Page 44 of Take Two

After our time at lunch, we returned to their house instead of going to the beach. We swam in the pool with the kids while Charlie’s mother made us mint juleps. After, we went to Vickie’s sister’s house for dinner. We stayed well past midnight, and by the time we arrived back at the house, I was exhausted. The last thing I remember was kicking off my shoes, drinking water, and falling into bed with Charlie’s arms wrapped around me.

I blink twice into the familiar room before I sigh in happiness. The only thing that would make me happier is if Charlie was next to me, but he’s not. After spending an amazing day together yesterday, we left Montauk today mid-morning and returned to Manhattan. I check the time, and it’s only four in the afternoon. I groan because I have to teach a class in one hour, but after that, I’m coming home and doing nothing.

I hear movement in the apartment, and I roll out of bed. After freshening up, I put on a pair of gray yoga pants and a matching sports bra under a purple tee.

Charlie is in the kitchen, but he’s pulled the fridge from the wall. He’s lying on the floor while using a screwdriver to fix something.

“Hey,” I say.

He stands up, and I give him a hug. “Your fridge was leaking, so I fixed it.” I look down and notice the water on the floor. “I’ll do that,” he says when I reach for the mop he has propped against the wall. “You go to work, and I’ll cook dinner.”

I take the mop from him and toss it to the floor. I go to him, and he wraps me in his arms. “You’re fixing things in my apartment, cooking me dinner, and rubbing on me. That’s it. You’re not allowed to ever leave this house again.”

I tilt my face up, and he plants soft kisses on me until I hear my phone buzzing from my pocket. He puts me down, and I give him my back while I check my phone. When I see Terri’s name, I hit ignore.

“You’re gonna tell me about that tonight,” he orders directly from behind me. When I turn around, he’s pointing at my phone.

“I will, sir,” I tease, “but I have to go. There’s an extra set of keys in my junk drawer if you need to go out and come back. And you’re staying the night with me.”

He smiles down at me and nods. I knew he would since the rest of his family won’t be back until tomorrow. He’s only back in the city because he insisted on driving with me. Even though I told him I could make the trip by myself, he wouldn’t hear of it. His mother and brother wouldn’t hear of it either. It’s almost like they forgot that I drove myself there in the first place, but Iwas happy to concede and let my man drive me home so I could relax.

I reluctantly pull away and walk toward the door. After grabbing the extra set of keys, he follows me, opens the door, and gestures for me to go out. I wrap my arm around his while we wait for the elevator. I know what he’s doing. He’s walking me to work. This is another way that he’s similar to his brother. Colt is very protective of Vickie. We spent the entire day together, and he doted on her every second, and I wonder if that’s the way their father treated their mother.

He walks me into my gym, and since the lobby is empty, I give him an indecent kiss.

“Go. You have way too much testosterone for my gym. I’ll see you in a couple of hours,” I say against his lips.

It’s almost seven when I walk through my front door. I’m sweaty, tired, and hungry. All I want to do is shower and eat dinner in front of the television, but Charlie always sets the table. He’s in the kitchen with his back turned to me. He has AirPods in his ears and he’s whistling out of tune to a song I don’t recognize. I walk behind him and wrap my arms around him.

“Hi, darlin’,” he says. “I missed you.” He turns and plants a kiss on my lips.

“I missed you too. And I see you found your present.” It’s an apron I found online. It’s purple and has Violet’s stitched on the front. I left it hanging in the pantry for him to find. “You look good, and whatever you’re cooking smells amazing. I’m gonna shower and then I’ll set the table.”

After one more lingering kiss, I leave him in the kitchen. When I return fifteen minutes later, it’s to find that Charlie is no longer alone in the kitchen.

Standing there, looking up at him with a blush on her face is my sister. She’s cradling a glass of white wine in her hand, and I eye the bottle on the kitchen island.

“Terri,” I say as I approach them. I take the bottle, ready to pour it down the kitchen sink, but Charlie takes it, puts the cork in it, and puts it in the fridge.

“This is who you were in Montauk with?” she asks as if I’m going to answer her.

“What are you doing here?” I know I sound exasperated, but I can’t keep the irritation out of my voice. Never in a million years did I expect her to show up at my house after hanging up on her ass a couple of nights ago. If I'd had any inkling, I would have told Charlie not to open the door, but knowing him, he would let her in.

“I thought we could order takeout and talk. I had no idea you had a boyfriend.” She looks at Charlie again and gives me a thumbs up.

“Darlin’, I’m going to go freshen up before we eat,” Charlie says. I know he’s only doing that to give me and Terri privacy. He takes off the apron and puts it in the pantry. When he walks by me, I swat his ass. Once he’s gone, I face my sister.

“He calls you darlin’? I never thought I’d like a southern drawl. Where did you find him inthiscity?” She looks around my kitchen. I think she’s only been here once, and that was for an awkward housewarming party my mother insisted on when I moved in. I put her off for months until I finally caved and let her plan it.

Back then, the kitchen needed work, and all Terri’s husband did was tell me how ugly it was. At least he did until my dad toldSpence to shut the fuck up. Those were his exact words. A week later, I got an email from the landlord letting me know that the kitchen would be updated.

“This is nice,” she says as she runs her hand along the marble counter. I wait for her to criticize me for renting instead of owning this place, but she doesn’t. She opens the fridge and takes out the wine. She refills her glass and grabs another from my cabinet.

“I don’t want any,” I tell her.

“Since when? I got the kind you like.” She waves the bottle of Riesling in my face. She’s right. That’s my favorite white wine, and I’m surprised she remembers that.

“Terri, what is going on? Why are you tracking me down like this? I’m fine with the status quo of our relationship.”

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