Temptation

Chapter 47

«Rendez un homme jaloux et il finira en prison.»
«Make a man Jealous, and he will end up in jail.»
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I jerked the menu off the table and scanned the choices: waffles Benedict, banana cream cheese stuffed French toast, baked chorizo Frittata... none of these was appealing to my eyes or made my mouth watery, was I even hungry? It was ten in the morning, and I already got a big breakfast: Lemon Ricotta Poppyseed pancakes. Julian's card was doing a big favor to my appetite.

"So, how are you?" I put the menu back on the table, paying my attention to my dearest friend I hadn't seen in a while.

"I am doing extraordinary, and you?" Chris responded without taking his eyes from the menu, his leg crossed on the side, his light brown sweater matching his pants. He has changed a little bit since the last time we talked face to face. His patchy beard grew, and he cut his brown hair shorter.

"Pfft! Great and great." I peeked at my new nude and long coffin acrylics nails. My hand was bored. "How's everything going?"

"Also marvelously great and on your part?"

"Perfect, perfect." I changed my sitting position, my foot playfully tapping the floor. "So, how were your days?"

"Xemina, you have something to tell me, so please go ahead." He still wasn't looking up.

"What? Me? Why would you think I have something to tell you?"I nervously laughed.

"You asked me the same question in three different formats, and when I returned the favor, you answered with double words. I don't believe you are suddenly interested in my Christian life. You are tapping your foot. You changed your sitting position for the fourth time, looked at the menu thrice without making a choice."

Damn it!

I sighed and flipped my hair off my shoulder. "Fine. I didn't know if I should be telling you, but you have been such a good friend and support to me. I think it wouldn't hurt for you to know."

"Julian and you are dating." He effortlessly lowered the menu and set it on the table.

Okay, what?

"How did you..."

"One of my main traits is that I like to observe, which is why I decided to use that trait to help other people to find the spirit of God. Back to you." He cleared his throat.

"Today, when I laid eyes on you. I noticed that you had changed. The old Xemina, always wrapped around with sadness, uncertainty, loneliness, anger, hopeless and so much more, is now replaced with this suddenly smiling, excited, full of life with no worries, and I just knew." He shrugged.

"Since the first day we talked, you were clearly attracted to him, but I decided not to tell anything and let you figure it out yourself. You were blinded by denial and hate. You put up a pretty good fight against your envy. It was a matter of time you succumbed. He hurt you a lot, and the truth is if it weren't for your feelings, you wouldn't go through all these emotions or let him in as you did. Secondly, you called me at four in the morning after you two had a heart-to-heart conversation. It was obvious, but again it wasn't my place to tell you that."

"So you just knew?"

"I am glad the hate and pain are over because there is no happiness and grace in negative emotions. As long you two are being careful and avoiding having sexual relationships."

Oh, not at all!

How could I avoid having sex with Julian? There was nothing about him that wasn't sexy except his left toe. He was susceptible and insecure about that nailless toe.