*James*

"Alright, Mags. Are you ready?" I scruff up my dog's fur one more time before we start our run through the park. Running is one of the ways for me to decompress. Clear my mind. Especially after this morning. First, worried about Julia from the way she came into the hotel earlier, then having to run into my father.

God, I wish he would just move or go to prison or something. Why does he feel the need to stay in L.A. is beyond me. There is nothing here for him. 

After work this morning, I pulled into the gas station to fill up my tank thanks to Paul paying me earlier than usual. As quickly as I drove in, I drove out when I saw Joe leaving the convenience store with a pack of cigarettes. I keep my eye on his through my rear-view mirror and watch him light the cigarette and look right at me, blowing the toxic smoke in my direction before smirking. 

The same brand of cigarette he smokes when I was a child.  The scars from him using me as his personal ash tray still burn through my skin. Once I'm out of his view, I pull my SUV over and jump out. I run to the grass and empty whatever contents are left in my stomach. Fortunately, I only had one half a piece of toast off Julia's tray to hold me over for a while, so there wasn't much to throw up.  I am also fortunate to still have an orange and a banana at home to get me through my run.  I head home and clean myself up, eat the banana and save the orange for later, and grab my dog for our daily run through Griffith Park.

Halfway through our run, I pass by her.

Julia.

Also, running and stopping once she sees me. I turn around, and we both walk towards each other. She looks good.  But she's bravely wearing a Boston Celtics basketball T-shirt on her run in L.A. I will have to tease her about that.

"You know, people get beat up for wearing shirts like that around here!"

Julia laughs, and I give her a smile. Surprisingly, Maggie wags her tail and goes right to Julia. Maggie is a shy dog. She only gravitates to people who need her.  People who are in need of love or are going through something. She's not an official Therapy Dog, but she sure could be. Maggie heads right to my mom whenever she sees her and is always by my side because she knows I've been through my own deal of trauma. But today. She goes straight to Julia, and I can't help but wonder why.

 Julia kneels down, and Maggie goes right to her.

"Oh my gosh, hii!" Julia squeals, wanting to pet Mags. "Can I?" 

I nod, and Maggie not only lets Julia give her attention, but she goes as far as to jump up and lick Julia in the face!

"Maggie! Stop!" I tug on her harness a little. "Sorry about that. She loves you, apparently."

"Awww, Hi Maggie. She's so sweet." 

"So, you took my advice. This place is nice, right?" I squat down and pull a little treat out of my pocket to give to Maggie. Like always, Maggie puts her paw out. "Good girl."

"It's perfect. This and looking at your cute little face." Julia says, scruffing behind Maggie's ears.

"I take it you like dogs?" 

"I really do. Do you come here often?"

 We start walking together without realizing it.

"All the time. There's a dog park right over there that Maggie loves. I live right around the corner. Oh, did you just start your run? I don't want to interrupt you." I smile down at Julia, and my stomach ties in a knot when she smiles back.

"I'm done. I can't run for long. 30 to 45 minutes. My old age and all." She jokes.

"Yeah, ok. Should I grab your cane, old lady? You're far from old."

Maggie walks in front of us, crisscrossing a little, making us swerve into each other. "Mags knock it off." She just barks in return. "Such a big baby." I untangle her leash from her back leg as we continue to stroll.

We spend the day walking and talking, and I have to say it is one of the better days I've had in a while. I love spending time with Julia, even if we only remain friends. She's easy to talk to and makes me laugh. Time flies by when I'm around her. But there's something about her. I can't pinpoint it yet, but I will. We share something.  She's been through shit. I can tell without her even having to say and my dog can definitely sense it as well. Regardless, we keep all our conversations light like we always do. Laughing and joking around. Any awkwardness from before has now vanished completely, and I'm grateful for that.

After a few hours of chatting away, I mentally think of how much cash I have in my wallet before asking my next question.

"You hungry at all?" I ask while we stop, so Maggie can sniff something. I'm now starving after not really eating breakfast and living off a banana before my run earlier. "There's this taco truck up the road, Viva Azteca, that is the best around. I'm not kidding. It's so good."

