Page 26 of September (New Orleans #9)

“It was fucking delicious, so you are forever my coffee dealer now.”

“Go pee,” Juliet said through her laughter. “Give me the cookie.”

Gwen handed Juliet back the bag and rushed off toward what looked like a small building with just bathrooms and a drinking fountain between them in the corner of the grass lot.

Juliet focused on Carly and Buster, who were still playing, and noticed that there were only three other dogs in the park right now.

One was playing with his owner, and the other two were playing with each other and a stick.

“Okay. I’ll give it a six out of ten. It was a five last time. They get the six because there was actually toilet paper.”

“What?” Juliet asked when Gwen appeared at her side.

“I rate bathrooms. It’s a thing I do.”

“You rate them?”

“Yes, out of ten.”

“And how does a bathroom get a ten out of ten?”

“Well, cleanliness is worth a lot of points. Toilet paper in each stall is worth one. Paper towels or working hand dryers are worth another. Actual soap to wash my hands is key, but it’s the coat hangers or bag holders on the inside of the stall doors that can really take it over the edge.

If they have those, that’s worth two points. ”

“Whoa! A whole two points?” Juliet teased.

“That’s twenty percent of the grade. Very important.”

“You don’t even have a coat or a bag,” Juliet noted.

“Not now, but I might in the future, and I have in the past,” Gwen argued.

“You’re very strange,” she said as she laughed.

“I am?”

“Yes. But I like it,” Juliet replied and handed Gwen the bag with the cookie in it.

“Want to split it?” Gwen offered.

“No, thanks. I’ve had two this week already. My midday snack when I couldn’t get away.”

“And you had burgers two nights in a row.”

“Well, the only decent place in that town had burgers, and I was advised by the store employees not to get the soup and salad combo, so the burger seemed like the best option. It was really good, which was why I had it twice.”

“Yeah, but that can’t be healthy. I mean, I assume you’re standing and walking all day at work, but driving a bunch and then staying in the hotels at night and eating–”

“Yes, I know. Believe me, it’s not part of my long-term plan. I used to complain about cooking all the time, and now, I’m complaining about eating fast food all the time.”

“Grass is always greener,” Gwen said.

“Yeah,” Juliet replied.

“Do you cook?”

“Kind of.”

“You kind of cook? How does that work?” Gwen asked.

“Well, I had one of those meal subscription services. I had to learn to cook for one again after my ex left, so I got a service that delivered five meals a week. I cooked those, but it doesn’t really count because they have recipes and pre-portioned ingredients.”

“Did you put them on the stove or in an oven?”

“Yes.”

“Then, you cooked.”

“I guess so,” Juliet said with a little laugh. “It was pretty good.”

“You canceled it?”

“For now, at least. I won’t be home to eat it, so I’d be wasting food and money. I do have to figure out how to eat healthier on the road, though. Maybe when I drive, I can pack a cooler or something and pay for a room with a mini fridge.”

“That could work. And you could grocery shop when you get there, too.”

“I don’t know where I’d find the energy.

I’m up at five or five-thirty at the latest, depending on how close the hotel is to the store I’m training, and I’m working until lunchtime and grabbing something we sell or something else that’s fast. Then, it’s more work until at least five; sometimes, six.

After that, I pick up something quick on the way back to the hotel, and, well, I eat it while I talk to you, apparently. ” She smiled over at Gwen.

“Yeah? We can keep doing that?” Gwen asked as she smiled back.

“If you want. But we don’t have to every night. I’m sure you’ll be busy sometimes with your friends and family.”

“My family is annoying, other than Elisa and her twins, but they’re at school now, and Elisa has Myra. She’s been nice enough to include me still when, I’m sure, she’d just rather be alone with Myra all the time, and I don’t like to impose.”

“I think Elisa loves you like a sister and wants to hang out with you, Gwen. I don’t think she feels like she has to include you or wants to be alone with Myra instead when she’s inviting you over.”

“Maybe,” Gwen said.

“What about other things?”

“Other things?”

“Yeah,” Juliet said and then cleared her throat. “Like… dates and stuff. I mean, you’re single and obviously gorgeous and funny, so a lot of women probably want to date you.”

Gwen turned to her and asked, “Women want to date me?”

“Yes,” Juliet said, turning toward her, too.

“Well, I don’t want to date them.”

“Did you turn straight suddenly somehow?”

“No.” Gwen chuckled. “I just meant that I don’t want to date women . I want to date a woman .”

“So, you’re a one-woman woman?”

“I am, yes. Haven’t been in a while, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently.”

“Recently?” Juliet smiled at her. “Any reason why?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Gwen teased her. “It just hit me that I might want to start dating again.”

“I see.” Juliet took a step toward her. “And do you have any thoughts on the type of woman you might want to date?”

“Oh, a lot of thoughts,” Gwen replied and took a step toward Juliet.

“For one, she has to have blonde hair, preferably with a few waves in it.” Gwen tilted her head to take in Juliet’s wavy blonde hair.

“I think green eyes are a must, but it’s tricky because they’re so rare, so I don’t know where I’ll be able to find them.

Also, she has to have a dog. I don’t know if you know this, but I love animals.

I love taking care of them and making them happy.

I think I’d prefer it if her dog was of the all-white variety and maybe a little hyper at times.

” Gwen turned to look at Carly and Buster, who were lying next to each other in the grass, panting.

“I’d love it if she knows how to cook because I’m pretty bad at that, but I don’t think I’d want her spending hours upon hours in the kitchen, so if she cooks with recipes and some help, like say with a kit of some kind, that would be the best compromise.

Oh, I almost forgot: she has to be a coffee fan.

I mean, a big fan, who knows just how to make the perfect cup of coffee every time. ”

“Do you know that I work at a coffee company?” Juliet asked, pointing at herself with a smile.

“What? You do? I had no idea,” Gwen joked.

“I’m also blonde, got those waves you’ve requested, and I happen to have green eyes.”

“I know. I’ve noticed,” Gwen said, taking another step closer to her and moving a strand of Juliet’s hair behind her ear. “You’re beautiful.”

“Do you want to go out with me tonight?” Juliet asked.

“I’d love to go out with you tonight,” Gwen replied.

“Yeah?”

“Are you sure you’re not too tired for it? You’ve driven all day, and I know you–”

“I’m not too tired,” Juliet interrupted. “I’ve been wanting to ask you out pretty much since we met, but definitely since the bar. I just didn’t know if I should since you’re taking care of Carly, and I don’t even know when I’ll be home.”

“Why don’t we start with a date tonight and see how it goes? Can I make one request, though?”

“Sure. What?”

“No Carly,” Gwen said, taking one of Juliet’s hands in her own and entwining their fingers. “Just you and me this time. Dinner somewhere and whatever after, but no dog talk or work schedule talk.”

“Deal,” she replied, smiling down at their linked hands. “Can we go get the dogs now? Because I need to get home soon and shower so that I can get ready for a date with this really pretty girl I know.”

Gwen laughed and said, “Yeah, let’s get the lovebirds over there.”