Nate (The Princesses of Silicon Valley - Book 4) by Anita Claire Page A

things, has made me hyper aware as I remind Juliette, “Don’t forget your purse.”
    She gives me a nice smile and a small shrug before exclaiming, “Oh, thanks,” then she chuckles. “But I wouldn’t have gotten too far without my keys.”
    Walking her to her door, I can feel that she wouldn’t be receptive to a kiss. Which makes me wonder what’s going on, I know she was getting turned on while we were wine tasting. She must not be up for a hookup, which is cool. Not wanting to spook her, I hand her the bottle of wine saying, “I really enjoyed our day. Can I give you this bottle with the hope we can share it in the near future?”
    Getting another one of her sweet, shy, flirty smiles she answers, “Sure, today was…nice.”
    I stand on her stoop watching as she closes the door. Juliette Cole, now this is worth pursuing.
    At my hotel room after cleaning up for dinner, I shoot Juliette an e-mail.
    Me: Great day, thanks for being my guide.
     

Chapter 16 – Moving
     
    Back in Rochester the job offer comes in. My boss at Mayo knows I was planning on moving, and he’s been supportive. Now, after five years, I need to pack up, say goodbye, and leave. On the Internet, I find a one-bedroom apartment with a designated parking space, walking distance from downtown Palo Alto, near the practice’s offices, and Leland Hospital—where my group works.
    Arriving home, I continue with my morning texts to Juliette: Gave my two week notice, not a surprise since my boss knew I was waiting on an offer. Now the hard part, packing up and moving.
    Juliette: Oops sorry, I can’t help you with logistics since I just dropped my phone in my bubble bath. Looks like you shouldn’t get a phone wet….
    This text just makes me laugh. It’s so Juliette. Not overtly sexy, but definitely fun and flirty, giving me a hint of what to expect. I hadn’t realized how much I enjoyed texting in the morning. It also makes me feel connected to her. She’s a pretty woman. Other guys must have seen her at that football game. I don’t want to lose my chance with her so I’m going to be attentive. Friends invite me to their place for Thanksgiving. An early season storm looks like it’s going to slam into the Midwest on Thanksgiving Day. Making a quick decision, I cancel with my friends, find a first year resident from Salt Lake City, and take off on Wednesday night. Taking turns driving, we make it to his parents for Thanksgiving. On Friday, I drive by myself to my sister’s.
    When I was in town two weeks ago, I didn’t contact my sister since I didn’t need a place to stay and had no interest in explaining my date with Juliette. Knocking on Jamie’s small, one-bedroom apartment door, I’m surprised when I’m greeted by some unshaven, tatted up, pierced thug wearing a heavy metal T-shirt, shorts and flip flops --in December, and reeking of weed.
    He looks me up and down and says, “Dude, you must be Jamie’s big bro.”
    Is he fucking kidding me? Who is this guy? Trying to act cool I ask, “Who are you and where is Jamie?”
    “Jamie should be back soon; I’m the boyfriend, Tyler, though my friends call me Ty.”
    Jamie is dating this guy? What the fuck. When I stayed here last month he wasn’t around. Jamie pays extra for a garage. I look at surfer boy and ask, “All my stuff’s on top of—and in-my car. Do you have the opener for her garage?”
    “Dude, take it easy. Let’s have a beer. Jamie can open it for you when she gets back.”
    He’s going to have Jamie help me? What, he doesn’t plan on helping out, I think as I enter the apartment. ESPN is on; there are a couple dead joints in the coffee table ash tray. Tyler hands me a beer as I look him in the eyes. “Tyler, so what do you do for a living?”
    Rubbing his hands over his soon to be beer belly, “Workman’s comp man, you know, injury.”
    I spend my day looking at injured people. I’m trying to see what’s injured about this guy as I ask, “Tyler, you look