"We work out and then eat tacos. You know me too well." Julia jokes and follows me. She stops for a second making me turn and look at her confusingly.

"My wallet is in my car." She blushes, making me laugh a little internally. "I don't even know WHERE my car is." 

"I'm not having you pay, Julia." I shake my head and turn back around to continue the walk...with or without her. She'll follow. I know she will.

"Wait!" She quickly catches up. "Then I pay next time. Got it??"

"Next time, hmm?" I tease and nudge Julia a little. Maggie barks at me. "Oh, relax yourself, ya big baby." I scruff her back. Maggie IS protective of Julia already. Interesting.

"Next time." Julia repeats and smiles.

*****

*Trisha*

I haven't heard from Nate all day now. What the hell is up with that man lately?? I drive by Sullivan's on my way to the post office and wouldn't ya know. There's his Range Rover parked in the lot. 

My heart drops for him.

I don't go in, though. I don't know what is running through his head these days, but I don't have time to babysit him AND run all his errands today. Doesn't mean it still stings to see him hurting like this. The alcohol is starting to take over Nate's life, whether he wants to believe it or not, and to be honest... I don't know if I can handle it. I couldn't handle it with Dave. The whole reason I broke off our engagement.

 But Nate. He's my best friend. I can't live with that man, and he knows it. I've known him for so long. I hate seeing him fall apart the way he is falling apart right now. Part of me is actually surprised this hasn't hit the news or tabloids yet. Everything else he does crashes the internet. But he's kept this addiction under wraps so far. 

I don't know how to help him. He won't talk to me about it lately. I have a feeling the stress of Cara is getting to him. Maybe having to add Julia to his list of clients to teach is also too much? I can't tell. He seems eager for their sessions, so I don't think that is it. I just wish he'd talk to me.

I know not to push it. One thing with Nate. He will tell you when he's ready. You push him, and he will take a step back. So, today. I leave him be. 

*****

*James*

"I think this is the longest amount of time I've spent here, and I've lived here all my life." I admit while feeding Maggie a little of my taco meat.

We sit across from each other at an empty picnic table and finish our tacos. 

"Same," Julia jokes. I laugh, knowing full well this is the first time she's been here. I want to ask her so many questions about the last few days, but I don't. When Julia wants to tell me, she will.

I watch Maggie, who is content by Julia's side. "I think she likes you more than she likes me, now."

"Same," Julia teases. "Kidding... Kidding!" I roll my eyes at her and throw a tortilla trip at her, missing, and Maggie eats it when it falls to the ground. 

Minutes go by as we eat without talking, but it's not an uncomfortable silence. Not at all, actually. It's a peaceful silence. I am content just being in Julia's presence, and I think she feels the same way.

After a while, Julia is the one to break our silent moment. "God, I don't even know where I parked my car."

"Hmm. I'm right over there. You may be on the other side.... or maybe that way." I point in two completely different directions, making her laugh. God, how I love her laugh.

"I can give you a ride. We'll find it...I hope." I stand and grab all our trash to throw out. "C'mon Mags. Let's go search for Miss Moretti's car."

We walk for a good five minutes towards my car, and while Maggie sees it, she plops down right next to it. I grab my pups face and scruff her jaw, and she licks me on my cheek before hopping into the backseat of my car, curling up on her blanket. "Did we tire you out, ya big baby?" I reach in and pet her one more time.

"Oh my God, I just love her." Julia blurts out, also leaning in to reach my dog for one last pet. She reaches in and extends her arm to pet Maggie but also leans into my side a little, practically pressing into me. I freeze when I feel her against my body. 

With both our arms reached out petting Maggie, I feel a twinge in my stomach. She must have felt something similar because she freezes right at the same time.

