by Rene Penn
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Several days had passed since Bryan stepped out of Kaitlyn’s car and watched a plane fly overhead—one he was supposed to be on with Jules. The suffocating feeling crushed his chest every time he replayed the moment. Standing in front of the airport entrance, he’d fished out his phone, thinking that he’d missed Jules’ call. But he didn’t. She hadn’t called at all. His heart sank into his boots. Emotions speared him like falling ice.
At least he didn’t have to deal with Kaitlyn’s emotions, too. She’d practically thrown him out of the car and drove off after he confessed his feelings for Jules. He sure could’ve used a ride back to the cabin.
Instead, he waited at the airport, sulking. He took the next flight going east, a Delta flight to Chicago, another terrible place to fly in the winter. But he had no choice.
Once he arrived, he regretted it. The weather turned quickly, grounding all outgoing flights. He spent the night near O’Hare International Airport, raking his hands through his hair, running through the day’s events. He concluded that it all happened for a reason.
Otherwise, the flight wouldn’t have been delayed, Kaitlyn wouldn’t have shown up, and Jules wouldn’t have left.
Yes, fate had stepped in and righted things when Bryan couldn’t.
He'd fallen for Jules when he shouldn't have. A woman who'd been his coworker, who he hadn't invited to Missoula, who'd unleashed a bizarre bit of mayhem on their household, earning two thumbs down from his parents.
So yes, maybe the events that happened that last day in Missoula had been for the best.
So how come he felt like shit now?
Bryan sat in his office at work, staring at the computer screen. The floor where he worked was quiet for a couple of reasons. Not everyone had returned from their holiday time-off. And the team’s morale had changed since word got around about Jules’ and Ted Hatcher’s layoffs. Not exactly a good time to pump everyone into overdrive. He needed the team’s help with extracting forty-thousand dollars from their clients. He needed to cover JSA’s holiday party tab, thanks to Jules.
Damn it, Jules.
All roads led back to her.
He saw her when he slept. While awake. And the in-between. He couldn't shake the thought of her. Her honey-brown hair and blue eyes. Her lemongrass and spring scent. Her delicious tongue in his mouth.
And though he’d learned the truth about why Kaitlyn stayed in Missoula years ago, his mind conjured up the same familiar dread and anger. Jules had left him when he least expected it, just like Kaitlyn had. When he was ready to go to the next level, the woman he cared about had walked away.
Despair chipped away at him as the cursor blinked on the computer screen.
And then Ernie Duchall appeared in his doorway. Bad timing.
If looks could kill, they’d both be dead.
Ernie closed the office door before taking two long strides to the front of Bryan’s desk. “DC is a small place.”
Not in the mood to decipher code, Bryan asked, “Meaning?”
“I got an interesting email from a friend of mine, Patrick Montgomery.”
Why did that name sound familiar?
Ernie continued, “He asked if JSA had an opening for a marketing coordinator. A friend of his had a friend who knew somebody that was looking. The three names were Jacob Lancaster…”
Bryan swallowed.
“Bryan Blakely…”
Bryan’s ribs tightened.
“And Julia Carmichael.”
Bryan could hardly exhale.
“I’m sure you can imagine my confusion around this. After what that girl has done—”
“She’s not a girl,” Bryan corrected. She was a woman. With womanly curves and lips and long hair and kisses…
“I should’ve gotten rid of her sooner.”
“Ernie, she wasn’t that bad.”
“She hardly got any real work done when she was here. And then she coordinated a Playboy-style holiday party for JSA, with a bill to match.”
“That’s a bit extreme,” Bryan quipped. Forty-thousand dollars would be nothing for Playboy. And their equal-opportunity Santa probably would’ve been naked instead of just bare-chested.
Ernie ignored Bryan’s interjections. “I couldn’t believe that you were doing the favor of calling around on Jules’ behalf, soliciting employment for her. So…” He rested a hand on the back of a chair. “I came to find out for myself.” He arched a brow at Bryan, awaiting his response.
