Page 82 of Hold Me Instead
“Whatever,” she muttered, and moved back to the living room.
She glanced out the window—there he was, parked, inside his car. She squinted through the darkness, and from the faint visor mirror light, saw him shove his fingers through his hair.
“God, he’s cute.” She spun around and nearly stepped on Toothless, who called out a warning meow. “Sorry, little peanut!” Charlie yelled, racing to the bathroom.
With a pump of lavender lotion, she rubbed her hands together and patted behind her ears. She pulled her hair free from the hat and ponytail and fluffed it. “Nope,” she said, loosely plaiting snarly sections as she stepped out of the bathroom, the timing perfect with the knock at her door.
She flipped the hair band around the end of the braid and opened the door.
Zachary walked in with a cooler. “Easier to bring the whole thing in, hope that’s alright. Maybe we could make it a picnic right here?”
“Love that idea.” Charlie scooted the coffee table farther from the couch and flipped a lightweight teal blanket onto the floor.Chill, Charlie.“Um, what can I get you to drink? I have wine and…water. That might be it, actually.”
“Wine or water?” Zachary grinned.
“I’m really good at keeping the essentials around,” Charlie said, smiling back. “I do have oat milk, if you wanna go wild.”
Zachary tossed his jacket on the arm of the couch, effectively closing the distance between them. “Wine sounds great.”
She nodded, her head tilted to look up at him. “Great.”
He brushed a strand of hair from her face. Whenever she was around him, those flyaways didn’t bother her so much.
“You just did this?” He asked the question softly, his fingers toying with her braid.
“Mmm,” she replied. Words escaped her, especially when he tugged lightly, urging her closer.
Her stomach growled, and Zachary chuckled. Her desire to stare at him was strong, but her hunger game was stronger. She gestured toward the blanket.
“Have a seat, please. I’ll be right back.”
“Why, thank you.”
She looked back at his teasing and laughed nervously at her formal tone.
“So awkward, Charlotte,” she hissed as she tore into her wine selection. She grabbed one of her favorite reds from the small collection in her cabinet and a chardonnay from the fridge. With a bottle and glass entwined in each hand, she made the short trek back to the living room, stopping short.
Toothless was curled up on Zachary, eyes closed and head back as he scratched under her chin. She’d secured the best seat in the house. Levi would occasionally hold her in his burly arms, but curled up in Zachary’slap,she looked precious. And he looked even more delicious.
She emitted a strange sound, a mix between clearing her throat and forcing out a chuckle.“Looks like someone made a new friend,” she said, walking into the room.Great,that’s something Mom would say.
“She’s sweet,” Zachary said.
“Oh yeah.” Charlie settled on the blanket across from them. “She is not shy when it comes to affection. Red or white?I brought both.”
“Red.” Zachary gave Charlie his full attention while he absentmindedly pet Toothless, who purred like the happy cat she was. “Your place is nice. Very you.”
She opened the bottle and poured. “Thanks. Levi owns the building actually and rents out this apartment.”
“Ah. Convenient to live next to the owner.”
“It is. He does a lot of the handiwork or ropes his brother-in-law to help out. Damion’s in construction,” she added, as if he cared to learn extraneous information about her friend. She handed him his glass and raised hers in a toast before taking a sip.
She looked around the small living room, the intricate molding original but painted white for a more modern look, accented by gray walls. The space was large enough for her couch and coffee table, a small stand for her TV, and a cozy navy armchair. Narrow built-ins on either side of the picture window held books and picture frames. She loved the charm of her place, the old bones intact and blending with the cosmetic updates Levi had incorporated. It was cute, with character that relieved Charlie from the stress of interior decorating.
“Looks well taken care of.”
“God yes. I’m lucky. Plus, his family brings me delicious fudge.” She shook her head in mock dismay and took another sip of wine.
