A/N: I know it's been a while. I was just having some trouble deciding where I wanted the story to go. I wrote and rewrote this chapter a couple of times. Keep the reviews coming!
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 7: Act Your Age
"I'll take two of the fish special," Julie said walking into the kitchen. They had a new cook, Blake. He smiled at her. "Please?" She asked.
"Anything for you Julie," he said. "What are you doing after work tonight?" She laughed. He asked her out every other day.
"Going home and tucking my kid in," she said, "then watching American Idol."
"I think you should go out dancing with all of us," he said. "And save a couple for me."
"The last time I went dancing was prom night," she said. "Thanks for the offer though."
"Sara," another one of the waitresses walked over and Blake directed his attention to her. "Talk Julie into coming with us tonight."
"I told you," Sara shook her head. "When you meet Tyler, you'll understand. You wouldn't ever want to leave that little boy either. He's precious."
"Thanks Sara," Julie said. "The fish?"
"Here," he said. "Take your fish, seasoned with salt from my tears over you." Julie laughed and took the two dishes. "She really doesn't date?"
"Nope," Sara said. "I think she slept with her roommate like three months ago, so she's good for a while. Julie's like a sex camel. Although it's not like when she was living in the one bedroom anymore. It's hard to have a love life when you sleep in the same room as your kid."
"That would be difficult," Blake nodded. "I just feel bad for her."
"Don't let her know it," she said. "She hates pity more than anything." Sara walked outside and Julie passed her. "You should come out with us Jules. Blake's really into you. Plus wouldn't Charlie watch Ty?"
"I hate asking Charlie to babysit at the last minute," Julie shook her head. "Maybe some other time."
"You still get to be young, Julie Gaffney," Sara said. "Remember that."
Julie walked into the apartment after her shift and collapsed on the couch next to Charlie.
"Long day?" He asked as she put her feet up and he started rubbing them.
"You have no idea," she said. "Where's Tyler?"
"He was pooped," Charlie shrugged, "he went to bed early." She nodded, feeling a million miles away.
"Oh," she bit her bottom lip. "So then, would you mind doing me a favor?" He looked at her. "Some people from work are going out, and I really want to go, but I didn't want to stick you with Ty, but since he's already asleep."
"Sure," he said, "go, have fun." She kissed him gently.
"You're the best!" She walked into her bedroom and got changed into a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top that she'd bought a year ago and never gotten a chance to wear. She walked outside.
"Check you out," Charlie whistled. "You look hot."
"Thanks," she said. "I won't be late. I really appreciate it. I haven't gotten the chance to act my age in a while." Charlie laughed.
"So you're going to drink tequila shots and make out with guys you've never met before?" He teased. "That's what you're dressed for." She looked at him and then hit him on the head. "Not everyone our age does the partying thing you know."
"I know," she said, seeing the look in his eyes. "But the people I work with do. Don't wait up."
Julie sat at the table at a bar that everyone had gotten. She stirred her drink with her finger and then Blake sat down next to her.
"You really don't want to be here do you?" He yelled over the music.
"What was your first clue?" She asked.
"I was under the impression that hot single mom's were totally into the clubbing scene," he smirked. She looked at him. "Sorry. How old is your kid?"
"He's five," she said, "almost six." He nodded. "You think I'm hot."
"Ah, she changes the subject," he laughed. "Yes, I do happen to think you're hot. Have you noticed I haven't sexually harassed anyone else in that kitchen?" She laughed. "I'd like to see you outside of the work place some time."
"I don't date," she said. "Did Sara mention that?"
"She did," Blake nodded. "Who said anything about dating? I kind of just want to see you naked." She stared at him. "You don't ever just have fun?"
"Sex has never been much fun for me," she said. That was a lie. Sex with Scooter had been fun in high school and that night with Charlie had been really fun.
"So what's Julie Gaffney's idea of fun then?" He asked, sipping his drink. "If not sex."
"Coming home from work and making dinner with my roommate and my kid," she said. "Any time I spend with my kid really. Do you want to see a picture?" She went into her purse. "That's him."
"Cute," he nodded. "Is the guy his father?" Julie looked at it and laughed.
"Oh, no," she said, "that's Charlie, my roommate."
"Oh," he nodded. "So he's just your roommate?"
"And my friend," she said. "We've known each other since high school."
"It sounds like he's your boyfriend," he shrugged.
"He's not," Julie said. "I mean we slept together once, but that was totally not," she swallowed, realizing she was talking too much. "He's not. I don't have a boyfriend." He nodded moving closer to her.
"Good to know," he said softly and moved one hand to her thigh. She chewed on her bottom lip. Maybe she should have said that Charlie was her boyfriend. Had she been flirting? She didn't even know what flirting was anymore! How pathetic was that? She wasn't surprised when Blake kissed her, but she was surprised that she liked it. They kissed for a while and he slid his hand up her shirt, she whimpered and pulled back. "What's wrong?" He asked softly.
"Nothing," she said. "I think that I need another drink." He laughed and kissed her.
"Let me get it," he said. She looked at him and smiled and they kissed again.
"Maybe we could get it at your place," she whispered. He grinned and kissed her.
"I think that's an excellent idea," he stood up.
After they'd had sex, Julie rolled over and sat up to get dressed.
"What are you rushing out for?" He said sitting up and kissing her neck. "Mm, so soft," he whispered, also running his hands onto her waist.
"It's late," she said simply, as his kisses trailed down to her shoulder. "I really have to get going."
"So what if it's late?" He asked. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"I fall asleep," she kissed him. He nodded. "My kid wakes up in the morning, I'm not there, he tells his father, his father decides I'm an unfit parent and thirty thousand dollars in legal fees later my son is being raised by my ex's ice bitch wife and calling her 'Mommy.'"
"Oh," he said pulling back. Julie laughed in spite of herself. Guys never found the thought of Tyler, or her responsibilities to him arousing. She'd hoped Blake would be different since he'd known her situation up front. But clearly, he was not.
"I had a good time," she said and kissed him. "I'll see you at work."
"Julie," he said. "I really like you." She smiled.
"I really like you too," she said. "But my life isn't that simple. If you can't see yourself dealing with it, then I need to know now." He nodded. "So, no pressure, and I'll see you at work." They kissed again and she left.
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