Julia quickly takes her hand off Maggie and backs up a little to stand up straight. I do the same and turn to face her, just inches apart, now towering over her small frame. All I want to do right now is kiss her. But I can't. She's made it clear she is not interested in me like that, and I don't want to ruin this perfect day. She's with Nate. I know that now for sure after seeing them in his SUV the other night making out in the rain. 

But I still look down at Juia, unable to look away and feel my smile fade a little, thinking how much I want to be with her but can't. I can't stop looking at her perfect lips, and the seconds seem like hours of us staring at each other. I reel it in and sigh, backing away to give her space.

"Let's go find your car, Miss Moretti." I say softly and walk to the other side of the SUV.

"Let's see. I'll drive; you tell me if you see it." I say while we drive around a little. After a good five minutes, Julia sees her rental car and points.

"There!! "Wow, we were way off."

"We walked far, I guess." I see Mags sleeping in the back and nod for Julia to look as I pull up next to Julia's car.

"Aww. We did tire her out!"

"Today was fun. Thanks for telling me about this place, James. I needed this." Julia says, and I nod and give her a little grin.

"Thanks for hanging out with me. Us." I look back at Maggie.

"Maybe I'll see ya later?" 

"I'll be there. As always," I reply, letting her know I will for sure be working tonight. I watch her get out of my car and into hers, driving away and watching her in my rear-view mirror. I finally let out a breath that I have apparently been holding for a while because whatever I'm feeling right now is strong. Too strong to stay in friend mode.

*****

*Trisha*

Once I'm done running all of Nate's errands and my own, I decide to pay my mom a visit. It's been a while, and I haven't been good with visiting her. 

I pull through the cemetery gates and drive down the dirt road to where her grave is. Once close enough, I park my car and head over to her site. I cleaned off some of the leaves and debris and sat in front of the tombstone for a few seconds while holding the flowers I bought at the store on my way over. Mom loves daisies. They were her favorite flower. I put them in the vase next to her grave and positioned it perfectly.

God, I miss you, mom. I miss you so much! If only I could have one more day with you. Just one.

I feel myself start to cry and let it happen.

Then something catches my attention. Or someone, off in the distance. An old Range Rover is parked down the road, and the man is also sitting at a grave. He looks so familiar. I watch him for a moment. He's wearing a Marriott shirt. That's where I know him from! He's James. The man who helped me book Julia's hotel room for Nate before she came to California. 

James catches me staring at him, so I stand and walk towards him. It's awkward enough that I was staring at him. The least I can do is go over and say hello. I wipe away my tears, and when he notices me walk over, he stands and does the same until we are closer.

"You work at the Marriott, right??" I say, quickly feeling dumb.

"Yep. That's what my name tag says." He smiles and pulls at his shirt where his Marriott name tag is clipped. I laugh and feel so stupid at the same time.

"Trisha. I think you helped me awhile back setting up Nate Hollan's contestant for America's Voice. You were so helpful... I'm his personal assistant."

"Right! That's where I know you from!" James exclaims, now putting two and two together. He smiles. He has a great smile. He has a great everything, actually.

"Sorry for your loss..." I say, and the smile fades.

"Oh, thanks. Yeah. You too." James doesn't tell me who he is mourning, but I glance over and see the tombstone. A child. A baby. My heart drops seeing that. 

"Thanks. My mom." I nod back to where I was previously. "It's been a while since I visited her."

James nods, and there's a moment of silence.

"Well, I gotta get to work soon. It was nice seeing you, Trisha. Wish it were better circumstances, but still. Have a good day." James smiles and walks back to his car.

"You too." My words trail off as I watch the man leave. God, he's hot. I need to get my mind outta the gutter. What are the chances that I'd bump into him. Here. At this very moment?

Once he is out of the cemetery, I walk back to my mom's grave and pull out one daisy. I then walk to the tomb James was at. Carter Galo. I place the flower next to a teddy bear at his grave. So sad.

*****

*James*

It's almost 9pm. by the time I see Julia in the Marriott Lobby. I'm texting back and forth with Lindsay, who had to travel with her job, giving me a little extra time with Maggie. Instead of leaving Maggie home alone tonight, I chance it by bringing her to work. No one is ever around during the overnight shift. I don't do it often, but today, after visiting my son's grave, I kinda want my dog close by.

