When I get back, he’s cleared the table and is rinsing the dishes. I turn off the water, take the bowl from him, and start to drag him out of the apartment. He complies, and I grab my purse along the way. After closing the door, I make a bold move and wrap an arm around his waist. He throws his arm across my shoulder, and we walk into the elevator as if we’re a couple. We walk like any other couple on a Friday night spending time with each other after a long week.
We go the few blocks to Emack and Emilio’s, and as expected on a perfect summer evening, the place is crowded and the line is long. Sometime in the line, I drop my arm and our fingers end up intertwined. At one point, I look up at him and he taps my nose with his index finger. If we weren’t out in public, I would have fainted. He grins down at me, and I rest my head on his chest. He lets go of my hand and wraps both arms around me, and I never want him to let me go.
When it’s our turn, I order two scoops of peach ice cream, and he gets the cake batter. We find an empty table in the corner, and he pulls my chair out for me before taking his own seat.
“I offered to get dessert, Charlie. You were supposed to letmepay.” By the time I reluctantly pulled away from him to get my wallet, he had already taken out cash.
“I could never let a lady pay,” he says.
“You keep assuming I’m a lady,” I tease and he blushes. But he grins. He places his hand in the middle of the table, and I put mine in his. A few seconds later, he frowns, moves his hand away, and pulls his phone out of his pocket.
He looks at the screen and rolls his eyes. “Hey, Colty,” he says. “No, I told you I wasn’t comin’.” He rolls his eyes again. “I’m out.” He takes a spoonful of ice cream and puts it to my lips, completely shocking me. I open up and he slides it in. I do the same to him with my ice cream.
He grimaces, so I don’t think he likes it. I let out a chuckle. “Just havin’ some ice cream,” he says. “With a lady.” He listens and says, “Don’t worry about that.” After a few seconds, he speaks again. “Well, do you have to tell Vickie every darn thang? Just be quiet about it for now. No, I didn’t meet her on the dating app.”
I offer him more ice cream, and he shakes his head after making a face. “I will not put her on the phone. What the heck is the matter with you? What do you think? I’m makin’ her up?” He grumbles at his brother a few more times before ending the call.
“I bet he calls again,” I tell Charlie.
“Yeah, because Uncle Fester can’t function in society.”
My smile slips. “I didn’t mean to offend you,” I say.
He puts his hand on the table again, and I take it. “I know. I’m not offended by anythang you’ve said or done. My brotheris so darn nosey,” he mutters. “As if I need to run everythang by him so he won’t worry about me.”
“Forget that,” I say quickly. “I’m having a great time with you.”
That grin returns, and so do the dimples. “Me too,” he says.
“And those dimples of yours.” I put a hand to my chest. “How is it a woman has not scooped you up yet just based on those dimples alone?”
“Darlin’, I told you I was a mess for thirteen years.”
“But you’ve been sober for three,” I tell him.
“Yeah, but I was working on me before startin’ anythang with a woman.” He clears his throat before looking into my eyes again. “It’s been a long time,” he whispers. “I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the last time I was with someone in that way. There was Holly, but I don’t remember any of the romantic times because I was so drunk.” He looks away as if he’s ashamed, then his head snaps back up. “And here I am with a beautiful woman and talkin’ about getting romantic with anotherwoman.” He puts a hand to his forehead. “I’m muckin’ this up, ain’t I, darlin’?”
“Not at all. I want you to be comfortable enough to talk to me about anything.” I squeeze his hand. “It’s been a while for me too,” I say.
“You? But you’re so pretty and sweet. Do they not like that in New York City?” he asks.
“I dated, but no one special. I’ve spent the last few years building my business, and I made that my priority. The last guy got annoyed with my long hours, so that didn’t last long.” I shrug, uncaring. I don’t even remember that guy’s name.
“He sounds like a fool,” he says of my ex. “I don’t even know if I’m any good at it,” he jokes.
“You’re good at it,” I tell him while I look at him up and down. “It’s all about the chemistry you have with someone. If you’re into each other, it will be good.”
“Another thang alcohol took from me. I should have spent those years—” He doesn’t finish whatever he was going to say. “Let me not ruin the best night I’ve had in thirteen years talkin’ about my mistakes.”
“You can talk to me,” I reassure him. “About anything. And how about this? It’s been so long since I’ve been with anyone, I bought a weighted blanket so I can feel something heavy on top of me.” I cover my mouth with my hand and let out a string of giggles.
Charlie throws his head back and laughs. “Now, I wish I had thought of that,” he says. “Unless the blanket would be too heavy for my morning wood. Then that would be a problem.”
Shocked by his words, I raise both eyebrows. His words must register because he blushes and looks away. After a few seconds, we both burst into laughter.
“As long as it works,” I say between giggles.
“Oh, it works, darlin’. It works quite well.”