Phoenix Rising I (18 page)

“Yes, fine, thank you,” Juliana answered, hoping she hadn’t been too obvious in her inspection of him. “I hope you don’t mind, but I cooked dinner for us. It felt like the thing to do. I mean, you did take me in and all.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Maverick said, “but I won’t complain. It smells great.”

“You make it sound like it was hard. You have a food simulator. Really, it was just pushing a few buttons. I did program some new codes into it, though. I hope you don’t mind.” Juliana smiled. It wasn’t the most graceful comment, but she didn’t care.

“Really?” He appeared surprised as he took off his belt and laid it over the back of the couch. “That’s wonderful. I’ve been meaning to get to that, but I don’t have any of the program codes. I was lucky to get hamburgers and chips in the thing. It’s been a good thing I’ve lived alone or my roommate would’ve gone crazy with the diet I have.”

Juliana smiled. It was as she suspected. He was single. “I was happy to do it. I’ll make a list of everything I put in, so you have it in the future.”

“Thank you.”

Juliana nodded. After years of running a household, it would only take her a few minutes to do and if it repaid even a part of the kindness he’d shown her, it was worth it. “Dinner is ready and I already have the table set. I hope you don’t mind. I found your china and put it out instead of the trays that the food simulator materializes.”

“No, that’s great. It’s good to see they’re getting some use.”

Juliana led the way to the kitchen. The table was small, but nice. She’d cleaned up after cooking, but his kitchen had been tidy otherwise.

“I’ve never been a roommate before,” she said, nervous to be alone with him. It was odd, she’d been alone with him earlier, but now seemed different. “If I step out of line or don’t do some roommate etiquette, please tell me. I don’t wish to be a burden. And I know that you’re only giving me a place to stay, and I’m not saying I’m a roommate, per se, so much as someone you’re letting stay here for a night or however long, but …”

His slightly amused expression stopped her.

“I’m rambling, aren’t I?” She gave a weak laugh. “Sorry.”

“You’re welcome to stay here and you’re welcome to anything I have. Don’t worry about it.”

Juliana smiled and nodded gratefully, but in the back of her mind, she thought of her little tension release in his bedroom earlier. The memory came with a great deal of guilt for having invaded his personal space.

“Shall we?” he asked, when she didn’t move.

Juliana blinked, realizing she was getting lost in thought again. She nodded. “Oh, yeah, um, I mean yes, thank you.”

She had materialized green leaf salad with bread cubes and an old family favorite recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. It wasn’t fancy, but it was good. While they ate, Maverick’s demeanor was laid back as he made easy conversation. He even pulled out a bottle of wine from his cupboard, pouring two glasses for them. They talked about his job, her lack of a job, their families, books and old Earth rock music. She never would have thought it when they first met, but they had a lot of the same interests.

Okay, who was she kidding? Since they first met, she’d been thinking of things other than what they would have in common.

“How you holding up?” he asked when dinner was about over. He’d untucked his uniform and unbuttoned the top button, showing his white undershirt.

Juliana shivered. Thinking about him all day, of seducing him, had been very arousing yet exhausting. Each time she looked at him, she wanted to crawl over the table and demand he make love to her right there. She knew it wasn’t love, but lust that had urged her to go to him. She wouldn’t be in the market for love for quite some time yet. He gave her a look of concern when she didn’t answer, the dimple showing in his cheek.

“I’m fine, really,” Juliana said, her voice a little hoarse. “Naturally, being thrown out of my house was a shock, but I’m not surprised. Jeff always was a bit of a solar head. As his wife, I taught myself to overlook his selfishness and other bad qualities. But, now that we’re not together, I’ve come to terms with it.” She gave a small laugh.

‘Did you live in the house long?”

“A few years, so it’s not like I was too terribly attached to it. I mean, I am because I decorated it and designed the yards and garden, but then I’m not because it’s only stuff. It’s hard to explain.”

“I think I understand.”

