Page 81 of Hold Me Instead
Eventually, Charlie softened. He wasn’t sure if it was from those words or if it was relief that he hadn’t spilled the news about their kiss. That had to be at the root of her panic. It wasn’t his place to share it anyway, though he wondered what intensity Amber would aim his way once she found out. She’d probably pull the classic “If you hurt her…” threat, which he’d fully expect and appreciate. He was feeling the same way—about himself.
He swallowed, his throat dry, his breath stuttering. No one else noticed he had tripped himself up. That he’d realized for certain his feelings for Charlie were more than friendly, and not just a one-off. That he’d been searching her out all day like a sunflower seeking the sun.
Her light touch pulled him back.
“Um. What?”
“Cleo and Amber are leaving,” Charlie said.
“It was nice meeting you,” Cleo said.
“Doc, keep up the good work,” Amber added.
Charlie rolled her eyes as they hugged her goodbye and left. She faced him, keeping a respectable distance. Which felt too far.
This is bad.
“Everyone will be packing up soon. We’ll store tents inside for tomorrow’s early pickup, but most of the staff is here so it should go quick.”
“Okay.”
She looked tired and windblown, but her pale skin and red cheeks made the green of her eyes sparkle. “We kicked ass today,”she whispered. “I don’t have the final count from all the booths, but it’s the best year we’ve had. I can’t wait to tell your dad.”
“Harris, that’s awesome.” He wanted to hug her. “You should be proud.”
“Thanks.” She beamed. “So you admire me, huh?”
“Hell yes.”
Her blush overpowered her wind-kissed cheeks.
“You deserve to hear that,” he added.
“I admire you too,” she said softly.
He straightened, felt the confidence that had dwindled that last year or so trickling back. Felt like he belonged.
He stepped closer, grinning as she looked up with wide eyes.
“We still on for dinner?”
She nodded.
He couldn’t wait.
Chapter 23
Charlie
Charliemanagedtoturnoff her car, unbuckle her seatbelt, and step halfway out the door all at once. Initially, her excitement at having Zachary over had bubbled and fizzed into a champagne party for her stomach. But reality had quickly swept in on the short drive to her place. Was it clean? How cluttered was it? Was underwear on the floor?
Wassheclean?
At least they’d both been working all day, and not in sweltering heat, but a quick touch-up would be ideal.
The garage door closed as she hurried inside, knowing full well Zachary would be at her front door in no time, even with dropping Maple off at Jordan’s so the old girl could sleep. The living room was decent, aside from mail on the coffee table. She pretended the knit blankets spilling off the couch were a carefree artistic choice and tossed throw pillows from the floor onto the couch and armchair. Then she half-kicked, half-carried the laundry basket full of clothes into her bedroom.
A quick scan of the kitchen showed a sink with some of the morning’s dishes and a pile of mail on the counter—not terrible. Oh, and another pile of mail on the small table tucked by the window, along with the open shipping box of treats and food for Toothless.
