled, admiring the blushful cheeks of his companion for tonight.

"Good evening yourself handsome. Are you ready?"

"Only if you are?" Julia asked.

"I am." Anthony said as he was nervous.

They walked out of her house and out his car where he opened the door for her as they were off to the restaurant.

"I hope you like your flowers?" He questioned as Julia blushed.

"Oh Anthony, they were really beautiful. It's been a long time since a man bought me flowers." She said as she stared out the window.

"Well, I think you're the rarest flower I've ever met." He said as she smiled.

"You're rare too darlin'."

"I just wanted you to know that we can take it easy, no rush. I really like you and I have for a long time." He said as she took the next step and laced her hand with his.

Anthony felt his body tingle a little when her hand laced with his as they arrived at the restaurant.

"I wanna take it slow with you too." Julia said.

"We'll take it as slow as you want to take it." He said as Julia wondered what it would be like to kiss him.

"Not yet, it's not the right time." The voice in her head told her, but her heart and gut told her but she just eased her wandering mind.

"Are you hungry?" He asked as she smiled at him.

"I'm starving." She said as she felt like a teenage girl again.

"Then, let's go eat." Anthony said as he went to open her door and she snaked her hand through his arm as they walked across the parking lot to the restaurant as the greeter brought them to their table.

...

They sat there with their drinks as he held her hand.

"So, what is a typical weekend like for you Mr. Bouvier?" She asked as Anthony smiled.

"I usually do housework and study for my bar tests."

"I always oblige when you want to study at my house."

"I like studying at your place because it's peaceful."

"I'm glad. I know you can't get any studying done in your apartment."

"You're telling me. It's always loud with my apartment being close to the laundry area and people are always blasting music or partying till early in the morning." He said as the waiter brought their food.

"What about you Ms. Sugarbaker?"

"Reading or catching up on something I started before the week begun."

"I guess we're a lot alike."

"Well, you're my partner and I'm not always strictly business."

"Being a business woman does wear and tear on a lady like me. I deserve to have a good time every once in awhile."

"That you certainly do."

"I enjoy your company Anthony. Sometimes, when everyone leaves and you stay to study, I feel safe and protected."

"I know what you mean, I hate being alone."

"I do too. I've had my fair share of being lonely." Julia said as she poked at her salad.

"I have too. After my divorce, I knew that I wanted something different."

"Well, after Allison and Carlene left, I was so happy to see Suzanne and Charlene back."

"I don't miss Allison." Anthony said.

"I know." Julia said.

"Do you think if we started dating, that we could make it?" Anthony asked her as she looked into his eyes.

"Yes." Julia said without hesitation.

"This is only our first date and I can already see that we'd be very happy together."

"I'd like for us to be more than just friends and partners." Julia said.

"I'd like that too."

"But we have two more dates to go."

"What about the art exhibit next weekend? I always love the facts of art coming from you." Anthony said as Julia smiled.

"I'd love to."

"Here's to hope and love." Anthony raised his glass as she raised her glass and clicked them together.

...

They arrived back at her house as he walked her to the door.

"Well Ms. Sugarbaker, I had a wonderful time this evening." Anthony said.

"I did too Mr. Bouvier." Julia said as she placed her key in the locked and clicked it open.

"You look beautiful and brighter than the Georgia stars up in the sky."

"That's a lie."

"No, it's not because it's true." Anthony said as he kissed her cheek.

"Well, thank you. It certainly was a lovely evening."

"That it was." Anthony said.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening and the beautiful flowers." Julia said as Anthony smiled.

"You're welcome." He said as Julia kissed his cheek.

"Good night Anthony." Julia said as Anthony kissed her cheek back.

"Good night Julia." Anthony said as he made sure Julia walked in her house safely and locked the door behind her.