Julie

As far as brothers went, Julie deemed hers the best of the lot. He was pleasant, charming, intelligent, and quite handsome. Some could even call him devastating to women. So it was without surprise that she observed her employer serving Matthew with an extra slice of pie.

"You ate that last one so fast, I don't think you really had dinner." The matronly red-head peered at the man curiously.

From the looks of him, Matthew had indeed skipped dinner. The slight flush that always accompanied an unexpected truth crept over his cheeks.

"Don't worry, Franky. I'm sure he'll eat something soon. He is in my section after all." Julie stepped out of the break area and approached her sibling as Franky drifted off to yell at some rowdy kids.

"Thank God, sis. I think she's trying to fatten me up for some type of slaughter."

When Julie couldn't help a laugh from slipping out, Matthew looked at her curiously. "Sorry. Picturing you on a platter with an apple in your mouth. So you want some ice cream to go with that pie?"

***

He couldn't help it if anywhere he went, he knew someone. He had only to enter one place and Peter's name would ring out from some acquaintance or other. It just happened this time that this particular place was owned by one of those. "Hello, Franky; and how are you?"

"I'm good – yourself?"

Spotting Julie waiting at the far end of the diner car, he smiled. "I am great."

The older lady smirked at him. "What'll you have?" She followed his gaze and her expression turned to one of mischievous glee. "Or should I say what'll have you?"

Taken aback, Peter couldn't help but wonder, "That transparent, am I?"

"It helps being in the loop." She tilted her head toward a man seated at the counter. "Take a seat. Someone'll be with you shortly."

Peter didn't quite understand her but did as he was told happily.

Well, that is until he got a better look at the man also seated at the counter. The same bloke that he first saw Julie with picked at a sumptuous looking sundae only partially consumed. Uncertain, he took the stool adjacent.

The unknown man raised his head and noticed Peter. Nonchalantly he pointed to his desert. "Damn things. You always get the biggest one because that's what you want. Then you can't finish it because of all the other food you ate before it. Or pie that was practically shoved down your throat." In a small way, Peter acquiesced to the strangers comment. "Silly – it's made for you to have a date with you so you don't waste your money."

"Or for those with an enormous sweet tooth." Julie sidled up to her brother and patted his back. "Eat up, Matt, else I'll finish it on you, break rule or no." Her cheeks flushed when she noticed the Peter, sitting and quietly taking her in. A few swift strides later she was placed firmly on the opposite side of the counter. "Something to drink?"

"Usual, doll."

Julie's moved away to place the order and Matthew caught her flustered hand motions as she poured him a cup of joe. Such activity could have a few meanings, but he decided to make a closer inspection of the man.

"Been here before?"

Peter noticed this Matthew giving him an un-approving glance. "The name is Peter. I work the C&P Bar a few blocks away." Holding out his hand for an introductory shake was met with the same sturdy gaze – and much to Peter's chagrin – not a hand.

"I'm Matthew. It's nice to meet you."

For a while they didn't do anything. Peter found his dislike easing into the realm of ardent distain within a few minutes. The way he kept staring at Julie and the warning glances he kept sending Peter's way were beginning to infuriate him. Julie, he noticed, had a tired but friendly attitude around this Matthew. Peter thought it a little too inviting... But she kept sending those innocent blushes to himself.

It was definitely a good idea to come before 10.

"So do you come here often?"

Matthew's question was met with a chuckle. "Well, I do plan on coming in here more often. Good burgers." Julie happened to wander by and he smiled wolfishly at her. A few more roses lit up in her cheeks and she lowered her eyes to the floor.

"Yeah, the food's not bad."

Julie poured some coffee for Matthew and set it down with a playful light in her eyes. In a low tone to Matthew she considerately said, "In comparison with Mom's, maybe. But damn good otherwise."

Score one for Peter!

As Peter did a mental jig due to his great deductive reasoning, he figured he would just make sure. Julie continued to skirt her way about the tables, refilling coffee cups, Peter took the opportunity to make certain. "So you're her brother?"

Matthew peered for a few minutes into Peter's eyes, attempting to measure him up. "Yep."

Peter shrugged and took up his drink, delighted. Slurping the black liquid, Peter couldn't help but notice that the tension building between himself and Matthew hadn't quite died though. "You two don't look much alike."

"That's genetics for you."

Peter smiled a little and offered his hand again. "Are handshakes in the genes, too?"

Begrudgingly, Matthew took it and gave a brief although exceedingly firm shake. "Break her heart and I break your spine."

"Good to know."

Before too long, Julie returned with good cheer. "How are you two getting along?"

"Well enough, sis." Gathering up his jacket, Matthew drew Julie in close and whispered something in her ear Peter couldn't hear. "Remember what I told you," was thrown over his shoulder as Matthew walked out the door.

"What was that about?"

"Incentive..."

***

A tired sigh escaped Julie's lips as her eyes roamed her walls appreciatively. After a few hours of sleep the nightmares roused again, forcing Julie back to work. She had framed the portrait of Franky, all spiffed up from Peter's handiwork. Although the condition on receiving said frame was rather steep...

"Should you say yes, you and I shall have a quiet dinner at my place, where you won't be lifting a finger or bussing your own dishes. Then there will be ice cream and an optional snuggling period to whatever film in my collection strikes your fancy."

Flabbergasted for a moment or two, Julie finally managed a "And if I say no?"

"You will be proclaimed as the wickedest creature that ever drew breath. Not to mention, I will be forced to eat a half gallon of ice cream all by my lonesome." After a short charade of Peter's saddened ice cream gorging, mingled with pretend tears and sobs, Julie couldn't help but say yes.

He demanded this occur immediately, and with Franky's support, it did. The two enjoyed some good Thai take-out, German beer and ate their dessert to the opening credits of an old thriller classic, House on Haunted Hill. They hadn't exactly cuddled, but sat leaning against each other constantly conscious of the other.

It wasn't until Julie was ready to leave that anything out of the usual "get to know you" shebang came up.

"One last question, I beg of you."

Julie started at that. "Beg of me? Why beg?"

In his own place, he couldn't help being at home or the self-assured grin that burned brightly on his face. "Well, you've done everything our negotiations dictated and more. I just don't want to pry too much..."

"How about this; you ask me your question and I will reserve the right to answer it? In addition, I'll ask a question. Tit for tat."

"Good for me. I like tit... Anyway, what happened with your last relationship?"

Choking back a large sigh, she turned on Peter. "Same question, you first."

After a pause, Peter finished the last of his beer before responding embarrassed, "Wouldn't call twenty minutes a relationship... but she was a dude."

"I'm not a dude."

"I know." With that, Peter gave her a kiss she'd been anticipating all evening. She wasn't sure how long it was or if she could express it in words. But she knew that she hadn't been disappointed.

She remembered that sensation and wouldn't think on Peter's pouting face when she didn't answer him back. It gave her a smile and banished the last phantoms from her restless sleep.

Her hand sketched of its own accord until the wee hours of the morning were past.