Bryan peered across his desk at Ernie, his boss, his mentor, the guy who’d showed him the ropes at JSA, who’d groomed him and promoted him.
“You heard right,” Bryan said.
Ernie stepped back, his long nose pointing in disgust.
Bryan said, “What you did was wrong. And I didn’t speak up. I should have.” He shook his head, his lips curling into a snarl. “I shouldn’t have listened to you. I shouldn’t have fired Jules during the holidays. I shouldn’t have fired her at all. If anything, I should’ve been a better manager. I gave her threes on her performance evaluations, but I didn’t give her the tools she needed to get better.”
Ernie cut in, “She has a responsibility, too, as an employee.”
“I could’ve sent her for training. I could’ve gotten her a mentor. I could’ve spent more time with her. But I didn’t. And when you told me to let her go, I didn’t think about her,” he said shamefully. “I worried about myself, and what you’d think of me if I didn’t fulfill your request. I did what you asked, but it was a mistake. One that I’ll never make again. So yes, what you heard from your friend Patrick Montgomery was right. And I’ll continue to make calls on Jules’ behalf until she finds a new job.”
Ernie growled through a tight jaw. “I am not the least bit amused by this.”
“And don’t worry about the forty-thousand dollars. I’ll get it for you. If that was a tactic to scare me, I’m not going anywhere. I like this job, and I like my team, which means you’ll continue to be my boss.” He delivered the last nail in the coffin before his mouth went dry. “However, I’ll be looking for a mentor elsewhere.”
Ernie rocked back in his shoes, his long torso growing a foot. “Fine. And I’ll be looking for another manager for my niece.” He threw open the door and left.
“Good talk.” Bryan smiled at the empty doorway, relishing the taste of sweet and savory vindication.
Eighteen
It seemed like Bryan blinked twice, and New Year's Eve arrived. He and his buddy, Jacob, stood in a CVS across from the Old Town Alexandria Courthouse.
Jacob’s wool coat was open, revealing a suit underneath. The Red Bull in his hand didn’t match the GQ vibe he had, and Bryan could practically smell the anxiety coming from Jacob’s pores.
Bryan perked a brow at their meetup location, the cold beverage section of a drug store. “You’re going to propose to your girlfriend. Why are we here?”
“I didn’t want her to see you and blow my cover. And I needed another one of these.” Jacob chugged back the energy drink and roughly wiped his mouth.
“Uh, did you pay for that?”
“Not yet. Remind me before we leave.” Jacob dragged his fingers through his hair.
“How many you’ve had?”
“Today? Or since I got in the store?”
Bryan chuckled. “Never mind.” He put a hand on Jacob’s shoulder, trying to steady Jacob’s gaze. It had been darting all over the place since they met up. “You okay? Ready to do this?”
“I am not okay, but I’m beyond ready to do this.”
“Still have hot feet?”
"They're on freakin' fire." Jacob took a hefty swig of Red Bull, like a drunk guy downing whiskey.
Bryan took the can from him. “I’m cutting you off. You’re wired enough. You’ve got to relax and get focused.”
“Right.” Jacob smoothed a hand over his coat. “Right.” He blew air out of his mouth for so long, Bryan worried if Jacob had left any oxygen in his system.
“I don’t get it. Why are you so nervous? You know she’s going to say yes.”
“I won’t know she’s going to say yes until she does.”
“Has she given any reason for you to think she’ll turn you down? Have you guys been fighting?”
“Yeah. Now and again. Like everybody, I guess.”
Bryan smirked. “And then you make up.”
That got a smile out of Jacob. “Yeah, which makes up for any fight.” They laughed at that. Jacob exhaled again, fingered his hair again. “How do I look?”
He turned a full circle, slowly, in front of Bryan. A couple paused while opening the cold case for soda, looking at the two friends with confusion and amusement.
Bryan said, “You’re all good from here down.” He held a hand over the bridge of his nose. “Your eyes are bouncing like marbles. If it were daytime, I’d tell you to put on sunglasses.”
“I’m nervous.”
