Love By Design

The Space Between

Julien settled into the plush car seat, his mind replaying the afternoon's events like a favorite film on repeat. Asher's face, his smile, his laughter, it all swirled together in a delightful mix of emotions. He couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at how different Asher was from what he'd imagined. The arrogance he'd expected was nowhere to be found, instead he'd encountered a kind, genuine soul who listened with warmth and understanding.

As he changed into comfortable clothes at home, Julien's thoughts drifted back to their conversation in the garden. The way Asher's eyes sparkled when he talked about his passions, the gentle way he'd taken Julien's hand in his...Julien's cheeks flushed at the memory.

He slipped into bed, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he'd found someone who truly saw him, not just the writer but Julien, the person. Asher's words echoed in his mind: "I want you to be yourself around me. No pretenses, no expectations. Just be you."

A soft smile tugged at Julien's lips as he drifted off to sleep, Asher's face etched in his mind like a gentle whisper. The butterflies in his stomach fluttered softly, a soothing hum of excitement and anticipation.

In the silence of his room, Julien's heart whispered a secret: he was looking forward to seeing Asher again, to exploring this connection further. And as he slipped into dreams, a tiny voice in the back of his mind wondered what tomorrow might bring.

Julien woke up to the sound of his phone ringing, the shrill tone piercing through his sleep-addled brain. Groggily, he reached over to his nightstand and picked up the call, pressing it to his ear. "Good morning," he whispered, his voice husky from sleep.

The deep voice on the other end sent shivers down his spine as he recognized Asher's smooth tone. "Good morning, Julien. Hope I'm not waking you up," Asher said, his voice low and soothing.

Julien's heart skipped a beat as he processed the sound of Asher's voice, so deep and smooth, like honey poured over warm toast. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he struggled to form coherent thoughts. The fog in his mind slowly cleared and for a moment, he was quiet, lost in the sound of Asher's words.

Asher's chuckle broke the silence and he asked, "Did you fall asleep again?" Julien's face warmed, realizing he'd been quiet for too long. "No, no...good morning," Julien stuttered, trying to shake off the sleepiness. "I...I'm here."

He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of slumber. Asher's chuckle on the other end of the line made his cheeks flush.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Asher asked, his voice laced with amusement. He could almost hear the smile in his tone.

"No, I...I was just...lost in thought," Julien replied, trying to sound more awake than he felt. Asher's laughter echoed through the line again and Julien's heart fluttered at the sound.

"Lost in thought, huh? About me, perhaps?" Asher teased, his voice playful. Julien's face grew hotter and he was grateful for the distance between them. What could he say to that?

Julien's cheeks burned as he slipped out the truth, "Yes..." He quickly backpedaled, "I mean, no! Not about you, I was just...thinking about...stuff." He felt like a teenager with his first crush, fumbling over his words.

Asher's laughter echoed through the line and Julien's embarrassment deepened. "I'm flattered, Julien," Asher said, his voice playful.

Before Julien could recover, Asher asked, "Did you sleep well after yesterday?" Julien's mind wandered back to their conversation in the garden, the way Asher's eyes sparkled, and the gentle touch on his arm. He was lost in the memory when Asher's words snapped him back to reality, "Would you like to go out on a date with me?"

Julien's heart skipped a beat. A date? With Asher? He felt like he was floating on air, his mind racing with possibilities. "A...a date?" Julien stuttered, trying to play it cool.

Asher's words sent Julien's heart racing. "I was hoping I'd caught your eye yesterday, just as you caught mine," Asher teased. "I'd love to take you out on a date, get to know you better." Julien's face burned as Asher's voice dropped to a lower octave. "You'd let me, wouldn't you?"

Julien's response was a barely intelligible "yes," his voice shaking slightly.

"I'll pick you up at 7," Asher said, his voice warm and inviting. "Dress up but honestly, you're always the prettiest in my eyes." Julien's heart skipped a beat at the gentle words.

As the phone slipped from his fingers, Julien collapsed onto his bed, his mind reeling from the conversation. He felt like a teenager again, his heart racing and his cheeks flushed. The warmth of the sunbeams streaming through the window only added to his discomfort, making his skin feel even hotter.

As he lay there, Julien's thoughts drifted back to Asher's words, replaying the conversation in his head like a favorite song. He couldn't believe he'd agreed to a date so easily, or that Asher's teasing had left him feeling so...fluttery. The memory of Asher's deep voice and playful tone made him smile and he found himself wondering what the rest of the day would be like.

The sun cast a golden glow over the room, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the air. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the sweet aroma of blooming flowers outside. Julien's gaze wandered to the vase on his nightstand, where a bouquet of sunflowers seemed to smile at him, their bright yellow petals matching the warmth in his chest.

As the morning wore on, Julien's distraction only grew. He tried to focus on his tasks but his mind kept wandering back to Asher. He found himself staring blankly at his laptop screen, his fingers hovering over the keyboard as he daydreamed about their date. What would they do? What would they talk about? Would Asher's eyes sparkle in the evening light?

The hours ticked by in a haze of anticipation and excitement. Julien's usual routine felt different today, as if the world had been dipped in a warm, golden light. Even the simplest tasks seemed infused with a sense of possibility and he couldn't help but wonder what the night might bring.

As the sun began to set, casting a soft orange glow over the room, Julien felt his nerves start to flutter. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but his heart refused to listen. It was going to be an interesting night and Julien couldn't wait to see what Asher had in store for him.