Sugar and Spice and Errands to Splice

"Bye," Julian murmured quietly as they left the restaurant. He looked after them for a long moment, and when he turned to leave, realised that Antonio was still standing there.

"You like that girl, hm?" Julian grunted noncommittally, unsure of the answer.

"Too early to tell, I think." But he was interested, certainly -- very intrigued by her.

"She got a daughter." Julian was confused by this statement, which seemed to come out of nowhere.

"Yeah. So do I," he said, shrugging.

"I know. But I meant...you should be careful about that. You know better than anyone how messy it can get with a kid in the mix." This, Julian could only acknowledge to be true.

"Of course. We're just friends, right now."

"You're seeing her later." That stopped Julian short.

"You were eavesdropping!"

"I know everything that happens in this restaurant," Antonio countered with a smirk. "I have eye and ears everywhere!"

"Good to know," Julian replied, raising an eyebrow. "But don't you worry about me, I'm not going to do anything stupid."

"You're a good boy, Julian," Antonio said, patting him on the back. "Tell me how it goes next time I see you."

"I will," he replied, surprised by the promise he found himself making. Taking one last look back at the restaurant, Julian headed out with a sigh at the welcome he would receive upon returning to work.