Page 32 of We're Just Friends
I glanced up in the rearview mirror and saw her stretching her hands apart. “Maybe you can get the same kind of sundae at the ice cream shop we’re going to."
“That would be so cool,” she exclaimed.
Her excitement made her mother relax a bit and smile. I wanted to reach out and caress her hand at that very moment, but I didn’t dare because of Caley.
We sat down at the ice cream shop by the window. It was crowded for a Sunday evening, and we recognized many families from the community movie night.
“You know,” Julianna said to Caley. “Jake and I used to come here a lot back when we were in high school.”
Caley dug her plastic spoon into her ice cream, which was covered in cookie crumbs and gummy worms, and said, “No wonder. This is so fun!”
After we finished eating, I drove them back to Julianna’s car and followed them home. Then I waited for Julianna in the living room. She was concerned about Caley falling asleep after having so much sugar.
“She’s in bed reading one of her favorite books,” Julianna said, walking downstairs. “Thank you for such a wonderful day.”
When she gestured toward the couch, we sat down together. I put my arm around Julianna’s shoulders, and she rested her head on mine. The moment felt so perfect and normal. The last thing I wanted to do was leave.
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.” I kissed her on her forehead, and she let out a moan. “And while I don’t want to leave, if I don’t go soon, something tells me that we won’t be getting any sleep tonight.”
She sat up and let out a giggle.
“It’s not my fault you’re so sexy,” she said.
The way the moonlight filled her living room and struck her hair, I wanted nothing more than to take her right there on the couch. But I had quickly come to realize that dating Julianna meant being mindful of Caley, and it meant an enormous amount of restraint was needed — and patience.
We walked to the front door, once again holding hands.
“Listen,” I said with my hand on the door. “I really meant it when I said that I wanted to see more of you. And not just you, either. I care about Caley too. You have no idea how much fun I had today.”
Her eyes lit up, and her breathing intensified a bit. “Oh, wow, um. I don’t know what to say, Jake."
“Look, I understand you may have to think things through and all. Especially with Caley.”
She nodded and looked upstairs. “She’s everything to me, so I have to talk with her first. She seems to adore you, but I have to make sure that she wants to see more of you too.”
“Yes, mommy!” Both of us looked upstairs at the sound of Caley’s voice.
“Caley Belmont, are you eavesdropping young lady?”
I quietly laughed.
When Caley didn’t reply, Julianna turned her attention back to me. “She’s getting to be a little too intelligent for her age.”
“Sounds like she’s okay with me,” I said as I gave her a kiss on the lips. “Goodnight.”
After I shut the door, I decided that I needed to walk around for a bit and clear my head.
It was like I was two different guys. I knew that it wouldn’t be long before I had to say goodbye and go back to San Diego. Of course, Julianna wouldn’t be able to come with me, since her job was here in River Valley and also because she had responsibilities as a single mother. Yet I was finding it hard to stay away.
I thought about all of the things I’d be giving up if I entered into a romantic relationship with Julianna, too.
The wild parties with women. Oh, so many women.
I couldn’t even remember how many threesomes I’d been in with models. If I were to date Julianna, my partying would all have to stop. And I’d would eventually become a father figure to Caley.
Any other guy in my position would end it with Julianna. So, why was I finding it impossible to stay away from my high school friend?
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