Julia bypasses me and only waves without stopping. Why does she seem awkward suddenly?

"Hey you!" I shout, getting her to turn around. "Yeah- youu! Cmere! I have something to show you!"

"What do you have to show me?" Julia walks over to the front desk. I point below me behind the desk, but Julia is so damn tiny she can't see over the counter.

 "Christ, come around shorty."

She walks to the other side and sees Maggie, sleeping under the desk.

"Oh my God!!" Julia shrieks, and I immediately put my hand over her mouth.

"Shhhhhh! You're gonna rat me out, Julia!" I quickly pull my hand away. "Sorry. It's just that no one can know. If my boss found out, she'd have my head."

"Aww, she's so sweet! Why is she here, though?"

I sit back down in my chair and motion for Julia to sit in the other chair behind the desk with me.

"Well. It's kind of a weird story, actually." I get comfortable in my chair and swivel just a little. "So, Mags is from - Let's say - a broken home."

I tell Julia all about me and my ex sharing my dog and how we take turns having her. She thinks it sounds complicated, but it's not. Bot when you are friends with all your exes. It's actually pretty easy. 

"We spoil the shit out of Maggie, and she knows it. But Lindsay had to travel for work, and we have never put her in doggy daycare before. It's just not our thing. So, I got her a few extra days. He sounds excited when he says that. I didn't want to leave her home alone tonight." I leave out the part of visiting Carter's grave and how now I just want my dog close by to keep me company tonight.

"Aww that's great. Have you guys been doing this for a while?" 

"Almost a year now. We have the system down now... for the most part." Maggie starts to wake up, and the second she sees Julia, she jumps up to her, wanting attention.

"Aww, hey girl! Oh my gosh, you are so happy." Julia pets Mags, and she licks her on the face.

"Mags. Knock it off..." I tug on her harness a little. "Sorry."

"Don't be. That's the best kiss I've gotten all day."

What did she just say?  I laugh a little at that comment.

"Well," I raise an eyebrow and flirt a little. Because I just can't help myself now. "I mean, you know I'm available to change that..."

"Who says you kiss better than little Maggie here, hmm?" 

The second Julia says that I roll my chair closer so our knees touch and am surprised that she doesn't back up.

"Oh, you didn't give me a chance to show you how good I really am... Miss Moretti." I whisper, looking down at her perfect lips and back up to her  eyes. Julia knows I'm only teasing her, and I smile and let out a little laugh before leaning back in my chair.

"Relax... I'm just teasing ya, I know you're not into me." I laugh, but Julia doesn't. Catching me off guard. 

"James." 

I stare at her and can feel my smile fade. Is she serious, or is she teasing me? I didn't think she was interested in me. At all.

"But, I thought -" I start, but Julia cuts me off.

"James...." She repeats and stares back at me. It's all I needed for confirmation. I suddenly feel nervous. I'm nervous because all I want is my lips on hers. But I also don't want to misread her again. But the twinge in my stomach and the way Julia is looking at me  gives me more confidence.

I lean in and cup her face. God, she is so beautiful. We both dropped our eyes to each other's lips, and I now know she wants this as much as I do. I brush my lips against hers and feel her place her hand behind my head to draw me in more.

I kiss her.

I kiss her and don't stop. She's perfect. Everything about this moment is perfect, and I can't get enough of her lips.

Julia grabs a fistful of my shirt, pulling me in as close as possible, and I deepen our kiss, feeling the tingling sensation shoot straight down my body . Shit,  as we intensify the kiss, I start getting aroused. All from this one kiss. At work. But she is an amazing kisser, and we mesh perfectly.

I need to reel myself in, though. I slow down our kiss and then end it, backing away a little but still pecking her perfect lips a few times in between our words.

"Ok, you kiss better than Maggie." Julia whispers with our lips barely brushing each other.

