The Intoxicating Affair

Chapter 4

I messaged Julia while working and asked if she could meet up at the pub tonight instead of my house. She hasn't replied yet. I was nervous. I don't know why? I'm thinking she might actually want something to happen and so the fact that it could happen, drives me insane because I would like nothing more than to get with her but at the same time, I feel horribly guilty for Mike and her kids. It's not my life so I shouldn't feel like that but I just don't know what to do. Just before I shut the store, Julia messaged me back.
Sure, I'll see you there soon.
It was quite blunt. Is she mad at me for something?
Once I finished doing my end of day rec, I grabbed my things and locked up the store. It was quite cold outside. The sky is so dark already. I drove to the pub near by. It was quite busy in there already. I scanned the room but don't see her yet. I go take a seat at the bar, leaving a spot free next to me.
"Can I grab an Apple Cider please?" I asked the bartender.
Once I got my drink, I started sipping on it. Fifteen minutes went by, she still wasn't here. I thought I was late... I checked my phone but don't have any missed texts or calls. I looked around the pub and didn't see her. I checked my phone again when suddenly I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I turned to see Julia.
"I'm so sorry I'm late" She spoke as she planted a soft kiss on my cheek and sat down next to me. I was surprised.
"Hey, that's okay" I replied. She took off her black coat. She was wearing a dark grey turtle neck. Her hair was down and straightened as always and she was wearing a dark purple or brown lipstick. It was hard to tell in this lighting. She looked amazing. I think she caught me admiring her, she shoved me a little.
"Stop starring" She giggled
"'I'm sorry, would you like a drink?" I asked her, breaking my stare. She gave me a slight smile and put her hand up to get the bartenders attention.
"Hi, can I please get a red wine, whatever you have will do" She spoke as she handed them cash.
"Hey, I could've paid" I stated
"I know" She smiled
We talked for a while, she told me about how busy and stressful her day was. I was trying to listen to what she had to say but I couldn't stop thinking about her lips. They are so big yet dark, from her lipstick. Imagining her lips to taste like the red wine she's drinking.
"...It's just like throw me a fricken bone you know?!" She ended her story
"Yeah totally... That sucks" I had no idea really what she said but I'm hoping what I just said fit into what she was saying.
"Anyway, enough of me rambling about work. How are you?" She asked
"I'm good. I'm a little tired I think, haven't slept all that well" I stated
"Oh, why's that?" She asked
Oh, you know just thinking about banging you... I shake my thoughts away.
"Just... Can't sleep haha, sometimes I just have trouble if my mind is over working itself" I explained
"What's on your mind?" She asked as she took another sip of her wine. I hesitated to say what I really wanted to say.
"Oh, just work. Yeah... Working everyday by myself gets boring, tiring and stressful" I replied
"Why don't you hire an employee to work with you? I didn't realise you were the only one who worked there" She suggested
"Yeah I have thought about it. I just don't know how to conduct interviews and stuff. I would have to put an ad out or something" I replied
"Yeah, just write a note up saying employee wanted, seek within and stick it up on your front door. I'm sure you'll have someone decent who would like to work there" She stated
"Yeah, I'll work on that tomorrow I think" I replied.
"I have the day off tomorrow, maybe I can come in and see you?" She suggested
"Oh... Yeah, that would be cool!" I smiled. I'm unsure as to why she is wanting to spend so much time with me? Is she wanting more? I need to make it clear to her that we can never be anything more than friends. Now how can I do that? I'm going to have to stop seeing her as often as I am because if we keep going the way we are, we're both going to develop more feelings. After tomorrow, I'm going to have to start making excuses.
"Well I better get going since I have work tomorrow" I stand.
"I'll see you tomorrow" She smiled. I walked out of the pub and drove home.

I fed Boomer, had a shower and sat on my couch. I keep looking at my phone as if I'm expecting a text or call from Julia. I need to stop. Instead I called Owen.
"Hey, want to go out Friday night?" I asked.
After filling him in on everything and him disagreeing because he thinks 'oh well, she clearly likes you just go for it' we ended up agreeing on what I think is best and he is coming out with me on Friday. I need to distract my mind a bit.