Spice.

Jules & Jake.

 

‘Domestic Goddess and Employee God,’ Jake read, veiling his amusement with a grim frown. ‘I suppose it will do. It’s a little corny, though.’

            ‘That’s how tabloids work.’ The same intern who had brought him the teddy bear perched himself on the desk beside the magazine. ‘Corny sells. Stories sell, and spread.’

            ‘Yeah, spreading,’ Jake tapped his fingers on the desk. ‘Let’s hope this makes it clear about Julia and I.’

            ‘About the rumour of Julia and you.’

            ‘Right,’ Jake averted his gaze and cleared his throat. ‘You tipped off the people at the Gossip Network and Entertainment Now.’

            The intern nodded. ‘I’m emailing that extravagant online gossip columnist. The one with the spiky hair and outrageous outfits – never mind.’ He trailed off at the blank look on Jake’s face and left the room.

            Jake crossed to the phone and dialled the number from memory. The fact the number was memorized was not an issue – it was merely a fact.

            ‘Julia?’

            ‘Jake. Hi.’

            ‘How’s Carla?’ He took a seat. ‘Have you been to visit her yet?’

            ‘Yeah, she’s a lot better. She fractured her foot. Lucky that it’s not her hands or she’d be even more restless than she already is.’ The amusement and affection in her voice was clear. ‘She’s like a kid on sugar.’

            ‘As long as she’s feeling better,’ he replied, smiling. ‘Did she receive the flowers?’

            ‘Yes.’ She paused. It had been unspeakably sweet. He had called Carla’s work colleague and found out what her favourite flowers were, and what her favourite number was. Half an hour later, fifteen white orchids had appeared in Carla’s hospital room. ‘Yes. She loved them.’

            ‘I’m glad.’

            ‘Jake, I – I just wanted to say thanks for the other night. I needed someone to be there, and you were.’

            ‘Jesus. Julia, any person would have – ’

            ‘Yes, but you did.’ It was marvellous to be able to tell that he was embarrassed that she was thankful. ‘You only have to say “you’re welcome”.’

            ‘You know that you are.’ It was said quietly, kindly, and it should have been absurd that such quiet kindness from a man capable of such ruthlessness would arouse her so.

            ‘I’d like to pay you back tonight.’

            ‘I’m still recovering from the couscous you made the other night. I think my taste buds were born again.’

            She laughed, unaware of how the knowing sound sent tingles down his spine. ‘Food is not all I’m good for, Jacob. I know you haven’t had a chance to experience that side yet, but I think it’s about time.’

            He struggled for words. ‘Julia...’

            ‘See you tonight, Jacob. Think of me.’

            He smiled as he hung up the phone. How ironic that she would ask him to think of her when it had been all he had been doing.

            He got back to work and anticipated the night time.

 

 

            On the other end of the line, Julia panicked. She panicked silently and of her own volition, but she panicked.

            She hoped that she hadn’t given Jacob the impression that she was some sort of seductress, especially given the fact that she had never seduced, or been seduced.

            She turned to Carla, who was grinning at her from the hospital bed, her fuchsia cast balanced in front of her.

            ‘Oh my god, my Jules is all grown up.’

            ‘Your Jules should be admitted to the psych ward. What the hell is wrong with me?’

            ‘You’re female. Jacob Slater is this vital man who reeks of sex appeal – ’

            ‘Aptly put.’

            ‘And he’s turning into a ten thumbed teenage boy around you. You are woman, show off your roar.’

            ‘That’s hardly fair. He’s been very nice to me, very caring.’

            ‘It’s not his nice caring look that’s been extending your showers, Jules. Wear the white lace. It makes you look like a dessert in a cake window.’

            ‘You’re not acting like an injured victim.’

            ‘I’m trying not to show how pissed off I am.’ Carla shifted. ‘Jake is a saint, Julia. If getting him some late night loving is all I can in return, then it’s what I’m going to do.’

            Julia laughed.

            ‘Hey,’ Carla laughed. ‘It’s you or me, Jules. And I think it might be a tad awkward if I were to just – ‘ they both collapsed with laughter, and her nerves were gone.

Author's Note

I'm not used to writing -- uhm, "love" scenes, so I made it as un-detailed as I could get away with.