Brady Roberts grinned as he sat down in the seat facing Peter, propping his feet negligently on the desk in front of him. "Who else? Julia Williams, of course. Those big green eyes and those wild red curls ..."

Brady picked up the silver framed picture on Peter's desk and studied it closely. "That's because it's true. She's beautiful. She's intelligent. She's witty. She's ... something."

"I'm forever amazed at your talent with words." Peter's eyes strayed involuntarily to the familiar picture. He had memorized the smiling face by heart already. The oval face of a young woman smiled back, her green eyes vibrant with life, a riot of untamable red curls enhancing creamy skin and a delicate bone structure. The picture that stared back did little justice, for her best feature was her warm compassion and vivacious personality.

Peter leaned back in his chair. "Julia and I were thinking about catching a movie together. Do you want to come?"

Brady smirked. "No, that's okay. I'm sure you and Julia need your space. When hiding a relationship, privacy is key. Although, I have to tell you, that picture of Julia on your desk is a dead give away."

"I see you've been listening to office gossip again," Peter responded tiredly. "How many times do I have to tell you? We're just friends."

"How long do you intend to say that you and Julia are just friends, as you so eloquently put it?"

"As long as it's the truth, which it is," Peter retorted, glowering.

"Right." Brady stood up, missing the exasperated roll of Peter's eyes. "And Jupiter is just a big rock."

"Don't you have work to do in your own office," Peter asked pointedly.

Brady's eyes flickered to Peter's desk. "Oh, right," Brady drawled lazily. "The Wilderson report. I'll see you in court tomorrow, Peter. Along with Julia."

"Okay. And Brady, don't forget. No slip-ups. Winning a big case like this is important."

Brady grinned. "Did all those expensive years you spent at Harvard teach you that?"

"No," Peter answered, smiling at Brady's retreating back. "Four years of hard work did."

This makes it impossible to -

"Hi, Peter!" Julia exclaimed brightly, popping into the doorway of his office. Julia was a splash of springtime in her pencil slim grass green skirt and sunshine yellow top.

Peter dragged his attention away from his copy of the Wilderson report again and smiled, charmed by the lighthearted outfit during a dreary downpour. "Hey, Jules."

Julia smiled at the face she knew almost as well as her own. Dark green eyes sparkled with hidden mirth underneath blond hair that had deepened over the years until it glistened like dark honey. He had an angular jaw, aquiline nose and dimples that flashed endearingly whenever he smiled.

Julia tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. "How does eight sound? I'll bring dinner over." Peter's eyes lit up. "Some of your homemade lasagna, maybe?"

Julia laughed. "Sure, if you want me to." She glanced at her watch and frowned. "I should get back to my office now, though. See you at eight, Peter. Oh, and Julian and Isabella Blakeney want us to meet them for lunch Monday to discuss the Wilderson report. Is that okay with you?"

"I saw her flirting with you earlier," Elisa Johnston, his secretary, announced. "She looked like she desperately wanted to talk to you."

"Who else would I be talking about?" Elisa responded coyly, looking at him from the corner of her eye and smiling smugly. "Everyone knows Julia loves you."

There she was, Petey-"

Elisa shrugged. "Sure, Petey. I'm just asking if you saw the way she acts whenever you two are together."

Elisa ignored him and continued, "The way she treats you is the way I treat my fiancée. She was very flirtatious, Petey."

"I think you have it backwards," Peter said softly. "Julia isn't the type of girl to flirt with anyone, much less me."

Julia popped her head into Peter's open doorway. "Oh, Peter, I forgot to ask. Did you get a chance to read the Emerson report yet? Brady and I want to discuss it with you soon."

"My, my. Talking with Peter again, Julia?" Elisa asked, her eyes glittering slyly as she shook her finger disapprovingly.

"That's eight times in two hours. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were developing feelings for him," Elisa declared loudly.

Julia narrowed her eyes angrily. "I could certainly say the same about you, couldn't I? You talk to him more than I do at work! Peter and I are just friends."

