Page 15 of Hold Me Instead
“Zachary’s back,” Charlie blurted.
“Oh!Ohhh.” Amber guided Charlie to a small counter where they served customers samples of local teas for sale. She poured Charlie a cup. “Spill. Not that tea,” she joked, chuckling at herself but steeling her expression when Charlie gave her a pitiful snort.
Charlie took a sip, warmth seeping through her as cinnamon and ginger danced on her tongue. She inhaled the spicy scent, reminiscent of eating apple pie in an orchard, her shoulders settling. “He’s going to fill in for Daniel.”
Amber clapped. Then stopped. “This is bad?”
“We haven’t worked together in years.”
“That’s okay! You two got along so well, I’m sure you’ll fall into a rhythm right away.”
“I’m going to be in charge this time.”
Amber wiggled her eyebrows, indicated by the slight bob of her hat. “Exciting.”
Charlie groaned. “You don’t understand. He has a very specific way of doing things. He used to tell me all the things he’d change if he were in charge, and he’d argue with Daniel constantly.”
“You’re not Daniel, though. And Zachary’s been gone a long time.”
“None of that matters.”
“Why?”
Charlie flicked a hand with a small huff. “That kind of stuff doesn’t just go away.”
“Alright. So you might bump heads a bit. Or you won’t. There’s a lot on everyone’s minds right now, maybe Daniel being sick will unite you or something.”
Charlie turned the cup in a slow circle on the countertop. As slowly as Zachary’s finger had trailed over her skin, his delicious scent delivered right to her nose while he dared to look adorable wearing a toy sword, likely to appease his nephew.
She shivered. “He’s irritated with me for some reason.”
“What? Why?”
She had her guesses, but she couldn’t be sure. They’d never talked about it.
Amber leaned toward Charlie and stilled her futzing with a firm touch. “How could he hate you? Maybe it’s a misunderstanding. That’s possible, right?”
Charlie shrugged.
Amber nudged her shoulder. “You know what I think? All the feels are back.”
“What!” Charlie scoffed. “No. Definitely not.”
Amber let out a gleeful chuckle. “How does he look? I’m guessing he aged well, and that’s part of the problem. Like you didn’t think he could get any hotter?”
Charlie spun off the seat and approached a tea towel display. “Why would that make a difference?” Her fingers trailed over the fabric, screen printed with snowflakes and the words Stay Out Of My F*cking Kitchen. Maybe she just needed to buy him a candid towel as a welcome home gift to help get the point across.
“Uh, when it comes to your job, nothing frazzles you. You’ve run that office no problem when Daniel’s been on vacation in the past.”
Charlie whipped around. “Are you saying I’m frazzled? I’m not frazzled.”
“Sure, is that why your voice sounds like it’s about to crack? Or break into hysterical laughter any second?”
Charlie took a moment to compose herself. “Yes, okay, he looks great. And still amazing in navy hoodies, damn him.” That detail hadnotskipped her attention.
Amber sputtered a laugh. “What?”
“But that has nothing to do with it! I’m telling you, something happened when he left, and he hasn’t let it go. His attitude was immediate, even at the hospital.”
