Rick had known Julianne for some time. She worked with his mother, and though she wasn’t flashy, she always came across as polished and articulate. He guessed she was in her early thirties. Her red lipstick, always vivid and sharp, was difficult for him to ignore.
At a work event his mother hosted, Rick found himself in conversation with Julianne. Despite the nine-year age gap, he was undeniably attracted to her. When a quiet moment presented itself, he took a chance.
"Would you like to come out for a drink sometime?" he asked.
Julianne glanced at him, then smiled slightly. "A drink, sure. But you're not going to shag me."
Rick laughed, trying to keep his cool. "No, of course not."
She narrowed her eyes. "So you don’t want to shag me?"
He hesitated. "I didn’t say that."
Julianne smi
