by Kim Cox

Julia White sat on the 747, listening to the elderly man go on and on endlessly about his ungrateful children. Well, anything to keep her mind off her own problems. When the man dozed off, she picked up her historical romance, and flipped to the page she’d been reading before the stranger interrupted her.

She’d left her home in New Mexico only an hour ago. Her agent said it was urgent that they meet in her New York pronto to discuss her new novel. The book was due to hit the shelves in six short months. Not again, she’d thought when Lisa Wolf called her. The new editor at Zara Publishing drove her nuts with all the revision requests. Anything to keep the publishers happy, Lisa kept drumming into her head.

After years of teaching Creative Writing at Santa Rosa University, and writing ten books of her own, she’d finally broken into the business herself. What a road that had been. Even though Zara accepted her sixth book for publication, she dreaded what lay ahead. A month ago her previous editor had resigned for a job as senior editor at a different house. Now, she faced this obnoxious editor.

Julia should’ve known better to make plans at a time like this. She could’ve been in paradise right now, lounging by the pool of her daughter, Yasmine’s new resort hotel, and playing with her grandchildren.

"You still reading that junk?"

Hearing a voice from behind, Julia turned to look over her right shoulder. "What? Oh it’s you." She gazed up speculatively into a familiar face.

"Yes, it’s me, your not yet ex-husband."

"Well, how have you been, Ed?"

"Care if I sit here?" He motioned to the aisle seat beside her.

"It’s a free world." She shrugged her shoulders. "It isn’t taken."

Edward White sat beside her smiling. "You’re looking good."

"Thanks. What do you want?"

He chuckled loudly. "Now, Julia, what could I possibly want?"

"If it’s money, forget it? I’m not lending you another cent."

Ed looked hurt. "In fact, I’m glad I ran into you. I’m doing pretty good now. I planned to mail you a check, but since you’ll be in New York, I can pay you back in person. Have dinner with me tonight?"

"I don’t know. I’m rather busy. I’ve got this new editor, and she wants revision after revision. My hero is too dark for romance, or this scene isn’t right. Same old, same old with her. I don’t even know the woman’s name yet. So far, the only correspondence I've had has been through her secretary to my agent."

"Oh? Must be infuriating working with someone like that. Well, if you find you have a moment to spare, call my secretary, Opal."

"That’s odd."

"What?"

"Opal, I think that’s the name of my editor’s secretary. The name sounds very familiar."

"Well, it’s a common name." His eyes said he was hiding something. Julia didn’t trust him, and she wasn’t ready to meet with him on an intimate level. Though a night out, free dinner and a friendly face in the big city didn’t sound bad.

"I tell you what, Ed. Let me check with Lisa, find out my schedule and I’ll give Opal that call."

The plane shook fiercely. "What was that?"

Probably, just a little turbulence. "You still afraid of flying?"

"Hush. I don’t want to think about it. Tell me about you. How did you come into so much money? Did you sell your book? What was the title? Oh yeah. The Mating Habits of the Alligator."

Another chuckle erupted from his throat. "No, no. I got a job sitting behind a desk, nine to five type thing. Nothing interesting, but it pays the bills, you know? I hear you’re doing well."

"Not bad. Finally quit teaching."

"That’s what I heard. How many books have you sold now?"

Ed seemed genuinely interested. Why now? After all those years of his abuse, putting her down for reading romance and even more when she decided to write it. He never supported her writing, telling her to write a real book.

"Six. This is my sixth book."

"That’s great. Julia, I want to apologize for being such a snob about your writing. I’ve enjoyed reading a few romances myself these last few years. I can’t begin to tell you how wrong I was about them."

"It’s a little late for that now."

"Is it? We aren’t divorced."

How’d he change the subject on her? She straightened her dress, ignoring his comment. Could he really think he could just waltz back into her life? Searching her mind, she found a different, neutral topic. "Kayla has really grown. Have you seen her lately?"

"Yes, yes. I stopped by Yasmine’s before flying back to New York from Texas. Kayla is some little lady, but feisty like her grandma."

With a balled fist, Julia gave him a playful tap on his upper arm. The seat belt light came on, and the steward came over the speaker, announcing they were landing. At the JFK airport, Ed accompanied Julia to baggage claims and they separated outside. Lisa met Julia with the company limo and Ed took a cab.

"Girl, you made it." Lisa poured her a cup of tea. "Sorry to have to drag you up here on such short notice. I stood up for you though. Well, kind of."

"What do you mean?"

"I called to insist we talk to the high and mighty editor in person, but he wants to meet you anyway. They beat me to it."

"He? I thought . . . Never mind. And?"

"We have an appointment for tomorrow morning, nine sharp."

Dread washed over Julia. She looked at Lisa with concern. "What is it this time?"

"They didn’t say. Just that it’s important you meet with them."

