For Old-Times Sake [Open to one male]

[temptationsx]

And does she know,
Know about the times you used to hold me?
Wrapped me in your arms and how you told me
I'd be the only one?

I heard about,
Yeah, someone told me once when you were out,
She went a little crazy, ran her mouth about me.
Ain't jealousy funny?

Julie sang along to the all-too-true words of the song that she had on repeat for nearly the past month. It had been that long ago that she and her boyfriend suffered an unexpected break up, different from all the others they had been through. The arguing had gotten far too out of hand, past the point of no return. Nearly two weeks later, he had found himself another love interest and left Julie with nothing but heartbreak. At this point, she knew the thought of getting back together was a hopeless cause.

Slamming her hand against the car radio, Julie managed to turn off the song that she knew she really had to stop listening to. Fuck him. She thought to herself, unaware of her reckless driving through the zig-zagging lanes of the college campus' parking lot. Finding a spot was impossible, and her anger just made her even more impatient. Giving up and settling with a spot a considerable walk from the main building, Julie shoved her belongings into the back pack and made her way along.

"Hey." Julie gave a monotonous greeting to her friend as she slumped into the chair across from her at the table in the student common area. She wasn't in the mood for further conversation, so she was thankful that her friend was willing to leave it at that; her foul attitude was certainly apparent.

Sitting back in her chair, twirling a strand of her long blonde hair between her fingers, Julie's gaze scanned the large area of the room. It took only a few seconds for for her eyes to catch a familiar pair, causing her to suck in a quick breath and look away just as quickly as the moment occurred. "Shit.." She whispered under her breath, barely loud enough for even her friend across the table to hear. Without a second thought, Julie forced herself to look again, and there he was: her ex-boyfriend of almost two years, sitting at a far-off table, hand-in-hand with the girl that had taken everything from her.

 

[temptationsx]

Bump.

 

[temptationsx]

Bumpbumpbump!

 

[temptationsx]

Any takers?

 

[temptationsx]

Bumpity bump.

 

[temptationsx]

Still available!

 

[temptationsx]

Bump.

 

[garajd]

Jared Swanson, 41, first year instructor in the School of Business, took a short cut thru the Commons on the way to his office. "Hey, Julie, how's it going?" His family had been long-time friends of her family, and despite their age difference, the two of them had been friends for as long as he could remember.

Getting a glance from her friend that says, "Take it easy, she's in a foul mood," I sit down for a moment . . . "I don't have to be in my office for a little while; something we can talk about?"

 

[temptationsx]

Against her will, Julie's exchanged multiple glances with both her ex and the girl sitting beside him; no doubt she was their topic of conversation. Shaking her head, the blonde dropped her gaze to her lap, picking at a loose thread at the hem of her t-shirt.

She barely paid mind to the familiar voice that sounded beside her until she could sense him taking a seat at the table. She made a slightly successful attempt at composing herself, knowing that the man now seated beside her was a good friend of her parent's, and in turn, her whole family, she wasn't about to make a completely fool out of herself. Julie forced a half-ass smile as she looked his way. "Oh, uhm, no Jared, that's alright. Just one of those days." She chuckled softly to try and make light of the situation. She wasn't quite ready to spill her heart out to even her closest friends, let alone a man she had known for quite some time who was nearly twice her age.

 

[garajd]

Reaching over and placing my hand on top of yours, "Julie, you can talk to me anytime . . . it's not something that I am going to run to both of our families and spill your personal business."

"I'm sure now is probably not the time . . . how about dinner tonight . . someplace where we can just grab a drink and a sandwich . . . I'm not going to cross-examine you . . . "

I could tell this was probably a relationship issue . . . and who am I to give you advice . . 41 and single . . . and never had a relationship that lasted more than 18 months!!

 

[temptationsx]

Julie looked down at his hand fell upon hers, raising an eyebrow, yet not bothering to pull her hand away. She returned her gaze to his, slightly taken aback by his invite; normally, going any where with him also included her parents, and even that was a rare occurrence. Though, she didn't see how it would hurt. It may even be a good idea in terms of bringing out the little jealous monster in her ex-boyfriend.

"Sounds wonderful." Julie blurted without a second thought, forcing a smile and tossing her long hair over her shoulder. She made an effort to position herself closer to Jared, glancing towards her ex in hopes that his eyes were still wandering in her direction.

 

[garajd]

"OK, Julie . . . say 7:00. I'll pick you up and we'll decide where to go, someplace quiet where we can fade into a corner and just have a nice dinner and talk." Wondering a bit why you seem to scoot a little closer . . . then notice your head tilt a bit and look in the direction of a couple across the room . . must be your ex.

 

[temptationsx]

Julie was more than pleased by the look of disgust apparent on her ex-boyfriend's. She returned her attention back towards Jared, giving him a genuine smile and a subtle nod of her head. She placed a hand on his knee as she spoke. "Can't wait."

She allowed herself one last peek across the room, and at that point, the couple had disappeared.

 

[garajd]

"Gotta get to my office . . . then one last class for the day. See you this evening."

Seeing your smile, and feeling your hand lightly on m knee, I stand and lean forward to kiss you lightly on the forehead . . . if the ex is still watching, that ought to piss him off pretty good.

 

[temptationsx]

"See you then." Julie smiled at him, dropping her hand from his knee and beginning to gather her things. She didn't bother to hesitate as Jared leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead, despite the fact that it wasn't something she was expecting. Certainly if her ex had noticed, it would be the icing on the cake; she only hoped that he was. Julie watched as Jared sauntered off towards his office, ignoring the stares from her friend sitting across the table. Silently, she put herself together and went on with the rest of her day.