“Yep, we’ve established that.” Bryan glanced at his watch. “We’ve got to go. Nora’s probably wondering what’s taking you so long, and the fireworks are about to start.”
He walked toward the cash register and paid for Jacob’s drink at the self-checkout. When they left the store, he tossed the can in the nearest trash bin.
Jacob said, “You brought your camera, right?”
“Yes. You brought the ring?”
Jacob stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, his eyes widening.
“Shit,” said Bryan.
“Just kidding.” Jacob cackled and continued walking. “Just wanted you to know that I haven’t completely lost it.”
“Bad joke.” Bryan took a moment to let his heart rate putter back to life. “I’ll be standing by the trees over there, out of sight.” He pointed. "Relax, okay? It’s going to go great. I know it.”
They paced down the sidewalk, mixed in with the stream of people heading toward the waterfront.
“Before I forget, I might have a job lead for your friend, Jules.”
"Yeah? I appreciate that. We can talk about in a few days after all this is over."
“How are things going with her?”
“I think they stopped going.” Bryan filled Jacob in on the airport debacle.
“Ouch. Have you called her?”
A million times in Bryan's mind. "Twice. No answer. No callback."
Jacob stopped on the sidewalk, his gaze steadier than it had been since Bryan had seen him. "If you like her, keep trying. Don't give up. Get to the bottom of what happened."
“It’s pretty obvious what happened. She left me. At the airport.”
“And you left her at security to talk to your ex. How do you think she feels about that? Listen, take it from me. Communication is important. Eight times out of ten, you're both wrong about what the other might be thinking. The only way you'll know is if you clear the air." Jacob glanced past him across the street. "There she is."
Was it Jules? Bryan turned to see. It was Nora, of course, perched at the top step by the courthouse, her slender frame cloaked in a sleek, wool coat. As if pulled by an invisible string, Jacob crossed the street, his head fixed in her direction. When she saw him, her smile widened. She looked beautiful standing there, and their embrace made Bryan twinge with envy.
Bryan took his position near the trees and a bench farther back, keeping the couple in view. The fireworks began moments later. Sparkles of green, red, purple, and gold soared through the air. Children cheered the display. Cars on King Street crept to a stop. Nora leaned into Jacob’s body. He kissed her on the forehead. Their fingers intertwined. Bryan snapped pictures of it. Envy twinged within him again.
Something else prickled beneath, too. Anger. Frustration.
It would've been nice to be with Jules right now, holding her hand, watching the fireworks, kissing her forehead. She'd totally help him stake out this proposal moment, which was happening right now. Jacob dropped to his knee, and Bryan moved closer, clicking his camera as he walked, capturing every moment for his friend and future bride. She threw her hands around Jacob’s neck.
He still had the ring in his hand. Bryan got close enough to hear.
Jacob had wrapped an arm around Nora, who pecked him with endearing kisses.
“Don’t you want to see the ring?” Jacob asked her between laughs.
“I knew she’d say yes,” Bryan whispered to himself, smiling.
He took more pictures, candid shots of their excitement, of Jacob admitting how nervous he was, of Nora teasing him about it. A few people had gathered around to see the romantic moment unfold. One woman told Bryan to take pictures of the couple sitting down together, another of them kissing.
Bryan wondered what Jules was doing right now.
When picture time was over, Nora and Jacob thanked him. Bryan congratulated them both and went on his way. He checked his phone, where Happy New Year’s notifications buzzed and dinged. He dialed his brother back first.
“Bro,” Ryan said. “Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year. How’s it going?”
“Everybody's good. I’m hanging out at the cabin. They’ve got a bunch of people over.”
Nostalgia hit Bryan. “Wish I could’ve taken more time off work to be there.”
“How’s Jules? You heard from her yet?”
"No. She won't return my calls. But, let’s say I’m feeling inclined to try again.”
Ryan chuckled. "The new year will do that to you. Hang on. Mom wants to talk to you."
Movement muffled the phone, and his mom gave New Year’s wishes. “Jules sent another package of meat and cheese and other tasty goodies.”
