I pulled over on the side of the road, just outside of Jules' place and text her that we were almost there. I smiled over at Tara, then got out of the car. Tara followed suit and we walked down the driveway, hand in hand, up the steps, and knocked on the front door. Moments later Jules appeared at the front door with a shocked expression on her face.
"Oh my god! Simone, that was really quick," Jules exclaimed as she pulled me into a hug, making me laugh.
"We were just out on the street when I text you," I smiled. "Anyway, Jules, this is Tara, Tara, this is Jules," I made quick introductions.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jules," Tara smiled, offering Jules her hand.
"Likewise," Jules replied, shaking Tara's hand. Then Jules pulled her cellphone out and started texting as she motioned for us to come inside the house.
Jules: OMG! She's fucking gorgeous!
I laughed out loud as I checked the message on my phone and realized that Jules had been texting me.
"You could have just said that out loud," I continued to laugh as I showed Tara the text message.
"Thank you, that's so nice of you, Jules," Tara said once she'd read the text. I looked over at Jules and saw that she was blushing. "So, Jules what was Simmy like in school?" Tara asked as we sat down in the living room. Jules smiled as she thought about Tara's question, as she was taken down memory lane.
"She always had a pen and paper with her, always working on some story or script, I remember Simone used to take part in every inter-house event that there was, from athiletics to kapa haka, and she's was the most loyal friend I had in high school," Jules informed my girlfriend. "How did the two of you meet?" Jules threw a question in our direction.
"Must be your turn to tell the story, Hun," I turned to face Tara.
"Nah-ah, do you know how many times I had to tell your friends and family last night?" Tara faced me as well.
"Almost as many times as I did, almost, but not quite," I replied. I looked deep into Tara's eyes, trying to stare her down. But it didn't work. "Fine, fine, I'll tell the story," I gave into her, turned to face Jules and told the story of how Tara and I met for what felt like the hundredth time. I smiled when I'd finished the story and saw the shocked expression on my friends face.
"Wow, no offense Tara, but your ex sounds like a real bitch," Jules commented.
"Yeah, she did turn out to be quite the bitch," Tara smiled weakly, putting on a brave face, but I could tell that she wasn't comfortable with where the conversation was going.
"So, Jules, where's Hayley? I thought that you two were living together now," I asked to change the subject. Tara put her hand on my thigh and squeezed it lightly in thanks.
"She's at work, she started about half an hour before you two arrived," Jules informed us.
"That's a shame, it would have been nice to catch up with her as well," I commented. Up until then I hadn't really taken any notice of my surroundings, so in the uncomfortable silence that greeted my comment I took the time to look around. And that's when I noticed my book tucked under some magazines on the coffee table. I reached forward and picked it up and held it up, looking at the cover.
"Yeah, I saw that randomly when I was in the bookshop the other day," Jules commented. "So, you finally got published, eh?" I just nodded. "Congratulations, I always knew you could do it," Jules exclaimed warmly.
"Thanks," I said quietly.
"It's really well written, I couldn't put it down, and Hayley loves it too," Jules continued to praise my book. "What inspired you to write it?" Jules asked.
