Originally this started off as a scene in the Lawson story I've been posting, but then it took on a life of it's own !
This is set approx 6 months after Grace's death or basically however long you think Josh can last without 'physical intimacy' !!

Josh has been spending all of his spare time getting seriously into exercise as a way of coping with Grace's death. He still visits her grave but it's become a ritual that he realises doesn't really bring him any closer to her and it frustrates him that her memory is becoming distant. He has no personal photos of her, he can't believe they didn't take a photo together, too busy doing other things....... So he's been spending his time at the gym pumping weights, running along the beach, bike riding, even a bit of watersports... Anything to occupy his time and keep himself busy. He completely avoids girls at the pub when he and his mates go for a drink, especially blondes, they haven't a chance of striking up a conversation with him. He doesn't care if he appears rude, he just gets up and leaves, he can't handle the sight of brown eyes and blonde hair.

But how long can a red-blooded male go without ?

Josh was starting to ask himself this question. He absolutely did not want a girlfriend, a relationship. He didn't want to go on an arranged date, all those girls wanted was marriage and babies, if not now then sooner or later and none of them was Grace. He didn't want them to replace Grace either.

Lawson had tried to gently nudge him towards the idea of dating but Josh quickly shut him up by saying "no-one will replace Grace and I like it that way"
Lawson: "but what about the old Josh ? the breaking hearts, love 'em and leave 'em moments later Josh ?"
Josh; "yeah, well I guess it's a possibility..." Josh wondered if it was being unfaithful to Grace if he indulged in some casual s e x but it wasn't indulgence , it was starting to feel like necessity !
Seeing the sexual tension between Lawson and Cate wasn't helping either. Usually he wouldn't care that much but the loss of Grace had changed his attitude.

One day at Josh's local cafe

Working the afternoon shift. He always hated that, got to fill in the morning with an extended exercise regime. He's done the morning jog, went home, cooled off in the shower, walked around the apartment with the towel wrapped around his waist, looking at the view, thinking of Grace, what he would be doing if she was here.....
( I am sure that you can add much more to this scenario without me providing details but the focus of my story is not Josh in the shower or half-dressed in the apartment so lets move on ! )

Now he finds himself at the local cafe ordering coffee with the newspaper under his arm.
There's a new girl at the cafe. She takes a good look at him as he comes in, chooses a table and sits down. He's looking great with all this extra exercise. She thinks that he must be a professional sportsplayer, but she knows his name already.
"Brendan" she says as she arrives at his table to take his order.
Josh looks like he's been slapped in the face, confused, stunned. In a split second he thinks "is it mum ?" then he looks up at her and stammers; "Josh actually, my name's Josh"
She smiles "No, it's Brendan Joshua isn't it ?"
He's very puzzled.
She laughs. " I knew you wouldn't recognise me, no-one does anymore. My name's Sophie Miller"
Josh; "Sophie ? from high school ?"
Sophie; "yes, of course......why aren't you Brendan anymore ?"
Josh is rather stunned, his day has been turned upside down. Sophie Miller was chubby with pimples and a quiet wallflower. This girl is confident, cheeky and cute.
Josh; "uh....well, I made a new start when I moved to Melbourne you know...."
He wonders if she knows about his brother, probably not. He couldn't stand being called Brendan anymore, even now when someone says it he thinks it's his mother, or worse still...........Gavin calling out to him. He never wants to be called by that name again.

Sophie is still standing there ( this coffee is going to take a while ! ) The cafe is quiet mid-morning.
Sophie; "do you have the day off ? Sorry to ask so many questions but you look really fit, are you an AFL player or something ?"
Josh laughs, "no" he says, "I'm working this afternoon, I fill in the mornings with a bit of exercise"
Sophie notices that he still hasn't answered her question ( about his job )
She asks again; "so what is it you do in the afternoon ?"
Josh; "oh, I'm a cop, a Sergeant with tactical response..."
She's impressed and immediately wonders what he would look like in a uniform.
Sophie; "wow, I hadn't expected that !"
Josh; "so do you think I can get my coffee ?"
Sophie; "oh yes, sorry, I'll get it straightaway" and she rushes off.
Josh enjoyed talking to her but now he's annoyed that his little routine has been disrupted and it's difficult to remain anonymous and read the paper knowing that she's there.

He doesn't stay as long as usual but politely says goodbye to her in a friendly tone. After he leaves he realises that he still hasn't asked her what she does other than work in the cafe, probably part-time. She might be a student....... He still can't believe how good she looked, damn it he says to himself, think of Gracie, don't forget her.....
He'll remember to ask Sophie more questions next time.