Chapter 5 Older than Me

Julia was savoring a period of calm and contentment in her life. Her academic endeavors were progressing smoothly, and she was preparing to immerse herself in her latest project. Throughout this time, Logan, a constant and supportive presence in her life, consistently tried to keep in touch, especially when she mentioned needing assistance.

Despite Julia's repeated assurances of her self-sufficiency, her brother, Sebastian, she appeared to harbor lingering doubts about her ability to take care of herself. While staying with her friend Tracy, Julia observed that Logan would make weekly visits, piquing Tracy's curiosity about the nature of their relationship.

Tracy couldn't contain her curiosity one evening as they watched television. "Are you telling me you aren't dating that fine, muscular man?" she asked Julia.

"No, that's my brother," Julia replied.

"Why does your brother and him come here so often?"

"He does because Sebastian makes him. I don't know why he treats me like a child. He always tells me to visit him whenever I feel lonely. I don't get it," Julia explained.

"Hmm," Tracy gave her a side-eye glance.

"Don't worry, nothing's going to happen. After all, he's 11 years older than me," Julia reassured Tracy.

"If you say so, but at least try the blind date. I can open an account for you," Tracy suggested.

Despite Julia's attempts to stop Tracy from talking about the blind date, Tracy persisted and went ahead and opened an account in Julia's name. Julia pleaded with Tracy to reconsider, but Tracy was determined.

"You need to start making big moves to get rid of your singleness," Tracy insisted, to which Julia only responded with a frustrated hiss.

Julia nervously agreed to go on a blind date, convinced by her friend Tracy, who had spent hours choosing the perfect outfit for her. She found herself waiting at the table, her heart pounding with anticipation. As she reached for her novel to pass the time, she received a message that her date would be running a few minutes late. Shortly after, a man approached her table, and Julia couldn't contain her surprise when she realized it was Logan, the man she was meant to meet. "Logan?" she exclaimed, taken aback. Logan, equally shocked, turned to her and asked, "Julia, are you my date?"

"Sure," Julia replied, sinking back into her chair and absentmindedly running her fingers through her neatly styled hair.

As they reveled in the glow of shared laughter, they couldn't deny the magnitude of their mistake. Despite Julia's adamant vow to steer clear of dating sites, Logan remained undeterred and resolved to give it another shot. At 39, he felt the weight of societal expectations pressing down on him, propelling him to seek a marital union before hitting the big 4-0. Far from acting out of genuine desire, Logan was primarily motivated by his parents' persistent urgings to settle down.

As the moon rose high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the city, Logan and Julia found themselves engrossed in a spellbinding conversation. With each word, Logan painted a vivid picture of his daring leap from the bustling streets of Chicago to the pulsing heartbeat of New York City, driven by his unwavering determination to carve out a brighter future. Meanwhile, Julia opened up her heart, carefully skirting around the jagged edges of past heartbreak, sharing her dreams and aspirations with a hint of vulnerability. The evening unfolded amidst a sumptuous spread of delectable delights and lively drinks, spurring them to venture out for a tranquil walk beneath the moonlit sky. As they strolled through the park, the gentle rustling of leaves served as a serene backdrop for their intimate exchange, spanning a kaleidoscope of topics that enriched their bond, enveloping them in cherished moments and forging an undeniable connection as kindred spirits.