Page 38 of Roses & Ruin

I can spot the exact moment he sees me. He’s rubbing the back of his neck when he glances my way and does a double take. As I approach him, the only things that move are his eyes, sweeping up and down my body, head to toe.

“Hi—wow. You look so— I mean, just—” I step close, smiling, and reach out to adjust the collar of his shirt, a move from a movie I’d always wanted to do. It doesn’t fail me: When my fingers graze his neck, Julian’s eyes flutter and he lets out a shaky breath.

“Hello,” I say.

“Jesus Christ, Rose,” he sputters. “Have you no mercy?” Julian leans forward, kisses my cheek. “You’re the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.”

“You say that to all the girls,” I say self-consciously, breathing in his warm bergamot scent.

“Only the pigeon-loving ones.” Julian pulls back, eyes dancing. “Thank you for coming.” He offers his elbow, and I take it.

“Don’t thank me just yet. I’m only here for the wine.” I bite back my smile, and Julian walks us to the doors, flashing a pair of tickets to a man in a suit, who unclips a velvet rope for our entry.

“Well then. Best track you down a glass tout de suite, hm?”

I’ve always longed to go to an evening soiree like this. There’s a live five-piece jazz band in the far corner of the gallery, the saxophone crooning low and smooth, double bass plucking a deep beat. Beautiful people of all types and ages are crowded around paintings, filling the cavernous space with the crackle of their conversations. The lights are low and warm, accentuating the spotlights on the stunning paintings hung throughout the gallery.

“Well?” Julian’s watching my face eagerly. “What do you think?”

I’ve got nothing clever to say, so I just tell him the truth. “It’s beautiful,” I sigh.

Julian slips a warm hand around my waist. I lean into him when he pulls me close. I nearly lose my breath when his fingers swipe across the bare skin of my back.

A waiter passes by with a tray of red wine. Julian swipes two from the tray, thanking the guy, and hands me a glass with a hint of ceremony.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he says, “it is time for the moment of truth: Will she or won’t she like it?” Julian watches me with bright green eyes as I take my first sip.

I knew it wouldn’t be sweet from the dark, dry smell. I didn’t expect to like it so much, how the warmth fills my mouth and rushes down my throat. I find the earthy tartness unexpectedly pleasant, hints of smoke in the wake of my swallow.

“Okay,” I say slowly, “I think I’ve found my drink of choice.”

“Brilliant!” Julian beams at me. “Can’t believe I’m so lucky to get to witness such an important first for you.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” I say flatly.

Julian’s eyes twinkle as he presses his lips together. “Oh, I disagree, Miss Rose. You only get one first of anything. Best to enjoy it. First time watching the sun rise. First time feeling buzzed. First kiss…”

“First parking ticket, first time getting pulled over, first heartbreak…” I tap a nail on my wineglass for each item I list.

Julian rolls his eyes. “Come on, let’s go look at art.” He guides us down an aisle of paintings. When he sees my eyes lingering on a geometric painting of a wolf, he stops us in front of it. “Okay, first thoughts?” he says.

I bite my lip, smiling.

“What?” he asks.

“You do this professor voice sometimes,” I say, craning my neck to meet his eyes. “It’s so…stuffy. Bossy.”

“And what’s wrong with bossy, Miss Rose?” he says in a smooth voice. “Don’t like being told what to do?”

I blink, heat rising in my cheeks, then refocus on the painting in front of us. “I like wolves. Especially when there’s only one of them.” I tilt my head, gazing at the black eyes.

Julian steps closer and hums under his breath. When a waiter with another tray of red wine passes, Julian swaps our empty glasses for full ones. He hands me mine.

“Were you a lone wolf your whole life? Or just later?”

“My whole life.” I take a long sip of wine, peering at him over the glass. “I know it’s standard for people to have a lot of firsts in college, but…let’s just say I’ve got a lot of time to make up for.”

Julian cocks his head. “Like…?” I feel the faint heat in my cheeks deepen. Julian gives me an easy smile. “Nothing to be ashamed about. Here, I’ll go first. I didn’t have my first date until I was seventeen, how’s that?”