Elisa's smile sharpened. "Yes, but there's a difference. As his secretary, it's my job to keep him in touch with the world. Your job is centered in the office around the corner. There's no need for you to come popping into his office so much, as you're very fond of doing. In my opinion, you two are more than just friends. You two were awfully cozy before I came along."

"Do you have to keep playing the same tired old song?" Peter asked wearily. "It's bad enough you have to bother me with it, but Julia? Get over it, Elisa, and find someone else to bother."

Julia must have put two and two together to get four, because she flushed angrily at the implications. "Exactly right. Everyone says that, so why can't you?" Julia retorted.

Elisa ignored him. "We're all friends here. So, come on, 'fess up, Julia. Are you and Petey ... dating?"

Something in Peter snapped and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Get it right, Elisa. It's not Petey, it's not Pete, it's Peter. If you ever address me as anything but Peter, I will no longer respond. Do you understand? I've been telling you for two years that it's Peter. My mother named me Peter. She called me nothing but Peter. Peter is the only name I acknowledge. Shake your head if you understand, Elisa."

"Maybe you don't want me calling you Petey because that's Julia's nickname for you!" Elisa cried irrationally. "Well, I'll tell you something, Petey. I'll call you whatever I damn well want to call you!"

"That's ridiculous and you know it," Peter managed between gritted teeth. "I hate the name Petey and I always have."

"You're just trying to get me off subject," Elisa accused wildly. "You don't want me finding out the truth - that the two of you are in the middle of some secret relationship!" "That's it, Elisa! That was out of line and I demand either your resignation or an apology - to both of us."

"I've put up with your disrespect because you're a good secretary, but this is where it ends. Your resignation, Elisa."

Elisa leaned forward eagerly, Peter's ultimatum already forgotten. "Yes! Yes! Julia, tell me, please."

Peter hesitated, reluctant to lose hold of his justified anger. Finally, he nodded at Julia's beseeching look.

"Elisa, I have to tell you that Peter is the only guy in my life. In fact, life is not worth living without him. I love him more than life itself and he feels the same way. He told me himself, isn't that right, Peter?"

Peter's mouth quirked into a smile. "Right. She's my entire world, Elisa. Without her, there is nothing. She's the only thing that keeps me going." Peter coughed to hide the shout of laughter that erupted without any warning.

Elisa's eyes were wide with shock as she slowly walked, backwards, towards the door. "How - how long has this been going on?"

"It depends. When we're together, hours seem like seconds ... but every second apart seems like an eternity." Peter gazed soulfully into Julia's sparkling blue eyes.

Julia smiled tremulously. "Oh, Peter, you're the only -" As the door closed behind Elisa, they burst out laughing.

Peter smiled. "She lapped it up. I think she's going to have a field day with it. Anyone else but Elisa would have caught on that it was a joke. All that stuff about not being able to live without me ... that was brilliant, Jules."

Peter once again settled down to finish reading the Wilderson report, but this time with a big smile on his face. The satisfaction was short-lived, however, when Brady burst into the room. "Are you insane?" Brady yelled angrily.

"Don't you know what's going on outside? Elisa's told everyone what happened between you and Julia. As I speak, the entire office is on their way to demand the 'details' of your relationship." Peter rolled his eyes. "You lie."

"Okay, more like ten. But still. You think you were annoyed when Elisa was prying, wait until you get everyone else on your case."

Peter waved his hand expansively. "Everything will be fine, Brady. Give it a couple days to die down and Julia and I will conveniently 'break up.' Simple as that." Brady snorted. "Not so simple. The whole office loves Julia. Break up with her and you're going to become the bad guy."

Wearily, Peter rubbed his eyes. "It wasn't supposed to turn out like this. We just wanted Elisa to stop pestering us."

Brady shrugged and walked out the door without a backward glance. "Just wanted to make sure if you knew what you were missing."

