I tried not to react. It didn’t bother me, but I worried it would upset her. Last time this had happened, it continued for the rest of the night until she’d practically run away in tears. I sipped my coffee nonchalantly.
Juliette looked down at the table, took a deep breath, and looked back up, thankfully with the same playful smile on her face. “Easy decision. Why wouldn’t I want to be with you? You’re the one taking a gamble here. So far it’s been fifty-fifty on me being alright and a total disaster.”
The words came out deliberate and even, with just the tiniest hint of a mumble that seemed to usually be there.
“You’re way more than alright, Juls. And I already declared this a do-over for dinner, and it’s going great. I think my odds of winning with you are damn good.”
Her smile grew even bigger, pride and relief radiating from her. The gentle sprinkling of freckles across Juliette’s cheeks and nose danced across her face as those honey brown eyes, sparkling with gold, crinkled at the corners. Gorgeous.
Yeah, she was a gamble I was happy to take.
“I’d love to stay here with you all day, but I should get back to work soon.”
“Of course! Sorry to keep you.”
“Don’t apologize. I’d rather be here. I have another couple of minutes if you want to finish.”
Juliette nodded and quickly downed her coffee. She took another piece of the banana bread then pushed it towards me, and I polished off the rest.
“I’m working the next few days. Can I call you?”
Juliette nodded.
“And when I’m off later in the week, can I see you again?”
She nodded again, a pretty pink flush washing over her face.
“Good. Are you finished?”
She nodded once again. I hated that she wasn’t more comfortable talking to me, but hopefully that would come with time. I cleaned up our garbage, then returned to take her hand in mine and walk her to her car, which was parked crookedly at the curb.
“I can’t wait to get to know you better, Juls. I don’t know when I’ll have time to call, but I promise you that I will, okay?”
“It’s fine. I know you’re working and you’re busy.”
“Sometimes I can get a callout that takes all night, or multiple calls back to back. Just know that if I don’t call, it’s because I can’t. I?—”
“Stop explaining. I get it.”
I hoped she did. It wasn’t easy being with a firefighter, but I hoped we could make it work.
I got back to the station just in time before we were called out for a structure fire. By the time I was back and had a minute to call Juliette, it was almost midnight. Damn. This was my second call to her and the second time I’d wake her up. I couldn’t not call, though. I’d warned her this could happen, and she said she understood, but I wished it didn’t happen the first day.
“Hello?” Her voice was soft and scratchy with sleep and so fucking sexy.
“Hi, Juls. Sorry I woke you.”
“It’s okay. Everything alright?”
“Yeah, we just got back from a fire, and everyone’s okay.”
“Good.”
“It was really good to see you today. I can’t wait to see you again.”
“Me too.” Her words were slurred, and I think it was due to sleepiness as much as her speech.
“Go back to sleep, Juls. Sweet dreams.”