Julia massaged her forehead. "They probably want me to tone down my hero’s dark side again. Don’t they know the book is a Romantic Suspense? The hero is a Pathologist who solves crimes. Next they’ll want to cut the morgue scenes out completely. Why don’t I just start writing comedy?

"Not a bad idea." Julia gave her a serious glare. "Just kidding. Your historicals are selling like hot cakes. This is just a different kind of book from your usual stuff."

Julia checked into the Waldorf, unpacked and took a nap. She hadn't had time to call Opal, so she'd thought she would just eat a light dinner in her room after her nap. The phone rang. "Ed, yes, dinner at seven. I’ll be there."

Showering and dressing in her best dress, her heart pounded. Ed still had that charismatic aura surrounding him, and his white hair only made him look sexier. Distinguished. Working out at the gym hadn’t hurt him any either. Darn, why’d he look so good after all these years.

Ed was waiting at the bar, dressed in an Italian suit. He must be doing better financially. Standing, he took her hand, and lead her to a stool beside his. "Would you like a drink? Our table is almost ready."

"Yes. Just a little scotch on the rocks will be fine." Julia sipped her drink. It helped. She couldn’t believe she felt as nervous as a school girl on her first date.

He turned to her, took her hand in his and said, "Julia, the reason I wanted to see you tonight is because I have a confession to make."

"What is it, Ed?"

"About your writing. I’m sorry I didn’t stand by you as I should’ve."

"That’s water under the bridge now."

"Let me finish. I want you to know why."

"Yes."

"It was jealousy. You always wrote better than I did and my pride wouldn’t let me admit it even to myself. I knew you’d do well. When I realized I wouldn’t, I couldn’t take it. So many years wasted." His head dropped.

Raising his head, he took a sip of his drink. Julia recognized the sadness of a life lost in his eyes. Realizing how she would feel if her writing had gone no where after all the sweat and tears, her heart went out to him. "I’m sorry you didn’t make it, Ed. You write really well."

"No need to flatter me. I know I can’t hold a candle to you. But I have my priorities straight now and I’m hoping . . . "

Waiting, he didn’t finish.. "What, Ed?"

"Julia, I still love you." He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it. "I’d like us to try again."

Heat crept up her neck. Sprinkles of moisture beaded her nose. Shock didn’t begin to describe her emotions. Hadn’t she dreamed of this moment for years, Edward White crawling back to her on his hands and knees begging for another chance. He wasn’t crawling and he wasn’t on his hands and knees, but here he was asking the question she’d been waiting for since the day he’d left.

"Julia?"

"Oh, I’m sorry. I must have been lost in my own thoughts."

"Thinking of the past? That’s all I do, sometimes with happiness reminiscing the good times. And then other times of regret, remembering the times I badgered you just to keep you from working on your books."

She looked at him tenderly. "Like I said, that’s the past." But what else could she say? Did she really want to start over with him? Yes, she still loved him and she always would. For five years, she’d tried to forget him and couldn’t. That’s why she’d never signed the divorce papers. Paying a lawyer and having them drawn up was as far as she went.

"So? What do you think? Could we give it the old college try?"

"Ed, that’s not a decision I can make in a few minutes."

"Well think on it, okay?"

"I promise I’ll do that."

Their table was ready. After eating, they danced in the ball room and had the time of their lives. Another good time to add to the twenty years they’d had before their breakup. During a slow dance, Julia’s heart pounded so loudly she was afraid Ed could hear it too. She pulled away, calling the evening to a close. Her morning appointment would come early. Ed walked her to her hotel down the street from the restaurant.

At her door, he looked as if there was something else he wanted to say. "Ed? What are you thinking?"

"Oh, just about the wonderful time we had this evening. I want to kiss you but I’m afraid you might take off my head. But what the heck!" He pulled her into his arms, laying a heated kiss on her lips, exploring her mouth with his own.

The kiss left her reeling as she backed away from him. Her hand felt for the doorknob. Opening it, she escaped to her own room and locked the door quickly behind her.

Julia dreamed of the comfort she found in his arms, and not of their past, but of the future. She awakened with a jerk, jumped from her bed, looked at the clock and ran for the bathroom. Her alarm hadn’t gone off and she had ten minutes to get ready. Lisa was picking her up in fifteen minutes.

She and Lisa sat in the lobby of the new editor’s office. Strangely, her editor’s name was Mr. Edward White. For a moment Julia wondered if it was her Ed, but thought better of it. Not Ed’s style. And there had to be a million Edward Whites in the world, such a common name.

Finally, Opal said, "Mr. White can see you now."

When Julia walked in, her mouth dropped. "It is you!" She turned to Lisa. "Did you know about this?"

"H-huh?" Lisa asked. "What do you mean?"

"Did you know the obnoxious editor we’ve been dealing with was my ex-husband?"