Peter looked at the closed door strangely before switching his attention back to his report. But it was a long time before he was able to concentrate on the words in front of him.

"A few," Julia responded cautiously, tactfully remaining silent about the pointed questions that had plagued her all day. Tucked in her corner, she watched him pace the length of the elevator. At an even six feet and with his muscular build, Peter towered over here by a good eight inches. In the small confines, he was forced to stop every few steps in order to continue his pacing.

Worry filled Peter's eyes. "I went along with this to get her off my back, and instead, I get everyone on my back! They're nagging me, wondering about us. Only now they're more vocal about it. When did we start dating? Are we gong to get married? If so, when? I can't take it anymore, Jules!"

Julia clamped her hands around his shoulders and pulled him down so they were eye-level. "Listen to me, Peter," Julia said firmly. "Everything will be fine. I promise."

A smile appeared on Peter's haggard face. "That's true. Then they'd ask me how many promotions I've received. At least I'm not being portrayed as a social climber.

"Besides, I guess it's not so bad." Peter paused for a second. "We'll always be friends, right, Julia?"

"Don't put words in my mouth!" Julia cried in exasperation. "I'm just really stressed out now, okay? Things are piling up. My mother is pestering me to visit, but I don't know if I can get away from work because I have two major cases, as well as guests coming this weekend. Peter, I just need time to think."

Peter relaxed visibly. "That's understandable, Julia," Peter said, walking her to her car. "It's normal."

She looked up at him earnestly. "You are my friend, Peter. Never forget that, no matter what happens."

Peter cleared his throat uncomfortably. Her unexpectedly solemn words startled him, but he pushed aside his uneasy feelings. "I won't, Julia."

"Ever since were in high school, you've been there for me. You're one of the best friends I've ver had," Julia persisted.

"I know that, Jules. It's the same for me, too."

Peter summoned up a small smile. "Right." He closed the door and watched her zoom away. "Nothing at all," he whispered under his breath. He didn't move for a long time.

Brady laughed again. "Not my fault, Peter. You should learn to stay on your toes. What if I had been a real mugger?"

Peter rolled his eyes in tolerant annoyance. "I enjoy being scared by you so much, Brady. But I'm busy now. Why don't you tell me what you want?"

Brady rubbed his chin and eyed Peter thoughtfully. "Well," Brady finally admitted, "There's this one thing that's been bothering me lately."

Peter turned towards Brady. "I'm sorry, what was that? I could have sworn I heard you ask me if I love Julia."

Brady shook his head. "No. I've seen the way you two act together. I've seen how she looks at you, Peter."

"You've been talking to Elisa, haven't you? I knew I should have fired her instead of going along with Julia," Peter groaned. "Besides, Julia said that we were just friends. In fact, if I remember correctly, I practically had to drag that from her. Does it sound like she's in love with me?"

"She may have said that, but that doesn't mean she meant that, Peter. You know that. Julia's really honest, but that doesn't mean she doesn't hide things from time to time."

"Have you ever wondered why it matters so much that you and Julia are 'just friends,' anyway? Why is it so important to you that she understands?" Brady asked.

A knowing look hovered in Brady's eyes, but disappeared before it could take root. "Tell me, Peter, exactly how many dates Julia's been on this year."

Brady shook his head. "Not so. I know of at least six guys who've asked her out in the past two month. She turned them all down to do something with you. Doesn't that tell you anything?"

"What? Oh, I was just saying, 'please, no, not you, too, Brady.' You and I both know what's going on between us. You know that Julia and I are just friends. Don't make things more complicated than they really are," Peter pleaded.

Brady whirled around, his eyes snapping with fury. "You don't deserve her, Peter. But she appears to love you."

"And that doesn't worry you - about her mental health? She knows this relationship is as fake as Veronica's nose."

"I've heard you could be stupid, but this really takes the cake! All these years, I've been defending a moron! And I never, for once, believed it was possible until now."

"That you could be so smart about some things and so stupid about others. 'We're not in a relationship' - what a joke! That's the funniest thing I've heard in months."

