Chapter 6: The Other Man

The guys were giving him a hard time about his evening plans. He wanted to take Julianna to dinner, and see where the evening took them – see if there was any substance behind the initial attraction. He drove around to the cottage. Despite the ribbing he was getting, the impulse to take her out was too strong to ignore. Pulling into the driveway, he noted a car he hadn’t seen there earlier today. Damn, she has company, he thought. Parking his toy next to the smaller SUV, Richie stared at Julianna’s front door.

As if his thoughts conjured her, the door opened, and there she was, looking fantastic in an ankle-length, red strapless sundress. Her hair was loose, flowing down her back in a soft tangle of curls. High-heeled sandals graced her feet. She turned back to the house, and extended a hand. Richie’s gut tightened as he watched a tall, good-looking man take her hand, and be led from the house. The man said something to Julianna that made her laugh, throwing her head back.

Stunned, Richie just stared. As the pair made their way down the steps, Julianna looked up and saw Richie sitting there, watching them. Saying something to her companion, and grinning widely, she all but floated to the truck.

“Hi,” she said, climbing onto the running board and poking her head through the window. “What brings you by?”

Richie looked at her, incredulous at the nonchalance. After what he thought was a meaningful kiss earlier, and Julianna’s parting remarks, he was stunned that she was going out with someone else tonight. “Stupidity, I guess,” he said bitterly.

Julianna’s smile dropped at his tone. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I was coming by to see if I could take you to dinner,” Richie said with a scowl, “but I see you have other plans.”

Ah-ha, Julianna thought. She looked behind her at the man on her porch. “You mean Gianni over there? Yeah, we have a standing date the first Wednesday of each month. We meet the rest of our brothers,” she paused meaningfully, “assorted aunts, uncles, and cousins at our parents’ restaurant.” She felt an odd mix of annoyance and pleasure – annoyed that he thought she’d be kissing him if she was with someone else, and pleasure that he cared.

“Br-brother?” Richie chuckled. “Now I do feel stupid. Forgive me for being an idiot? I’ve got no excuse for thinking what I was thinking. But seeing you all dressed up, and seeing him come out of your house, well…” he trailed off. “I’m sorry, I should go. I’ll see you later, OK?”

Gianni, tired of waiting on the porch, came over to the truck. “Hey, man, nice wheel—holy shit! You’re – ”

Julianna cut him off. “Yes, Gianni, he is fully aware of the fact that he's Richie Sambora. We’re working on a project together for Bring It On, and I totally forgot it was Wednesday, and invited him over to review some of the rehearsal footage.”

Richie, catching on, and appreciating the discretion, stepped out of the truck to shake the other man’s hand. “Good to meet you, Gianni. Julianna was just telling me that you have a standing dinner date tonight.” He turned back to Julianna. “I’ll come back tomorrow, OK? No big deal. Have a good night.” He opened the door to climb back in, when Gianni put his hand on the door.

He whispered loudly to his sister, “Invite him to dinner, Jules. There’ll be plenty of time to talk business after dinner, and I’ll bet Mama will let you use her office.”

Julianna laughed. “Well, would you like to come to dinner with us?” Taking in Richie’s wary expression, she continued. “The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays, except for family. There are a few dozen of us at least,” Richie’s eyes went wide, “but we’re all fairly harmless,” she concluded.

“Best food this side of Italy,” Gianni prompted.

Richie laughed. “OK, you win. I’ll be glad to join you for a fine Italian meal.”

Gianni smiled. “Great. You wanna follow us, or…” he trailed off, looking longingly at the Humvee.

“Or you guys want a lift?” Richie asked, winking at Julianna. “C’mon, hop in.”