"Julia, let me explain." Ed motioned for her to sit but Julia pivoted on her heel and opened the door to leave. Ed circled his desk, running, grabbed her arm and turned her around. He shut the door and pulled her back toward his desk. "Ms. Wolf, please have a seat." He motioned to a chair. "Julia and I should talk first."

Leading her out of the room into an adjoining office, he turned to her. "Look, this is business. It has nothing to do with us."

"No? Then why didn’t you tell me?"

"Fear. I didn’t want you to think I asked you for all these revisions because of our past."

Julia folded her arms across her chest. "Well, didn’t you?"

"No, I didn’t. You’re a very good writer, but I know you can do better. However, I have realized it’s hard for me to be objective about you. Especially after the plane ride yesterday and then last night."

"Edward White, of all the unadulterated nerve. You expect me to believe you didn’t ask for those revisions to get back at me or because you’re not still jealous that I’m published and you aren’t?

Ed took her elbows in his hands, pulling her to him. Julia didn’t loosen her arms, but held them tight around her.

"I’m still new at the job and I’m not the one who required all those changes. The senior editor, Geraldine Yearly did that. This morning I went to Geraldine and told her about us. I resigned from being your editor, and she’s lining you up with someone else as we speak."

"How can I believe you?" she asked with one brow cocked upward. Her foot tapped on the carpet soundlessly.

Ed reached over and unfolded her arms. He pulled her to his chest and brushed her blonde hair with his hand. "I know I’ve done many things to hurt your career, but like you said last night, that was in the past. I’m no longer that spoiled brat, Julia." He pulled her head from his shoulder, gazing into her tearful eyes. "I love you more than ever."

Julia rolled out of his arms, clutched the door knob and said, "Maybe it’s not as far in the past as I thought." She left him.

"Let’s get out of here, Lisa." A lone tear escaped the corner of her eye. Then she heard her name followed by the office giggles.

Ed was on his knees, just like he was in her dreams. "Please, give me another chance. Forgive me."

Heat crept up Julia’s cheeks. "Ed, please don’t do this. Not here and not now." She walked over to him, made him get up and ushered him away from watchful eyes. "I’ve got to think all this over and I can’t do it here."

"Can I call you?"

"Yes. Call me," she agreed with a cool nod and escaped his disturbing presence before she changed her mind.

Telling Lisa she’d call her later, she grabbed her own cab and relished in the solitude. While hundreds of thoughts ran rapidly through her mind, she weighed the pros and cons of a reconciliation with Ed. Five years alone, wanting, but not having him, and too stubborn to admit it to anyone. It wasn’t too much to give up. But could she trust him? The cab stopped, and she entered the Waldorf Hotel.

On the elevator, she pressed the floor nine button as her mind continued to turn over and over the events of the last couple of days. She heeded them against those from the past. The old Ed, the one she’d fallen in love with, was he really the man she’d eaten dinner and danced with last night? Was it too good to be true? Would his other side resurface?

Her head began to ache and she decided she’d grab a bite to eat, take a shower and collapse into sleep for a while. Unlocking the door with her key card, she turned the knob and pushed it open. A sweet scent filled her nostrils. Wall-to-wall roses of every color imaginable covered the plush carpet, leaving not much room to walk. A box of chocolate candy and a card lay on her dresser.

Tears dampened her cheeks as she read the card. Meet me in the lobby at seven for a night on the town.

At seven sharp, Ed was waiting in the lobby when she stepped off the elevator. When she reached him, he bent at the waist and kissed her hand. "Madame, your chariot awaits."

Chills nipped at the back of her neck as he led her out the door. Her eyes widened at the sight. Two magnificent, white horses attached to a covered buggy waited on the street and Ed walked her straight to it.

"You shouldn’t have. The cost--"

"I wanted to. I’ll prove to you I’ve changed if it takes all the money I have."

In the buggy, Ed picked up a red rose, wrist corsage from the seat. "Your wrist," he said, holding out his hand.

She placed her wrist in his large, strong hand. Wrapping his fingers around her arm, he made slows circles, setting her skin on fire, and then, he kissed the palm of her hand.

They rode aimlessly about, absorbing the city and the large buildings illuminated against a star-studded sky. They ate hot dogs from a sidewalk vendor. When the air became chilled, Ed draped his coat around her shoulders and pulled her into his arms. What a wonderful evening. This was something Julia could become accustomed to and she reveled in all the attention.

His lips nibbled at hers. The warmth erupted in the bottom of her belly, spreading upward, filling her heart and she responded to him. The kiss deepened and she wondered if it was the Fourth of July, because she could swear she heard fireworks. This is where she wanted to be for the rest of her life, in his arms. But she’d tell him later, she thought as she snuggled deeper into his shoulder and awaited the next kiss.

THE END!!!

(c) by Kim Cox -- no portion can be copied or reproduced without permission of the owner.