Bryan’s heart thumped harder. “That was nice of her.”
“She figured we’d be hosting for new year’s, at least that’s what the card said. It was a nice card. Have you talked to her since you left Montana?”
“No.” Bryan stepped onto a side street out of the chatter of passers-by. He hadn’t told Kathy about what happened at the airport. “I didn’t think you’d care. I got the impression you didn’t like her.”
“Oh, when’s the last time you’ve known me not to like somebody?”
“You know what I mean, Mom.”
“I’d love to see you with someone like Princess Kate from the Royal Family, but she’s taken at the moment.” Kathy laughed. “Jules is a sweet girl, though. Her heart’s in the right place. She means well. I almost melted when I found out how she got the turkey.”
Bryan gripped the phone harder. “How’d she get it?”
“She and Ryan went to a food bank that was open for Thanksgiving. She paid a hundred dollars for the turkey and then gave twenty dollars to every family there. Ryan said there were six. The folks who worked there assured her that they had plenty of turkeys to go around, but Jules gave them money anyway.”
With her recent layoff, parting with that kind of money must not have been easy. “She did all that to make up for what happened with our turkey?” Bryan muttered.
“Sure did, and I had no idea.” Kathy sighed. “I owe her an apology. I had a chat with Helena. She and Dave were the ones smoking marijuana, of all people. Not Jules.”
Did he hear right? “Helena and Dave?”
Kathy’s laugh crackled through the phone. “Yep. Jules caught them in the act, and they swore her to secrecy. They were worried that Paul and I would be upset, I guess. We are a little put out by it, but we’ll manage,” she said with a shred of annoyance. “Anyway, Jules kept her word with them, and there’s something to be said for that. Listen, if you speak to her, please tell her that I’m sorry.”
“I will.”
“Helena also told me Jules likes you, and she was trying to do her best to impress me. Some of that backfired, obviously. But it’s nice to know that she tried.” She added with a lightness, “Don’t you think?”
Shock made Bryan's throat dry. He swallowed. "Yeah, I think so. I'm, uh, surprised to hear you say that." It seemed like his mom cared, and that meant a lot to
him.
“I can see why you thought that.” A tone of softness hit his mother’s voice. “Tell her we all said hi, okay.”
Translation: call her.
Other translation: they like her.
With that hurdle cleared, now he wanted to get in touch with Jules. He needed to see her, to kiss her, to tell her how he felt.
Kathy said, “Hang on. Ryan wants to speak to you again.”
The phone was passed over, and Ryan said, “I overheard that. Good stuff.”
“Yeah.” Bryan smiled.
Ryan whispered. “But you shouldn’t let anyone get in the way between you and your lady. Not mom. Not me,” he said with finality.
Message received.
“Happy New Year, bro.”
“Happy New Year, Ry.”
With that settled, Bryan needed to find Jules because his new year wouldn't be right without her by his side.
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Jules bit back a yawn as she watched Kerri’s on-stage debut for the sitcom play Murdering the Neighbor. She didn't want Kerri to notice her yawn from afar and misinterpret the expression as a sign of boredom. The hilarious plot and slapstick interactions kept everyone laughing. Jules wasn't bored with the play at all, merely jetlagged.
But that aside, who thought it a good idea to have a play continue after midnight on New Year's Eve? Part one of the play began at eleven o'clock. During intermission, everyone went outside to enjoy the Old Town Alexandria fireworks. And part two continued as soon as the fireworks ended. Jules would've been more excited about the format if her body clock operated on a regular schedule.
Kerri gestured from one end of the stage to the other, her British accent not quite as sharp as it had been earlier in the play. Perhaps Jules wasn’t the only tired one.
Kerri exclaimed, “I could bloody well tell you all that the murderer was Colonel Mustard with the candlestick in the conservatory. But damn it,” she said emphatically, “it was me.”
And then, the house lights dimmed low, signaling the end of the play. Not only had Kerri delivered the last line, but she was also the murderer! Brilliant. No, triple-brilliant.