"You deserve a damn good beatdown! Just listen to me for once, Peter." Brady paused, trying to collect his thoughts. "Peter," Brady finally said in a calmer tone, "Can't you see? You keep tying up her emotions and leading her nowhere. Eventually, a woman like Julia is going to cut her losses and leave you. And when she does - that's when you'll realize how much she really means to you."

"Because I love her, Peter. But I've never had a chance as long as you were around. And the only thing I want for her is happiness; but if you continue to kick her while she's pining from you, I'll take what I can get however I can get it."

Peter threw up his hands in surrender. "Fine! I'll just call the whole thing off. Nothing is worth this kind of grief."

"And what exactly are you going to do? Write her a letter? Dear Julia. It's been fun, but I think we should call it off. I'd rather shoot myself than have other people think we're a couple."

A tiny muscle started moving methodically in Brady's jaw. "You don't get it, do you?"

"If you did, you wouldn't be acting like such an ass. Listen to me. Julia means a lot to me. If you ever in any way hurt her more than you already have with this crap, I'll forget ten years of friendship and I swear I'll hurt you."

Peter slowly started his car and pulled out of the parking lot, deep in thought. He thought back on all the free weekends Julia seemed to have and frowned. He had always taken it for granted that she would be there to spend time with him. Soon, expectations became routines and their routine had become a rut. Had he really started taking her for granted?

Yes, Peter realized, he had. He didn't know when it happened, but he was used to her, used to everything about her: the spontaneous laughs, the quick smiles and the comforting idea of having her around.

But did that mean he loved her? He had spent so much time viewing her as 'just a friend,' that it was disconcerting to think of her as anything else. But then he thought about her with Brady and his hands clenched around the steering wheel. Immediately, he forced his grip to loosen and thought about what Brady had said.

Brady was right. He was used to having her for himself and he was happy that way. But it was the wrong way. Julia needed - deserved - someone who appreciated her for who she was. And he just wasn't sure if he could be that person.

Later, Peter tentatively knocked on the door to Julia's house. When she opened the door, he summoned up a small sile. "Hey."

Peter bit his lip. "Are you feeling well, Julia?" he asked, more to make some noise than out of any real concern.

Peter groaned and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "Stop it, Julia. You're agreeable, I can't deny it. But you're not all there. Don't shut me out! Tell me what's wrong ... please."

Peter grabbed her shoulders and shook her until her eyes sparked with anger. She yanked herself away. "Stop it, Peter!"

"Julia, what's wrong with you? Talk to me! Talk to me like you used to!" Peter desperately pressed his advantage.

Peter grabbed her hand. "No, we can't, because I've had some sense beaten into me today. I've thought about this for a long time. And there are some things I realize I have to tell you. I love you. Maybe I've always loved you, I don't know. But I know that I love you now more than I've loved anyone in my whole life. I know I've been blind all these years, but everything's changed. Brady has -"

Peter stopped, searching for the right words. "Well, he talked some sense into me. He asked me why it bothered me so much that everyone thought we were dating. I couldn't give him an answer because I didn't have one to give."

"Don't what? Tell you how I feel about you? Julia, I need to tell you this. When we first became friends, you were like this comet flying across the sky. Somehow, I knew that if I caught you, I could hold the world in my hands. Only I was always a step behind, always almost there. Things were great, but there was always something missing. I knew you held the secret to something, but I never knew what. I just knew that you were important to my happiness. And now I realize why I knew you were special right from the start. It's because I love you. I do. You're my lucky star. You make me believe in things I never knew existed until I met you. This whole charade has made me realize that. You seem content to be my friend, Julia. But I can't have that. I can't be your friend anymore when I want to be something more ... something infinitely dearer. Maybe you feel like things should stay the same, but I don't. Jules, everything changes eventually. And you've changed me. I didn't even realize it until now, when I've found that I'm a better person - all because of you. I just need to -"