Page 25 of Hold Me Instead
“Named after Dale the Dog?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Zachary’s eyes traitorously looked at her soft lips, the pale pink slightly parted.
Charlie swallowed. “Seemed only right, honoring the beloved Lee dog.”
His eyes bounced back to hers as he straightened. “Did you name it that?”
She stared at him in silence for a beat. Finally, she nodded.
Why it mattered, he wasn’t sure. His fingers twitched. He tamped down a sudden urge to reach out and touch her. To maybe hug her. But he and Charlie didn’t have that type of arrangement. Or friendship.Acquaintance.
She turned toward her desk and flipped through a file absentmindedly.
“Well. Let me know what you need from me.”
Charlie whipped around. “For the cookout?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll still be here?” Her mouth opened and closed. “Uh. Are you taking a leave of absence from work in Chicago?”
“I’m taking some time to help out my family.”
“Right but—”
“Don’t worry about it, Harris. Not your problem.”
“If it means you working here, then it is. I thought you were only coming in this week.”
“I never said that.”
“That’s what…” She blinked rapidly, bit her lip as she shook her head slowly. When she spoke again, her mind likely racing, her voice was quiet. “Why’d I think that?”
“Maybe you werehopingfor that.”
The whimper she let out made him squirm, her despair palpable. She swallowed. “How long will you be in town, Zachary?”
The nerves that radiated from her balanced him. “Long as we need.”
Chapter 7
Charlie
Itwastoomuchto process. Her emotions were running the paces.
Also, Amber was right. All the feels were rushing back, and she felt her inner teenage crush rear its bumbling head. For a moment, her mind went rogue. Zachary, sliding his hands around her waist and pulling her to him, unable to wait any longer to kiss her senseless. It had beenyearssince that fantasy last surfaced.
How was that cocky half-grin as hot as his full-on smile? And the stubble on his jawline? She’d been indifferent to facial hair before but had a feeling he could grow a beard down to his clavicle and she’d offer to oil it for him.
Shit. Thoughts of oiling him up wouldnothelp.
She gulped. “I didn’t think you’d be working with us beyond this week.” As though repeating the sentiment would help.
He shrugged broad shoulders, the waffle cotton of a long-sleeve navy thermal flirting with his lean muscles. “Makes sense to, don’t you think? I can take Dad’s spot until he’s no longer out of commission.”
“You’ll staythat long?”
