The Delivery Girl

43. Important

Callen

Julie scurries away so quickly I almost immediately lose sight of her in the crowd.

"Is she ok?" Stephanie asks.

"I'm going to go check on her." My voice is much steadier than I feel. "Sorry guys, I'll catch up with you later."

I head to our bedroom first, knowing this would be her safest place tonight.

I find Julie out on our bedroom's small balcony. She grips the railing, her silhouette outlined by the glow of the lights on the patio below. I quietly close the door behind me and join her outside. The festivities of the party downstairs are a distant roar now.

"Hey." I rest my hand on her lower back. She's warm but stiff. "What's wrong?"

My question feels stupid as soon as I say it. I left her to fend for herself in a sea of sharks.

She doesn't say anything, staring straight out towards the city's sparkling night horizon.

"Listen," I try again, "I'm really sorry about leaving you alone for so long. I thought I could manage it all, but I didn't stop to think about how you were feeling." And only weeks after telling her she was a priority. What is wrong with me? "I've just been worried about the company lately, I saw these people as my opportunity to fix everything. Networking has always been one of the things I'm best at."

I realize how pathetic my excuse is as soon as it comes out of my mouth. I wish it didn't sound so businesslike, so corporate. Like my life could simply fit neatly into a project charter.

She sighs softly. "I mean... I'm not thrilled about that, but I understand why you did what you had to do. That's not what I'm upset about."

My chest feels heavier. "Then what is it?"

She looks up at me and my breath catches. Her round eyes glimmer with the reflection of the glowing moon, beautiful but filled with unspoken words. "We come from different worlds," she says softly. "You could literally have any girl at this party, and for some reason, you're with me."

That hits me harder than anything all night. I rest my hand over hers. She's gripping so tightly onto the balcony's railing that her knuckles have begun to turn white. "Julie... I'm with you because I love you."

Her breath hitches and she looks away.

"I know I should have said that ages ago," I say softly. On top of dividing my time between her and work, the thought of committing myself to a girl who could easily destroy me has been terrifying. "I was afraid of putting myself in a position where losing you would feel like losing everything. I've never felt this way about anyone, Julie."

Her grip on the railing loosens and she laces her fingers with mine. "I love you too..." she finally says. "But did you hear your friends? I felt stupid...I don't fit in at all." She takes a shaky breath. "What happens when you meet someone richer and more successful than me? Someone without the problems I have?"

"Julie, you don't have to worry about those things," I insist.

"But I do." She pulls away and sits down on the bench against the railing. "What about someone more used to the life you live? Like another CEO... she would've been right by your side, networking with executives too. People would've been giving her business proposals. Talking to your friends about her private jets and vacation homes. You wouldn't have left her alone."

I sit down next to her, my chest aching. "I don't care about those things. I care about you." I put my arm around her. "You're the most selfless, intelligent, hardworking, and beautiful girl I've ever met."