Joel was as impressed by Julie's ability to field his jokes as he was by her appearance. He'd been able to tell almost immediately that she was smart, and this was just another demonstration of it. Few things made Joel lose interest more quickly than people who either missed his humor or lacked the wit to respond.
Truthfully, he'd been a bit worried that that particular joke might be on him. There was just enough difference in their ages that it might have given some people pause, but Julie didn't seem to mind.
As for Joel, well, sometimes Julie looked young enough to him that he felt a little like a dirty old man, but he told himself that that was just biology and socialization at work and not to be silly. Besides, he was surprised to find that he could accept and enjoy the feeling.
He asked Julie what she'd like to drink. "I personally don't think that wine goes well with Chinese food," he said. "But wine coolers do. Or I have softdrinks, sparkling water, even hard cider or hard lemonade."
"What do you feel like?"
Truthfully, he'd been a bit worried that that particular joke might be on him. There was just enough difference in their ages that it might have given some people pause, but Julie didn't seem to mind.
As for Joel, well, sometimes Julie looked young enough to him that he felt a little like a dirty old man, but he told himself that that was just biology and socialization at work and not to be silly. Besides, he was surprised to find that he could accept and enjoy the feeling.
He asked Julie what she'd like to drink. "I personally don't think that wine goes well with Chinese food," he said. "But wine coolers do. Or I have softdrinks, sparkling water, even hard cider or hard lemonade."
"What do you feel like?"