“This might sound horrible, but all day I’ve just had this sense of relief that it finally happened and that the first step is done. My marriage has been over for a long time.” Juliana sighed, feeling relaxed and incredibly grateful to have someone to talk to. She hadn’t realized how lonely she’d felt over the years. Maybe because it was a gradual decline into solitude. “Does that make me sound like a horrible person?”

“I think it makes you sound like an honest person.”

Juliana had friends but, since they were the wives of his associates, she couldn’t discuss her marriage or feelings with them. There had always been that image to maintain. She didn’t have family to call and any of the off planet friends she did have were no longer close to her and didn’t understand the lifestyle she led. To be truthful, she wasn’t sure she understood the lifestyle she’d led. It was like waking from a long dream to find she was right back where she started, only older and hopefully wiser.

“Jeff has started the comet rolling, so to speak. Being that he is a partner at his law firm, the divorce will be pushed through by the end of the week.” Juliana trembled. “It’s strange to say aloud.”

“I understand, really I do. But it will get easier.”

“If you don’t mind, I’m really tired of thinking about it. All I’ve done for the last five years is think about it.” She gave a half-hearted laugh, doing her best to keep the conversation light. “I’m just relieved that it’s finally happening. I’m scared because I don’t have any idea what I’m going to do with myself, but mostly just relieved that it’s going to be over.”

He didn’t answer, just listened patiently.

“Okay, I’m done talking about it for sure this time.” She shook her body in a dramatic shiver, as if she could throw everything off her soul and cheer up.

“All right,” Maverick stood and started clearing plates. “But just so you know. I think you’re handling this very well. You seem like a strong person and I’m sure you don’t deserve what’s happened to you today. And I know it’s hard to talk about, but know that I don’t mind listening if you do need to talk.”

A small tear came to her eye when he wasn’t looking. How could she ever repay such sweetness? What great deed had she done to deserve this cop, this man, showing up at her door with the restraining order? It could’ve been any number of officers, but it was him. Maverick. Her savior. Her friend.

Was it too soon to call him a friend? It didn’t feel like it. Not when she felt closer to him than she had to anyone in a long time. There was the unspoken undercurrent between them, a connection, an instant easiness and understanding that made it feel like she didn’t have to explain herself to be understood. The conversation just flowed and it was like they’d known each other for years instead of hours. There had even been a few times while they talked that they finished each other’s sentences. Surely that meant something. Or was she so desperate, so lonely, that she had imagined all this?

Juliana shook her head, pushing up from the table to help him clean up. No. She wouldn’t think like that. There was a connection between them. A strong, deep connection that had been there from the moment their eyes met.

They did the dishes together, their arms touching as he washed and she dried. The plates were a nice, antique china set she’d found in his cupboards. They’d been too pretty not to use. There was something cozy about being next to him, doing something so domestic and primitive like hand-washing dishes, but she was losing her nerve to seduce him--no matter how badly she wanted to. It had just been so long since she made the first move, she couldn’t remember how.

Maverick leaned against the counter and glanced down. His uniform shirt was wet from the dishwater. “I must’ve been busy today. I can’t believe I’m still in uniform. I usually take it off when I get home. Either that, or the smell of food distracted me.”

“It’s fine.” Juliana looked over the shirt. It was more than fine. He was more than fine. Her voice dipped. “I like the uniform. I bet you get a lot of dates with it.”

“Some.” His voice was a little hoarse and she saw his throat work as he swallowed. Their eyes met and she was sure she felt the sparks igniting between him. She unconsciously leaned forward, her head tilting as if she would welcome his kiss. He began to bend down, his face coming toward hers. She waited, breathless, her lips tingling for that first bit of contact. To her surprise, he pulled back. “I just got a new copy of an old Earth transmission. The movie was supposed to be something called a ‘cult classic’. I’m not sure what that means, but the guy who sold it to me said it had a huge following for years after it came out.”

“What’s it called?” she asked, curious.

“Ah, I can’t remember. The title was strange, but he said there’s singing, dancing and that it’s pretty scary. Could be interesting. Anyway, if you’re not too tired, would you like to watch it with me? I can’t promise it will be high-quality.”

