Page 116 of Hold Me Instead
He faced forward, staring through the jingles and shouted songs.Marry Charlie? He almost laughed, that idea—that possibility—so beyond any realm of consideration. He wasn’t getting married again, he andCharlieweren’t getting married. His parents didn’t even know about them, and if they did, they’d be more concerned about how he’d mess things up again.
While that panic brewed, the rest of Sandra’s words sank in—how glad she was to have him back. He couldn’t deny how much he’d enjoyed spending time with her and the kids. How calm he felt being home, the energy more his speed. Or the instant sense of community that working at his dad’s practice brought, the familiarity comforting. In Chicago, working for his ex-father-in-law, he’d felt like an impostor. In the way.Here, he wasn’t on the periphery anymore. This was his family, his home.
Watching his niece and nephew perform with their classmates warmed him.
So, yeah. What if he stayed?
***
“This. Is. Amazing.” Cory surveyed the collection of items currently piled in the waiting area. “And did Maura tell you? We had two adoptions and two new foster families who learned about us from your clinic. Such a great group of people here.”
“I’m so glad!” Charlie clasped her hands, the sincerity written in every gesture of her body. A body Zachary hoped to explore more later that night, if she let him.
“It’s all Charlie,” Zachary said. “As I’m sure you know, anyone who meets her wants to helphowever they can.”
She beamed, exhibiting the closest real-life interpretation of the “hearts-for-eyes” emoji.
He craved more of it. Quite possibly he was starved for her affection, considering they’d hardly communicated since he’d left for the concert. He’d texted her after, but she’d been with Magnolia, and then had only sent a brief message when she was home. When they’d both arrived at EFVH, she’d immediately handed him stuff to prep and move before Cory showed. Professional Charlie had been in full effect, but he knew it was for both of their benefit. Best to tackle personal shit later.
“You’re right about that. She’s been at the rescue, by chance, when people come by to meet the dogs, and they always leave with one. Every time.”
“Okay, now you’re going too far,” Charlie said.
“I’m just saying, we don’t have that kind of record normally. Maybe you should be stationed there all the time,” Cory added in a light tone.
Charlie laughed, nudging Cory’s arm. “Well, I’m happy to help. This community is very giving, and they really stepped up.”
She reasoned it out, but the truth was, she was as invested in the good of the community as the people who’d stepped up to help. He’d witnessed her interactions with too many people, seen her care and the welcome response from those she affected.
They did a tally of the supplies acquired. When Cory’s fiancé Brian arrived, everyone carried the items to their vehicles, and the front waiting area was empty once again.
Charlie closed the front doors behind them and turned to Zachary.
“I was thinking, maybe in the summer, we could do another one of these. It’s always great to have successful events around the holidays atthe end of the year, but pets are always in need, right? Maybe we could do a Holidays in July drive, or—”
Zachary cut her off, sealing his lips over hers. She let out a muffled chirp of surprise but quickly softened, winding her arms around his neck and tugging him closer.
He kissed her for her kindness, for her passion for animals, and her job. He kissed her because her mind never stopped working on new things they could implement, ways to help the community. She embodied what his father wanted for his practice, in spirit and in action. He kissed her because he couldn’t hold himself back anymore, because going almost twenty-four hours without her in his arms was too long. And he desperately wanted her to feel the same way.
He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers, her breath warm against his lips.
“What was that for?” she whispered.
“Couldn’t wait any longer. God, Charlie, I’m sorry about the concert. I wanted to ask you, and that freaked me out. I was trying to be careful with…us…with me living in Chicago and all. But I also want tobe with you.”
She pressed closer. “I want to be with you too.”
“I feel bad for not telling you about everything with Dad and all the debt. Really. You have a right to know what’s going on around here.”
She nodded, took a moment before speaking. “What are we going to do about it?”
“I have no clue.”
She slid her hands down his chest, her fingers digging into his wool sweater. “Come with me to the Open House?”
His hands paused their journey over her back. Out in public, wandering through the Village Holiday Open House with their community felt openly intimate.
“I promised Cleo and Magnolia I’d stop by their shops. It’s pretty cute. The stores go all out, and Dorothy’s has special cookies for this. Of course, eating them usually means you’ll end up inside buying at least a dozen of something while you’re there. Oh, and the coffee shop releases latte and hot chocolate specials. Do you like hot chocolate?”
