Page 83 of Out of the Gold

We keep walking up the hill toward our hotel, now passing by houses that have flowers in window boxes. “Relationships in show business can be tricky things,” Charles points out.

“They can be done, you know. I do know people in the business who have successful marriages. The media likes to portray them as if they were unicorns, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”

He rubs his forehead. “I also know a couple of good marriages. Not many, but the ones who are real are true inspirations.”

“Hope my parents are on your list.”

“Definitely. Rock and roll at your fingertips, and two parents who supported you.”

I smile. “That part of growing up was the best.” I shake the tingles out of my limbs. “Not everyone got the memo, though.”

He pounds his fist into his cupped hand. “Who needs a lesson, besides Grant?”

I slant him a look. I need to tell him Sophia and I dubbed his sister the main ringleader of the “Mean Girls” crew.Please don’t let this come between us.

When I don’t reply, he places his hands on my shoulders. “Talk to me.”

I can’t look at his face. Blinking to the side, I confess. “Remember when I told you about the kids who made it their job to be, well, bullies?” That’s an understatement. I force my head up. “The ringleader was your sister,” I mumble.

His cheek indents to match the cleft on his chin. “Excuse me.”

“You didn’t know me back then. And you’re not responsible for your sister’s actions.”

His fingers dig into my shoulders. When I grimace, he lets me go. “Lindsay was the baby of the family, which isn’t an excuse. She’s been going through some stuff for years now.” He slams his mouth shut and turns toward the hotel.

I follow him up the road and grab his hand, causing him to stop. “Hey. I didn’t tell you to drive a wedge between us. I wanted to come clean to you, that’s it.” I bite my lip. “I haven’t been that little girl in a long time.”

The war crossing his face is heartrending. “I apologize for what my sister put you through.”

Hismea culpais appreciated, although he wasn’t responsible for his sister. “You’re not your sister’s keeper.”

Charles’s hand lands on the back of his neck, and his elbow moves up and down. “There’s stuff I’m sure you don’t know about Lindsay, and I’m not at liberty to divulge. Just know I feel awful for what she did to you.” His arm freefalls to his side.

A twinge of pity for her runs through me. Not for the first time, I skirt my hatred of his sister and puzzle what crawled up her butt and made her so nasty. Whatever. She was a royal bitch to me growing up. Nonetheless, I appreciate his explanation, and his remorse on her account. Reaching for the knitting needles in my hair only to realize I left them on the dresser, I voice, “Thank you.”

We continue the schlep toward the hotel, each deep in our thoughts. I spend the time burying, again, the feelings of inadequacy and pain his sister caused me growing up. When she’s back in her box, I want to lighten the dark mood I caused. I slant a glance at my boyfriend, who’s now eyeing me up and down like I’m a perfect couture gown. Looks like we’re on the same page.

“You’re definitely right about one thing. You’re not a child anymore.” He rubs his palms together. “Not with those tits and ass.”

I cross my arms across my “tits.” Yup, same page. “Really? You’re going with that?”

He licks his lips. “Yep.”

“Well, you better use some of that Doctor Manipul8 superhero mojo if you want any more of this T and A.” I twirl and swivel my hips. His wolfish laugh lets me breathe easier in the certainty our relationship is back on track.

He grabs me around the waist and tosses me in the air as if I weighed less than a feather. Catching me, he puts me down and places his hands on top of my head like in the movie. He releases me and steps back.

I shake my head. “I think you lost your mojo. I’m still affronted by your crude description of my body.” I manage to say this without laughing.

“Then maybe I need to make more crude descriptions, naked, in bed. I bet you’lllovethem then.”

As he speaks, I walk backward toward the hotel. Shaking my head, I yell, “Oh no you don’t! Keep your distance, Doctor Perverted! Besides, you’ll have to catch me first!”

I turn and race toward our villa, Charles hard on my heels.

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