Chapter 36

My curiosity gets the best of me again, and I ask if Julian's company does a lot of business in the Middle East.

He smiles at me as he spears a piece of shrimp with his fork. "Yes, my pet, it does."

"Is that where you went on this trip?"

"No," he says, biting into the juicy shrimp. "I was in Hong Kong this time."

I make a mental note of that. Hong Kong had to be close enough to the island for him to fly there, conduct his business, and fly back—all within two days. I picture a map of the Pacific Ocean in my head. It's a bit fuzzy, as geography is not my strong point, but I think this island must not be that far from the Philippines.

Beth offers me some curried potatoes to go with my shrimp, and I take them, thanking her with a smile. I've noticed that we get more food variety shortly after Julian comes back from the mainland. I'm guessing he brings us food supplies from wherever he goes to.

Beth smiles back at me, and I see that she's in a good mood. In general, she seems happier when Julian is here, more lighthearted. I'm sure it's not fun for her, dealing with my attitude all the time. One could almost feel bad for her—'almost' being the key word.

"I've never been to Asia," I tell Julian. "Is Hong Kong really how they show it in movies?"

Julian grins at me. "Pretty much. It's amazing. Probably one of my favorite cities. The architecture is fascinating, and the food . . ." He makes a show of licking his lips. "The food is just to die for." He rubs his belly, and I laugh, charmed despite myself.

The rest of the dinner passes in the same pleasant manner. Julian tells me amusing stories about the different places he's been to in Asia, and I listen in fascination, occasionally gasping and laughing at some of the more outrageous tales. Beth sometimes chimes in, but for the most part, it's as though it's just Julian and me, having fun on a date.

Like that time when we had dinner alone, I find myself falling under Julian's spell. He's more than charming; he's simply mesmerizing. His allure goes beyond his looks, although I can't deny the physical attraction between us. When he laughs or gives me one of his genuine smiles, I feel a warm glow, like he's the sun and I'm basking in his rays. Everything about him appeals to me—the way he talks, how he gestures to emphasize a point, the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he grins at me. He's also an excellent storyteller, and three hours simply fly by as he entertains me with tales of his adventures in Japan, where he once lived for a year as a teenager.