"Told ya..." 

*****

*Trisha*

Today, Nate surprised me with not only a day off but a day off with an already paid trip to a luxury spa right outside of town. I've never been so excited in my life for this day off!

I walk into the high-end spa, and they give me all the treatments on the menu thanks to Nate booking every single thing they offered for me. For hours, I get pampered. I let my mind and my body finally relax.

All I can seem to think about is how thoughtful my best friend is. And also the man I saw at the cemetery. The guy from the Marriot. James.

I really need  a hobby.

I check in with Nate a few times, knowing he has a busy day today, just to make sure he's good and on top of things, then decide to shut my phone off and enjoy the rest of my spa day. Nate is good. He's where he needs to be and on time. For once. And for once - not at Sullivan's pub.

*****

*James*

Yesterday was the perfect day, aside from seeing my asshole father in the morning, that is. Spending the afternoon with Julia, and then seeing her during my shift. And the kiss. That kiss. It's all I think about. Like almost every day, I pull in to Griffith Park with my dog . But today. Julia pulls up right next to my car. I can't help but smile when I see her.

"Mags, stop already! Jesus, she's obsessed with you." I pull Maggie a little, who is very excited to see Julia.

"Aww, and I'm obsessed with you."  She  pets the pup, and then Maggie returns to me.

"Well, look who it is. Are you stalking me, Miss Moretti?" 

"What if I am??" Julia laughs. 

"Eh, I'd let ya. You're kinda cute." I grab my blanket and backpack out of my trunk, and Julia follows me.

"KINDA?? Do you hear that, Maggie? He only thinks I'm KINDA cute." Julia squats down and pets Maggie again.

"Alright, alright. You're beautiful." I flirt and watch Julia blush.

"Hey, me and this big baby have a picnic date on the grass. Wanna join us?"  I ask, now standin directly in front of Julia. She looks up while still squatting near Maggie, and I smirk at this position we are currently in. "Or would you like to stay down there? I can make that work, too."

Julia's face turns red. Like real fucking red.

"I'm kidding! But your face turning that color red is comical. C'mon, hang with us today."

"Sure! I only have a little while though, I have practice tonight."

"Oh, yeah... how's that going? I don't know much about it . I've never seen the show. I don't really watch much tv in general." No way in hell I'm telling Julia I can't afford Cable TV!

We find the perfect spot of grass for our picnic and Julia helps me spread out my blanket before we both plop own on it.

Maggie does the same and actually lays her head right on Julia's lap. Julia doesn't seem to mind though.

"Like shit. I'm awful at it and Nate knows I don't really practice enough back at the hotel. I just need to focus."

"You'll get there. Do you enjoy it?" I rummage through my backpack and hand Julia a water bottle.

"Thanks. To be honest. I'm not sure. My fingers hurt, and I'm having a hard time grasping the techniques. I'm not really into it as much as I thought I would be" 

"Wasn't that like the top of your bucket list thing though?"

"Technically, I wasn't the one to enter the contest. My best friend did it for me as a surprise. She didn't think they'd actually pick me. I didn't know she did it until I got the call." 

I lay my head on my dog as a pillow while my dog lays her head on Julia as a pillow and look up at Julia while we talk.

"So you just went with it..." I ask.

"So I just went with it." 

"Hmm. Well I'm glad you did." Maggie sees something that interests her and she abruptly jumps up and moves, no longer a pillow for me. I boldly take the chance and rest my head on Julia's lap in place of my dog. "Thanks for ditching me Mag..."

Julia runs her fingers through my hair and I  close my eyes and let out a little sigh.

"Sorry.. I-"

"Don't stop. It feels good."  I wiggle my head a little on her lap for her to continue, and she does. Playing with my hair, relaxing me as I close my eyes. Without moving I look up at her. "Do you have your phone on you?"

"Of course."  She hands me my phone and I exchange our numbers before handing it back.
"There. Now whenever you want to hang, you won't have to stalk me. You need a new phone." I laugh at her very cracked screen.

