Page 97 of Fever Dream
I wasn’t going to do this. I wasn’t. But then I thought about Julia walking into her first real date in over two years, all just to keep Dick Wad off our asses, and I was riled. Parker pulls up the stool beside me, shaking her head. “My god, you’re acting fucking weird. Are we about to take part in some black-market exchange or something? Is a man in a suit going to drop a briefcase at your feet?”
“No, we’re just going to have a few drinks and chat.”
Parker and I order beers and fall into an easy conversation like we always do. With her, there’s no pretense. She sees through my bullshit—I knew she would—but there’s no judgment from her. She figured me out almost instantly, but she doesn’t interrogate me.
One beer turns into two, and our conversation grows more animated and more personal. I share updates on the show, and Parker laments her professor and what a grumbly asshole he is.And before I know it, I take what has to be my fiftieth glance toward the door.
And finally, I lay eyes on Julia. Relief hits me in a rush.
Parker shifts on her stool, scanning the restaurant to follow my gaze. “Oh.”
“Oh, what?” I respond, turning back and hunkering down with my elbows on the bar. Trying and failing to act casual.
“I get it now.”
“You get what?” I say, still playing stupid from under the brim of my cap.
“You’re here spying on the girl you’re in love with.”
“I’m not in love with her. I’m… we’re…”
I sigh and drop my head between my arms in frustration because I don’t know what I am with Julia. Obsessed maybe. I like her. I like her company. I like her sense of humor. I like the way she carries herself at work—she’s such a fucking badass.
I justlike.
“Emmett, you are down so bad for this girl. I think you don’t know what that feels like, but, babe, this is it.”
“I’m just looking out for her.” I reply because that part’s not a lie. Iamlooking out for her.
“Right. But a simpletext me when you get home safewould suffice. Does she even know you’re here?”
I lift my head and roll my neck to cover for taking a quick peek over my shoulder toward the hostess stand. Julia has her hair poker-straight, which somehow satisfies me. At least this loser doesn’t get to see her in full force because that natural hair makes me fucking weak in the knees.
Aside from that, she’s wearing a blouse that she’s buttoned to the base of her throat, paired with bell-bottom jeans and high heels. I thank my lucky stars that it’s not that fucking denim dress. She’s far more covered up than the weather calls for, but I understand why she’s chosen this outfit.
She doesn’t know what kind of guy this dude is, and a blind date is even worse that way. Julia has been through enough, and I know how daunting this must be for her.
Dominic? Give me a more suspicious name.
That baby-blue polo shirt? This isn’t a round of golf, pal.
The Cactus Club? Generic as fuck. Just like him.
God, the itch to reach for my phone and tell Riley she’s taken her bad taste in men too far with this one is strong. My stomach churns. Probably because Julia being here is my fault. Guilt leaves me queasy for pushing her into it, but I feel the need to keep watching as they’re led toward a small high-top in the lounge.
“If you were going for incognito with the hat and the surprise attack, the way you’re staring is giving you away.” Parker sips her beer with a satisfied smirk on her lips.
I scoff and resort to casting furtive glances over my shoulder just to make sure that Julia looks comfortable. Because the minute her date takes a turn, I’m going to be on Dominic’s ass like white on rice.
I drop my head, pressing my palms to either side of the chilled pint glass, hoping to appear discreet even as I spiral over what to do next.
“Well, this was short-lived,” Parker chuckles, popping me in the ribs with her elbow.
And then I feel it. Someone standing next to me.
Julia.
She reaches forward, lifting the brim of my hat, and Parker full-on laughs.
