The End of Beginning

That evening, Julia sat curled up on her couch, legs tucked beneath her, staring blankly at the TV. The Office played in the background, but she wasn't paying attention. Her thoughts were too loud.

Joe was single now. But he's leaving for four months.

She exhaled, rubbing her temples. As much as she wanted to call Chloe immediately and spill everything, she knew she needed to sit with her feelings first. She needed to process this alone.

There was something overwhelming about it all—the way he had looked at her across the table, the way he had admitted to ending his relationship, the way he still wanted to keep talking even while he was gone.

Did she want that?

She sighed and pushed herself off the couch, heading to the kitchen. She needed to clear her mind.

For the next hour, she distracted herself with mundane tasks—washing dishes, tidying up, watering the plants she always forgot about. But no matter how much she tried to focus on the little things, Joe kept creeping back into her thoughts.

By the time she finally crawled into bed, exhaustion hit her hard, but sleep didn't come easily.

The next morning, Julia leaned against the bookstore counter, phone pressed to her ear.

"So let me get this straight," Chloe said, excitement practically dripping from her voice. "Joe basically broke up with his girlfriend for you. He wants to keep talking to you even though he's leaving for months. AND before he goes, he wants to see you one last time?"

Julia sighed, rubbing her forehead, knowing Chloe was exaggerating a bit. "Yes."

Chloe let out a triumphant laugh. "Jules. He's so into you. This makes so much sense now. No wonder he was acting like that at the show!"

Julia swallowed, heart fluttering despite herself. "Maybe. But what am I supposed to do with that?"

Chloe huffed. "Uh, explore it? See where it goes?"

Julia hesitated. "It's just... long distance relationships aren't easy, Chloe. And it's not like I was planning on getting involved with someone who's gone for months at a time."

Chloe was quiet for a moment before speaking, her tone softer. "I get that. But the online pool of men obviously hasn't been working for you lately. And the way you're talking about it... it kinda sounds like you want to see where this goes."

Julia exhaled. "I don't know... Maybe I do."

Chloe made a small squeaking noise. "I knew it!"

Julia rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Don't get too excited. I have no idea what's going to happen. I just—" She hesitated, searching for the right words. "I guess I don't want to shut it down before I even give it a chance."

Chloe hummed in approval. "That's all I'm saying. Just see what happens."

Julia glanced at the clock. "I should get back to work. Thanks for the pep talk."

"Anytime," Chloe said. "Oh, and text me immediately after you see him again."

Julia laughed. "Yeah, yeah."

That afternoon, as Julia restocked a display table, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

JOE: It was really nice spending time with you again.

A warmth spread through her as she quickly typed a response.

JULIA: Yeah, it was good to hang out a bit more.

A moment later, another message appeared.

JOE: I was wondering... any chance you'd want to grab lunch tomorrow? One last time before I head out?

Julia bit her lip, her stomach flipping.

JULIA: I have to close the store tomorrow, so I don't think I can.

His response came almost immediately.

JOE: That's perfect. I'll bring food and meet you there. How does 11 sound?

Julia stared at the screen, her pulse picking up. He didn't give her much of a choice, but she wasn't complaining.

One last lunch.

She exhaled, shaking her head at herself before replying.

JULIA: Alright, fine. See you tomorrow.

As she put her phone away, she felt it—flutters of anxiety and excitement mixing in her stomach.

Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.