After much anticipation, the night was slowly nearing and Julie was more than ready to get her ex off of her mind, no matter what she had to do to make that happen. Dressed in her little black dress and nude pumps, Julie double and triple checked her appearance in the mirror, assuring she looked flawless. She knew she needed to get back into the game, and she hoped that tonight would be the night to make it happen.

 

[garajd]

Not sure why I so nervous; I've known Julie forever . . . and it's just dinner with an old family friend, but my hands are sweaty driving to pick her up. Pulling up just before 7:00, I take a deep breath and walk to the door; guess you must have been waiting because, just as I reach for the doorbell, the door opens and you step out . . . looking incredible. "You look gorgeous," (not the girl I watched grow up as a family friend, but a gorgeous young lady!)

Walking to the car, opening the door and trying not to stare when you slide in and your dress slides up a bit, revealing an incredible set of legs . . . hurrying around to join you in the front seat and start the car . . . "I was going to suggest the new Italian place out on the drive by the lake . . . how does that sound to you?"

 

[temptationsx]

It didn't take long for the doorbell to sound, as Julie eagerly opened the door to reveal a rather handsome Jared. A subtle smile played on her lips as she received his compliment.

"You clean up well herself." She chuckled softly as she made her way out the door, following him to his car. She thanked him as he assisted her inside, making certain that her dress shifted just enough to show off her toned thighs.

Pulling her seatbelt across her lap, Julie adjusted herself in the best way possible to draw Jared's attention. She watched him slip into the car, listening to his suggestion, though not caring where they went as long as he guaranteed a good time.

"Sounds fantastic." She flashed him a smile and gave a nod of her head, slipping a hand through her blonde locks.

 

[garajd]

"Italian it is!" Driving toward the lake where new developments had begun to build up, including an area of upscale restaurants and clubs, chatting easily as we drove along . . . catching up on family interests; both of us realizing that this was more than just dinner between two old friends of close families . . .

Greeted by the maitre' de . . . seated at a quiet table by the windows (my request when I phoned for the reservation), a bottle of wine already chilling at the table. As the maitre' de seats you, and I take my seat . . . I lay my hand on top of yours, "The rest of the day go better?"

 

[temptationsx]

Giving a shrug of her slender shoulders, Julie looked down at their hands. "I suppose you could say that." She gave him a weak smile, one she knew wasn't completely honest. She hoped that with a night out, things would begin to look up.

Undoubtedly, Julie wasn't about to share the fact that she was mostly interested in making her ex-boyfriend jealous as a result of their time spent together, though she couldn't help but wonder if it would escalate to much more.

 

[garajd]

Not quite sure what will come of this evening . . . but, a dinner with an attractive young lady can always be a good thing . . . even with an long-time family friend as attractive as Julie. Looking up as the waiter comes to uncork and serve the wine, handing us the menus to study.

The brief interruption by the waiter was a good thing . . . it broke the tension of the question about the rest of the day hanging over us . . . not an area for discussion. Within a couple of minutes, he was back and took our orders. Lifting my glass and tilting it toward you, "Let's just enjoy the evening . . . here's to a fun night."

 

[temptationsx]

Julie glanced over the menu, taken aback by the absurd prices. As the waiter returned, interrupting their conversation that didn't seem to be going anywhere worth elaborating on, at least for the time being, she merely ordered herself a salad.

Julie imitated his as he lifted his glass, intrigued by his words as he mentioned the thought of a 'fun night'. What he meant by that, she could only guess. With a smile, she clanged glasses. "To no regrets." She chuckled softly before taking a sip of her wine.

 

[garajd]

Interesting choice of words I thought, but lending more credence to my thoughts that you are going thru some relationship issues.

Dinnertime talk was mainly about family and school . . your classes and my teaching. After dinner and another glass of wine, we leave, walking quietly across the parking lot to the car. Nice fall evening, a bit of a chill in the air.

As I unlock the car and open your door, I tilt your chin up with a finger and kiss you lightly on the cheek, "How about a drive down by the lake?"

 

[temptationsx]

As they stepped outside, Julie pulled her short black leather jacket tight around her torso, shivering slightly as the cool fall air swept across her bare legs. Together, they made their way to his car, stopping as they approached the passenger side door.

Julie was taken by surprise as Jared pulled her face to his, planting a gentle kiss upon her cheek. She expected such a situation to feel strange, but rather, it was quite comforting. As their eyes met again, Julie's lips pulled into a sincere smile. "Sounds lovely." She accepted his invite just before situating herself in the car and shutting the door.

 

[garajd]

Driving slowly down and around the lake, occasionally glancing over to judge your reaction . . . taking a chance and resting my hand on your knee . . .

Pulling into a parking lot on the far side of the lake with a spectacular view of the city lights; shutting off the car and turning in my seat to face you . . . leaning over and kissing you gently on the lips . . .

 

[temptationsx]

As the car winds it's way along the water front, Julie's eyes scan the water's surface as the moon reflects off of it, shining onto her face. She can sense Jared's gaze on her profile, though she doesn't dare look to confirm. She doesn't even bother to hesitate as his hand falls rather cautiously upon her knee.

They approach a deserted dirt lot along the lake side, Jared parking his car and turning to face her. Without a word he is leaning into her, their lips meeting with the lightest bit of touch. Julie had to admit to herself that she was more than half expecting things to turn in such a direction, though she wasn't sure how she would handle it. Certainly, his lips upon her own were unfamiliar, so much different than those of her ex, yet she was pleased rather with the change. Giving in, Julie felt her entire body relax, leaning into the kiss to deepen their connection.