Page 14 of Hold Me Instead
She was already shaking her head. “I told you we have tomorrow and Tuesday covered.”
“Yes, well,thislooks like plenty to get a jumpstart on,” he said, gesturing to the boxes.
Her gaze followed, and she nodded in relent. “It’s a frightening pile.”
“That’s putting it lightly.”
He saw a quick tug of a smile, but she straightened her face and her stance. “Zachary, are you really going to workwithus?”
Her intentional phrasing made him pause. He was particular about work, and he didn’t doubt that she remembered him rambling on about what he’d do differently from his father. He’d often push the envelope to try and introduce new things, only to be met with resistance. So it was a fair question. As far as his answer…he realized it wasn’t so simple.
“I’m here to help,” he said again.
Her eyes darted between his, then she turned back to the desk, muttering once more. She scooped up the bags and stepped toward him.
“Tomorrow then,” she said.
“Tomorrow.”
Silence.
Charlie flicked her fingers from beneath the giant bags of candy. “You may go.”
He dipped his head, fighting a smile. “Nice costume, by the way. Looks familiar.” He gave a little flick to a cat ear. “Although, this is new,” he said, his fingertip adopting a mind of its own, grazing her soft, whisker-painted cheek. As though it hadn’t been six years since seeingeach other. As though they were still friends. As though he had every right.
“Sorry,” he whispered, though he found the move hard to regret.
Charlie froze, eyes wide, and then blinked rapidly. She threw in a scoff, scanning his body. “Yeah, well, great job with yours. Get a toy sword and call it a day, huh?”
He looked down, having completely forgotten about the sword Alex insisted he wear. Tucked into his belt loop, the plastic thing was so lightweight and short against his long legs, it hadn’t phased him.Good thing I didn’t lose it,little guy would’ve been crushed.But he scoffed in return. “All a knight in shining armor needs.”
She burst out a laugh, a one syllable sound that made him uneasy. “Of course that’s all you think you need. An accessory. You can’t even open the damn door!” She yanked the handle and swung open the door with a clumsy juggle of candy, and marched into the hall.
Zachary slowly pressed his fist on the doorjamb as he watched her, his body sliding to lean against it as his fingers went to his hair. Music and voices carried from the rest of the building, sounding much happier than the little bubble he’d just been in.
“Oh, and Zachary?” Charlie barely turned her body his way but definitely directed her glare. Her eyes scanned him, and she straightened, but the severity of her look had lessened. “I’m running the meeting, remember. This isn’t an opportunity to jump back into the way things used to be.” With that, she left.
The reminder she was the woman taking over the practice smacked into him. Yes, she should take the lead. She was determined to do so. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t have a say inhis father’spractice.
His fingers slid together with the memory of her soft skin.
It didn’t matter how long he’d been gone. He was ready to prove he was needed.
Chapter 5
Charlie
Charliecutthroughtheshort path in the park. Large maple trees with vibrant bursts of orange and red dotted the area, a view that normally stopped her in her tracks. Now there wasn’t time to admire its beauty, with the cool air fueling her frustration and speedy steps. This was no cozy fall evening for Charlie.
“‘Here to help,’ yeah,” she muttered.
She emerged on Main Street, where shocks of yellow from slender ginkgo trees alternated with black wrought iron lamps along the sidewalk. Their warm light buzzed as dusk settled, and the breeze bopped the witch hat and pumpkin paper lanterns hanging on the posts. Century-old red and cream brick buildings lined the road, housing small businesses, new and old, some there for decades. She passed the floral shop with the bridal shop upstairs, waving absentmindedly to the owners, and marched to Cleo’s Local Goods.
She pushed open the door to laughter carrying through the empty shop, a melodic harmony to the bell announcing her arrival. The sugary smell from Dorothy’s Bakery next door permeated the air.
Great. She wanted to vent, but the mood inside was softening her edge. And triggering her need for more cookies.
“Hi!” Amber appeared from the back, costume intact. She weaved through display tables garnished with bats and crows, but despite the apple blocking her face, Charlie saw her smile drop. “What’s wrong?”