"I know, I know. It just took me forever to save for this one so I refuse to buy another one."

"I here ya. Nothing is cheap these days."  God I get that.

Maggie starts sniffing for food so I lift my head off Julia's lap and pull out some doog treats, and a pint of blueberries. "You hungry, girl?" I throw my dog a dew bones and then open the pint of blueberries for Julia. "Want some?" I lay my head back on her lap and balance the pint on my chest for us to share.

We chat for awhile. Stupid shit really.  And I crack a joke that makes Julia laugh so hard she cries.

"Are you crying again, Miss Moretti?" I sit up and make it known I did catch her crying the other day but I won't bring that up. It's not my place. 

"I am.. That's a funny story!" She is literally crying and laughing at the same time.

"Jeeze, you're a hot mess." I grab a napkin and kneel in front of her, wiping her tears away for her.

I stare at her for a second before brushing my thumb across her bottom lip.

"You know you have THE perfect lips?"  I move in a little and Julia does as well. 

"Do I...."  Julia flirts back.But then my phone goes off killing the moment. Maggie stops barking and I back away.

"Sorry," I look at my phone. It's Lindsay. "Shit, I have to take this." I get up and walk away.  I pace while I talk on the phone. Lindsay is done with traveling and wants Maggie now. It's her turn. I tell her where I am for her to meet me at the park.

"Maggies, Mommy's coming to get you!"  I say to my dog who gets excited like she knows what I'm talking about. I don't want to give her up but it's only fair. I had her an extra day as it is. Maggie jumps up and wags her tail. "Aww my girl.."  I sit down and let Maggie lick my cheek and give her love before Linds comes.

"Should I go?" 

"Go? No why? Oh.. Lindsay is cool. Don't worry about that." I assure Julia she's fine.  Within two minutes Lindsay pulls in so I stand up. Julia does as well.

Once Lindsay walks over I introduce her to Julia and we chat for a few minutes until Julia's phone alarm goes off.

"Oh shoot, speaking of... I'm gonna be late if I don't head out. I can't be late for THE Nate Hollan." She teases, knowing Lindsay fangirls over Nate Hollan.

"Wow. Maggie doesn't do that for just anyone." Lindsay looks at me in shock.

"I know right? It's crazy!" I say, still in disbelief.

"You better not mess this up, James.. you'll break Maggie's heart." Lindsay said.

Julia quickly says her goodbyes and awkwardly walks back to her car. 

"Give me a minute to say bye." I say to Lindsay, who nods and starts playing with our dog. I run over to Julia who is about to get into her car.

"Hey, you forgot something." I say and move in closer.

"I did?" 

"You did.."  I close her door on her and grab her waist with both hands. I lean my forehead on hers and whisper, "You definitely forgot something."

I kiss her and it quickly turns into a full blown make out session. Julia wraps her arms around my waist and sinks into our kiss. I've wanted this moment for so friggen long and I let her know by pressing into her against the SUV.  Our kiss deepens more and I start to harden against her body. Jesus Christ, I can't back away I can tell Julia is feeling the same now.

I try to stop the kiss and look down at Julia's mouth. "Like I said, you have the perfect lips." I kiss her softly three or four times. "I know you have to go," I mumble but continue to peck her lips and press into her. Christ, I'm fully hard now. "You're gonna have to push me away.." I kiss her again, and again. "I won't be able to stop.."

Right when I think Julia is going to back away, she surprises me by threading her fingers through my hair and pulling me in for another deep his. This time, she takes over and her tongue dominates my mouth needing more. I could take her right here and now against this car without a problem.

 "I told you , I won't be able to stop..." I  press into her harder and hear her gasp. I groan and kiss her again. God she's driving me crazy. I'm gonna have to take care of this before work now.

"I ....really....have ...to...go" Julia says in between our kiss and then finally backs away. I back up and let her get into her car. 

"I'll see you later, maybe?" I ask with a smirk.

"Hmm, Maybe....." Julia smiles and drives away.