by my last post. I mentioned moving on because I was trying to be inspiring, to offer hope, and instead my followers saw me as spitting on Noah’s memory.
The last two posts I’d done had been about writing the book, and the comments ranged from “Glad you aren’t moving on” to “You’ll love him forever!” And it killed me inside to think about Julian reading those comments, believing them, or worse, coming under fire because he liked me and I liked him.
I didn’t want to let down my followers.
But I also needed to live my life.
And I needed Julian in it.
Chapter Thirty-Three
JULIAN
“Hey, you made it!” Bridge walked around the table and slapped me on the back with one hand and then pulled me in for a hug I was ninety-nine percent sure was going to end up in multiple tabloids.
I understood Keaton’s reservations.
Didn’t mean it didn’t burn or make me want to throw something.
“Yup.” I hugged him back quickly and took a seat across from my ex-fiancée and my brother.
Had there ever been a more awkward third wheel?
Doubtful, highly doubtful.
I was ready to wave down the waiter and let him know to keep them coming when a drink appeared at my elbow.
“Bridge, know that I mean this with every fiber of my being—thank you for using twin sync, reading my mind, and ordering me alcohol.” I threw back the glass of fine whiskey and was ready to hug him again when he and Izzy both gave me a funny look. “What?”
“Our waiter hasn’t stopped by yet.” Izzy grinned and then hid behind her menu.
“Izzy, if you set me up on a blind date, I’m going to officially lose my shit. I’ve been typing a love story that I’m not part of all day every day, falling for a woman who refuses to see me in public, and all I want is to get through dinner, preferably drunk so I can go home and repeat the torturous process.”
Izzy’s smile was so big I was almost nervous.
Bridge looked equally excited.
“What?” I huffed.
Someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I turned and nearly fell out of my chair as Keaton, in the black dress I’d purchased for her, pulled out a chair and sat down. “Not really a blind date if you already know the person, right, Julian?”
My smile was currently taking up my entire face. “You came.”
“No thanks to you.” She jabbed a finger in my direction. “I had to call Izzy to find out what restaurant I’d need to crash. Thankfully she called me back right away and offered her firstborn if only I’d show up and order you whiskey.”
Bridge let out a snort while Izzy burst out laughing. And then Bridge elbowed Izzy. “You didn’t really offer up our child?”
Izzy just patted his hand and rolled her eyes, reminding me why they were better for each other from the start, reminding me why we only ever had friendship and a tumultuous relationship where neither of us was ever fully satisfied but constantly trying to be something we weren’t.
I could have sworn in that moment, Izzy knew the direction of my thoughts. She nodded her head slightly and lifted her water glass in silent acknowledgment of something I refused to decipher, but it felt a hell of a lot like waving a white flag and shouting, “Peace.”
The waiter arrived before I could say anything, and then Keaton’s hand was on my thigh, squeezing.
I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until I exhaled and covered her hand, giving a return squeeze. She quickly let go, but it was enough for me to think that maybe this was a baby step in the right direction.
Both of us appearing in public meant nothing.
But to me it meant something.
It meant people would wonder.
It also meant that I would have to control myself when all I wanted to do was throw her onto the table and kiss her senseless for coming.
My eyes greedily scanned the menu, reading everything, understanding nothing, because I was too focused on the woman sitting next to me, when someone cleared their throat.
It was a teenage girl. She was holding out her iPhone and staring at Keaton like Keaton was going to sprout ten heads. “Um, hi, you don’t know me, and I know you guys are about ready to have dinner . . .” Her eyes fell to me in confusion then back to Keaton. “But could I get a selfie with you?”
Keaton beamed. “Of course!” She quickly got out of her