Mirage by Serena Janes

think I do.”
    “Well enough to…you know?”
    Julie felt bad that she made her mother blush. “Maybe. I don’t know, dear. It’s all rather soon. And you know it’s been a long time. I don’t know if I’m ready. And these certainly aren’t the best circumstances.”
    “It’s okay, Mom. Maybe there are no good circumstances. Maybe we should just grab our happiness whenever we can.”
    Hannah looked at her daughter and raised her eyebrows. “Maybe.”
    “And you know something else?”
    “What, dear?”
    “You were right.”
    “About what?”
    “Richard,” Julie said with a trembling voice. There. I’ve finally said it. Now it’s true.
    “Oh, sweetheart,” Hannah walked over to Julie and hugged her. “I’m so glad you can say that. Is it over, then?”
    “Yup. I never want to see his smarmy smile again.”
    “That’s very good news. We should celebrate.”
    “No!”
    “Why not?”
    “Not tonight, anyway. I’ve got a date.”
    Hannah laughed. “I knew it! I saw the way he was looking at you last night. Good for you. He’s a very attractive man.”
    “How? How was he looking at me?” Julie knew she sounded as eager as a child tempted with a treat. She’d been completely unaware of Tor looking at her in any way at all.
    “ That way. You know.”
    “No, I don’t know. Tell me!”
    Hannah laughed again. “All I’m going to say is, if you’re going to see him tonight, you’d better wear your best underwear.”
    “ Mom !” Now it was Julie’s turn to blush.
     
    After much primping, manicuring, hair styling and stressing, Julie was finally ready for her dinner date. Sure, it was a communal date, but still…
    Her black dress suited her curves perfectly. She let her long thick hair swing loose, complemented by silver hoop earrings and the red necklace. As she clasped a silver bangle onto her slender wrist, she was struck by a wave of insecurity. Her knees began to shake when she thought that maybe he wouldn’t show.
    How humiliating. How terrible that would be.
    But then she glanced in the mirror and saw that she looked pretty damned sexy. She stood up straight and winked at herself. He would be there. She’d bet her life on it.
    It seemed to Julie that her mother had taken extra care with her hair and make-up, too. Her light brown hair was pinned up in a French twist and she wore her favorite earrings. She was normally an attractive woman, but without Julie’s dark eyes and hair she tended to look a little washed out without make-up. Tonight she glowed.
    When the two of them walked into the lobby at seven, Julie saw a tall, shaggy-haired man wearing a didashah and leather sandals. He was standing with his back to them, so it took a moment before she realized it was Tor in a traditional Syrian robe. It was made of heavy cotton, woven in pale blue and white stripes. He looked magnificent.
    When he turned around, his face lit up in a killer smile. He said hello to Hannah, but it was Julie he kept looking at. She felt that gaze penetrate her black dress, her lace bra, heading straight into the most private recesses of her heart.
    “Right on time,” she said to hide the rush of excitement. There was no mistaking the desire in his eyes.
    “Always,” he replied, still smiling. “May I say how lovely you ladies both look tonight?”
    “I’ll second that,” said Marc, coming down the stairs to join them. “May I?” He took Hannah’s arm and led her out the door.
    “So where are we going?” Tor asked Julie.
    “Uh, I’m not sure. An informal little place that serves traditional food, I’m told. Shall we follow Marc? He seems to have a nose for wherever he can find food. And alcohol,” she added.
    Tor didn’t offer Julie his arm. Nor did he open the door for her. He merely followed her out onto the street, silently.
    “I like your didashah . Whatever possessed you to buy one?”
    He laughed. “My cousin, mostly. He said it would be the most comfortable thing I’ll ever wear.