I had only been scheduled to close that Monday with Jules so we only saw each other in passing a couple of times during that week, but we were busy enough that she didn’t get much chance to pester me like she normally would. But when Friday rolled around and dinner rush had come and gone Jules made up for all the lost opportunities and lost time. As we were being cashed out she started in on me.
“I talked to Sam and Michelle this afternoon…” Jules said conversationally. “Sam wanted to know if you were bringing doughnuts again tomorrow morning.” She added as she leaned back against the wall beside the desk as she waited her turn to be tallied up and cashed out.
“Doughnuts? Is Sam going to be there too?” I asked turning to look at Jules to see if she was pulling my leg.
“As a matter of fact, yes Sam is going to be there. It’ll be me and you, Michelle, Sam and a couple of others I had working on another project. We only have this weekend before you and Michelle start classes and I won’t be able to get you two for much till first break or even spring for that matter. I’m already behind schedule on Maggie and Penny’s house so I wanted to get everyone on it this Saturday and get it painted. You are still going to help right?” She finished with a question. What she said made sense to me of course especially about classes starting next week. I did a quick count in my head of how many people were going to be on this paint job in the morning.
“So there’s going to be what? Eight or nine people there in the morning maybe?” I asked in a distracted voice… it wasn’t just the doughnuts I was thinking about but not having any time, alone, with Michelle. Damn! I must have made a face or something as that thought crossed my mind as it did not go unnoticed by Jules.
“Oh now don’t go and get all pouty on me now lover boy… it’ll be okay.” Jules teased me. “I’m sure you two will find time together… just not tomorrow morning… probably.” She added with a conspiratorial stage whisper. “Besides… someone will have to take the drop cloths down and put all the furniture back where it when we’re done and the paint has dried… like maybe next weekend…” She added in a softer voice with only a hint of facetiousness and a wink. Damn that girl! She knew how to get under my skin, make me squirm and then tease me with a little hope all in the same breath. I smiled at her and she looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was looking then gave me a quick hug. When she let go of me she grabbed my hat off of my head and ruffled my hair. “Starting at eight… don’t be late!” She giggled and headed out of the shop. I had to get going too if I wanted to get any sleep that night but before I left I wanted to call Michelle like I had been doing all week. We talked for a few minutes, both commiserating about how there were going to be so many people there tomorrow morning. Of course I teased her about having to share the custard filled doughnuts, which got me a raspberry in my ear over the phone. I told her I would get extra of those just for her. She must have relayed that to Sam because I heard Sam yell in the background. “Just get a bag of mixed doughnut holes! It’s cheaper and everyone likes them!” I told Michelle to tell Sam thank you, I would. I told her I had been dreaming about her both asleep and awake every day this week. I couldn’t wait to see her in the morning. We said our goodbyes and I drove home to the farm.
-To be continued-