Love 101

Chapter 6

Surprise Encounter

Cassandra pulled her friend into the conference room the next day asking her details about Nicholas.

"There is nothing to tell Cassandra. We talked briefly at the party and nothing else happened," Juliette stressed. "Did you even get his number?" Cassandra asked.

"No, I don't know enough about him," Juliette said typing on her laptop. "Juliette, you hardly date and want a husband. You have to give God something to work with," Cassandra declared with her hands up in the air. "God does not need my help. Wait on the Lord and be of good courage," Juliette reminded her.

"I just wished you would not close yourself off to dating," Cassandra said concerned. "Sandra, I am fine. You know that I am in a good place after coming out of a toxic relationship. I am fine with my freedom, finding myself again, and improving my relationship with God. I am not looking for anything unless it is ordered by God. And besides that, shouldn't you take some of your advice?" Juliette pointed out. "When are you going to settle down and go to church with me?" Juliette stated.

"Focus," Cassandra laughed. "This is about you and not me. I just have a healthy dating life and I have options before I find Mr. Right," she teased. "If you say so now get back to work," Juliette advised.

Cassandra giggled, "Lunch is on me today." "Great, I can't wait," Juliette said surprised. "Later," Cassandra said leaving the office to get back to work. Juliette focused on her files and gathered information on the database about several clients for her supervisor. Five minutes later her Supervisor Maria Saunders knocked at her door.

"Juliette, how are you? I would like to introduce one of our new analysts and accountants at the firm, Nicholas McFall?" Maria announced. Juliette eyes widened as she came face to face with the gentleman from the party.

"Juliette Lawson is one of our editors and my assistant," Maria beamed making introductions.

Stuart and Co. advertising firm was among the top advertisement companies in the country.

Nicholas's eyes immediately zone in on the woman he met the other night who put him through the ringer. Seeing her face again lifted his spirit and he knew this was not by chance.

He extended his hands as if they had never met before. Juliette extended her hands following his lead all in her head about the moment.

"It's terrific to meet you," he smiled looking at her closely. "Nice to meet you as well," she said shaking his hands. Nicholas felt disappointed when her hands left his feeling that their connection was only beginning.

Juliette avoided the intensity of his eyes and knew it would be impossible to avoid him. She knew Cassandra would get a kick out of this. But this was far from amusing for her. "Juliette, would you mind showing Nicholas around the office?" Maria asked. Juliette wanted to scream no and of course, she would mind. The last thing she wanted her supervisor to speculate that something was going on. Juliette saw the silly grin on Nicholas' face and knew he was enjoying every moment of this.

Juliette swallowed the huge gulp in her throat and escorted Nicholas around the office making introductions and showing him where everything was located. Juliette dreaded making the introduction with Cassandra who quickly put two and two together. When they arrived back from the tour into the elevator. Juliette kept her distance and could feel Nicholas's eyes boring into her back.

"Thank you for the tour," he said softly. He wanted to make her comfortable because he realized Juliette could be stubborn. Juliette finally faced him regretting looking into his eyes. "You are welcome," she finally said turning away. "Juliette, are we going to pretend that we have never met?" he asked.

"Yes. This is work and we don't want the lines to be crossed," she indicated. Nicholas leaned back and continued to watch her closely wondering if he would ever be able to get her walls down. "What about outside of work?" he asked still holding on to hope.

"We are colleagues now. I don't know if it is wise to mix business with pleasure," Juliette suggested.

"Juliette, I want to get to know you better. Don't make this difficult," Nicolas suggested not at all discouraged or willing to give up. Juliette wanted him to know she was not budging on this. As she stared at him, she could feel her heartbeat slightly speed up. What was it about this man that had her lost in his presence? Before she could speak the elevator opened snapping her out of her thoughts. She could not allow Nicolas to change her mind.

Cassandra could not help but smile after seeing the precarious situation Juliette was in as they sat down for lunch. "Juliette, it's not so bad or uncertain as you would think. Nicholas seems to be crazy about you. Are you going to give him a chance?" Cassandra asked. "We work together and that has changed things," Juliette said taking a bite of her Caesar salad. Cassandra folded her arms disappointed. "Juliette Lawson, you are impossible. You are simply looking for excuses not to get to know this man. We both know even if he was not working for the company, you would find some excuse not to date him," Cassandra pointed out.

"I am sorry that I am not as spontaneous as you Sandy but I don't want to be so hasty with my decision. I want to be sure about the next man I date," Juliette admitted recalling how Micheal had broken her heart due to his cheating and manipulative ways. Micheal portrayed that he was a Christian, and wanted to settle down. However, she discovered he was cheating, living a separate life and his heart was far from his actions. Cassandra reached across the table and squeezed Juliette's hand.

"I know Michael hurt you but you cannot judge all men by his actions. It's been over a year and your life continues. You are a wonderful person and deserve love," Cassandra reminded her. "If you don't want to go out with Nicholas, perhaps you can date the next guy that walks into this restaurant," Cassandra teased. Juliette shook her head knowing that her friend was outlandish with her suggestions. Cassandra touched her gently causing her to look up suddenly as the restaurant door opened. Surprisingly, Nicholas walked in prompting Cassandra to giggle.