He steps out from behind his desk and crosses to me, and I’m suddenly crushed to his chest in a big hug. He smells fantastic; all fabric softener and coffee and Nate.
He reaches behind me and locks the door quietly and I pull back to look into his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just missed you this morning.”
“I’ve been right down the hall.” I chuckle and kiss his chin.
“I know, it’s not the same. Mondays suck, for more reasons than one.”
I know exactly what he means. We’ve just had the whole weekend together, all day, and now we’re back where we have to pretend.
“Hey, before I forget, I made plans with Natalie for after work. We’re getting pedicures. So I won’t be at your place when you get home.”
“Okay. Are you coming over when you’re done?” he asks.
“I think I’ll just go home, Nate. I have a mountain of laundry to do, and I’ve barely been there over the past few weeks. One night apart won’t kill us, you know.”
He frowns and runs his fingertips down my face. “I’ll go to your place tonight.”
“You don’t have…”
“I don’t want to sleep without you, Julianne.”
Oh. Okay.
“Okay, I’ll meet you at my place then. I need to make you a key.”
“No need,” he smirks down at me. “I’ll talk you into moving into the condo with me soon enough.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you ace?”
“Yeah, pretty sure,” he whispers and kisses me softly.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure too.
***
“Oh, this feels so good.”
Natalie and I are at our favorite nail spa near Alki Beach. We’ve been coming here for years. I have Olivia on my chest, snoozing away, my feet in hot water, and my best friend to my right.
Life is damn good.
“We need to get back on our pedicure schedule,” Natalie remarks and sighs as she dips her feet in the hot, fragrant water.
“Definitely.” I kiss Olivia’s head and pat her little diaper-covered bottom. “She’s so sweet, Nat.”
“I know,” Natalie smiles at us. “Here, give me your phone, I’m going to take a picture.”
“Oh, good!” I hand her my phone and smile as she takes our photo and then hands the phone back to me. “Oh, look at us, Livie. We’re beautiful.” Without hesitation I send the photo via text to Nate.
“Can we paint her toes, too?” I ask Natalie and she giggles.
“Sure. Let’s do pink.”
The nail tech finds the tiniest brush she has that she uses to hand-paint designs on nails, and paints each of Olivia’s tiny toes baby pink. She sleeps right through it.
“Adorable.”
My phone pings and I check the text from Nate. Gorgeous girls. Kiss her for me.
I sigh and show it to Natalie.
“He’s very sweet. I’m surprised.”
“I know. He can be rough around the edges, with his motorcycle, and the fighting, and the tattoos. I had no idea. But at work he’s exactly the opposite, all professional and rich business man.” I kiss Olivia’s head and breathe in her baby smell. “And this weekend he was incredibly romantic and sweet.”
“So, someone’s in love.” Natalie grins at me.
“Yeah, I won’t deny it.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
“But it’s so complicated, Nat.” She frowns and tilts her head and I continue. “We can’t tell anyone at work. Ever. We’d both lose our jobs. It’s not easy to pretend.”
“Don’t pretend, just be you. You’ve always gotten along well with him at work, just keep doing that.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who wants to lick him every time you see him.”
“Well, no, Luke might have issues with that.” We laugh, and then she’s serious again. “Just be who you are, Jules. Enjoy him. The rest will work its way out.”
“I hope you’re right.” My phone pings again and I check the text message.
Hey baby, I’ll be late tonight. Unexpected teleconference.
I frown but then shrug. Okay. Still coming over when you’re done?
I’ll be there.
Okay, see you later. xo
“Nate’s working late,” I murmur and stow my phone back in my handbag. “Are we on for Friday movie night?” I ask, changing the subject.
“We are. Luke’s mom, Lucy is going to watch the baby at our place. I’m a bit nervous to leave her for the first time, but she’ll be in good hands.”
“I’m so excited. A night out is exactly what we all need. Let’s go to that newer bar by the theatre that has a live band on Fridays. We can dance, and the guys can shoot pool.” Olivia starts to squirm, and I give her her pacifier.
“That sounds good to me. I’m warning you, though, I’ll be texting Lucy all night for updates.”
“I don’t mind.” I grin at her over Olivia’s soft head. “I’m just thrilled that you’re no longer pregnant and we can have a margarita.”
“Or three,” she smirks.
“You know, Nate’s birthday is only a couple months away.” I pat the sleeping Olivia’s back as an idea forms in my head. “Since he’s working late tonight, why don’t you and I spend some time in the studio after we leave here?”
“Oh, that would be fantastic! I’m itching to get back to the studio.”
“Then it’s a plan.” We grin at each other and sigh as the technicians begin to rub our calves and feet.
***
“I forgot how fun this is with you,” Natalie murmurs and presses the shutter aimed at me. Luke met us at the house to pick up Olivia, so it’s just Nat and I, like the good ol’ days, playing around with pretty lingerie, makeup and her camera.
Sexy dance music is pumping through the speakers of the sound system, and I can’t help but move my body with it.
“You’re so good at this, Nat. I’m so proud of you.”