“I’d like that,” she said, nodding. Maybe a transmission would take her mind off everything.

Moments later they were on the couch, a small distance between their bodies with the strangest Earth transmission they’d ever seen on the screen. But, despite the men dancing around in women’s lingerie and campy songs, neither one of them wanted to turn it off. Slowly, without Juliana knowing for sure who moved closer to whom, she found herself snuggled into his warm, strong side. His arm wrapped around her so she could feel each rise and fall of his chest, each subtle shift of his muscles when he moved. He didn’t make a move to touch her other than in comfort. Feeling protected and safe, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Three

Three days passed at Maverick’s house. He’d go to work, she’d stay at the house watching his transmissions and trying to figure out her next move. She programmed his cleaning droids to take care of the household functions and added more recipes to the food simulator like she’d promised, at least the ones she could remember off the top of her head.

It was relaxing, not having social duties to attend to. She did call one of her volunteer functions and excused herself from the responsibility. One of the other women on the charity was more than excited to take over her spot and practically hurried her off the phone like she’d change her mind and take the council seat back. Juliana felt bad letting the position go, but she needed her mind focused on putting her life back together. When news spread about her divorce, she’d probably be ‘nicely’ encouraged to step down anyway. It was depressing to think about so she chose not to dwell.

In the evening, she would have dinner ready for when Maverick arrived home. They’d eat and talk, about nothing and everything. Evenings with Maverick were the happiest part of her day. Then, after dinner was cleaned up, by hand each time, they’d move to the couch and watch one of his transmissions together. He would hold her, and each night, her body would ache even more for him. She tried to get up her nerve to kiss him, to take their cuddling one step further, but every time she held back. Maverick never made a move, always acting like a gentleman.

On the third day, Juliana answered a knock on the door only to find one of her husband’s law firm’s couriers. He mumbled something about her being incredibly hard to find as he handed her the divorce notice. She signed the clipboard, instantly getting verification that her divorce was finalized. It was over. Jeff was no longer her husband.

Just like that. Simple. Quick. Finished.

Juliana stared at the confirmation, the uninspired, emotionless words telling her she wasn’t legally married to Jeff anymore, but also reminding her that their assets still needed to be divided in an Assets Distribution Form or Hearing.

“Do you mind if I come in?” the courier asked.

Feeling a tad spiteful, she remained in the doorway, blocking his way as she read the clipboard he handed her and said, “No, you can stand right there.”

He huffed, but didn’t argue.

“It means that you are now divorced but in a legally recognized state of needing to separate assets,” the courier said. Juliana already knew what it meant, but she let him talk. “The court recognizes your divorce, but also that they need to end the ‘business of marriage’.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t like the old way of waiting months before a person got their freedom back. It was hard enough for most people to petition, but with Jeff’s connections, she was sure he had no problem. It didn’t matter anyway what the court thought about it. Her heart hadn’t been married to him for a long time. Seeing the words in front of her was actually a relief. She was done with Jeff. Well, besides the Assets Distribution.

“Think of it as a business closing its doors, but the inventory still being there,” the courier said, speaking down to her as if she were a child.

Juliana looked up from the board. “I assume you have another document for me to look at?”

“Yes,” the man lifted up another electronic clipboard. “This is the Assets Distribution Form. As you see, your ex-husband has already had it drawn up. If you just sign here and give me a thumbprint, it will all be over. No need to even go to court.”

“Hmm, I think I’ll read it first. I’ll call you when I’m ready to give my answer,” Juliana said, shutting the door on the condescending man. He gasped, clearly exasperated with her answer, but she refused to sign it and finalize the Assets Distribution without going over the document first. It was a good thing she did, because Jeff had tried to take everything.

“Greedy bastard,” she mumbled, eyeing the cleverly hidden clause surrounded by a ton of legal jumble. What Jeff seemed to have forgotten was that she’d helped him get into law school and had even done some of his homework for him when he got too frustrated, or lazy.