Chance Encounters of the Canuck Kind

Sunlight streamed in through the window, bathing the bed in a pool of light. Jacob awoke feeling refreshed, he’d had the best night’s sleep in months despite being in a bed that wasn’t his own. He nuzzled his face into Juliette’s hair and breathed deeply, intoxicated by the smell of roses coming from her auburn curls. He could hear the steady rhythm of her breathing and knew she was still deep in her restful slumber. Finding an exposed patch of flesh on her stomach, he began to lazily trace circles on her soft skin which caused her to stir. He propped himself up on his elbow to look at her, her face hidden by the red hair fanned across her face. Jacob gently brushed her hair away and tucked it behind her ear; a smile formed on Juliette’s lips but her eyes remained closed. He placed a tender kiss on her shoulder and whispered into her ear:
“Godmorgon, snygging”.
Juliette slowly opened her eyes and shifted sleepily onto her back
“Hey, you.”
“Sleep well?” He asked softly.
“Mhm. You?” Her voice was thick with sleep.
“Best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time, although I’m not sure Pickle is too happy. I think I’m in his spot.” Jacob nodded towards the fluffy grey tabby that had entered the room.
“I wish he was that loyal.” Juliette said with a laugh, “he’s probably just hungry.”
The cat miaowed, almost in protest at Juliette’s comment and jumped up onto the bed, climbing all over her before finally settling on her stomach. They laid beside each other in silence, the steady purr of Pickle the only noise in the room.
“So,” Jacob began, “last night…”
Juliette’s mind flashed back to the night before, it was the closest to perfection that she had been in years. She wasn’t one to jump into bed (or the shower) with a guy she’d only met a few weeks ago, yet with him it seemed right, almost like a natural instinct. This wasn’t a casual fuck, at least not to Juliette – you don’t sit on the couch eating pizza, drinking beer and listening to endless playlists on your iPod with a guy you’ve just casually fucked. You don’t tell him about how Don McLean’s “Vincent” speaks to your very soul and how he should really start listening to Fleetwood Mac, never mind him actually hanging onto your every word.
“Juliette?”
She snapped back to reality.
“Hmm? Sorry” she blushed. “Last night.”
“I, uh, really enjoyed it.”
“You did?” Juliette could barely hide the relief in her voice. “I had fun, despite the fact that you think that “classic songs” are anything by Kanye pre-2010.”
Jacob laughed, almost snorting.
“You have shit taste in music, Marky” she teased.
“I do not!” He whacked her playfully with a cushion that lay on the floor beside the bed, causing Pickle to jump and flee the scene.
“You do!” Juliette was giggling now.
“Oh, I see how it is!” He got to his knees and began to tickle her ribs.
“NO!” she screeched, laughing hysterically “STOP!”
“Nope. Not until you take it back.”
“I WILL NOT! MARKY! AH! DON’T YOU DARE! NOT THE FEET, YOU SHITHEAD!”
“Shithead? Now that’s not nice…”
“SERIOUSLY, MARKY! I CAN’T BREEEAATTHHEEE” she squealed.
Jacob finally relented, watching as she wiped away the tears of laughter that had tracked their way down her face. Juliette sat herself up in bed while she caught her breath, giving Jacob a mock scowl.
“You look cute when you’re angry” He joshed.
She smiled at him and took a moment to study his features, his face was carefree and his eyes soft, focussing intently on her.
“I was thinking we could maybe go to Stanley Park? Have a walk, maybe get some hot chocolate and something to eat?” He suggested.
A large part of Juliette wanted to say yes, she loved Stanley Park and knew she would love it even more in his company, but she was hesitant. There was a small part of her, a selfish part, that wanted to stay here with him, in the safety of her bedroom where they could be alone together. She knew that Jacob was well known in Vancouver, and his appearance was anything but inconspicuous. She felt uneasy about being seen in public with him, for no other reason than because she was frightened about what people would say; Juliette wasn’t a fan of gossip – especially when it was herself being gossiped about.
“Erm, yeah… sounds good.” She said slowly.
“You don’t sound so sure…” he coaxed. “What’s up?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Come on, Julie.”
“I just… I don’t want to be tomorrow’s gossip. People are going to talk, I don’t want to make things awkward for you by causing some fucking internet shitstorm – people will speculate all kinds of stuff” she trailed off.
“Let them speculate” he said flatly. “We’ve nothing to hide. We’re dating, people who date are often seen in the same place together.”
“It’s not going to make your life more difficult? Or awkward?”
“I don’t think my ability to stop pucks will disappear because I have a girlfriend – you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Just promise me you won’t go reading all that bullshit, some people have nothing better to do than write crap and say mean things about what you’re wearing or about how you look. I know this ‘cause the other guys’ girlfriends went through the same thing when they all first started dating and I don’t want you reading all that crap. Okay?” He looked her in the eyes, “Nothing anyone else has to say will change the way I feel about you, remember that.” He kissed her lightly on the lips, sealing his promise. Juliette got out of bed and put her feet on the cold floor. She wrapped herself in a blanket and approached the window, frost sparkling on the glass.
“It looks cold out” she said.
“Better make sure you bring your gloves and scarf, then” He replied with a grin.

Notes

Hopefully won't leave it so long to update next time! x