Page 25 of Charlie
Liv was naturally beautiful and so outgoing that she could have any man she wanted. What was I supposed to write back? I tried a bit of humor.
Charles: Is that why you licked at my coffee cup?
Liv: Duh… what else do you do when you find someone attractive?
I laughed. Geez, she was cute and I couldn’t stop smiling.
Charles: If I’d asked you out that day, would you have said yes?”
My heart was beating fast in my chest. There was a real chance of her rejecting me. I’d taken a risk by bringing it up.
Liv: Sure, and then I would have squealed a little.
Charles: Good thing I didn’t then. I hate squealing girls.
Liv: See, I told you I’m too much to handle. The mere mention of a squeal and you’re running.
Charles: Not running, just writing ear plugs on my grocery list.
Liv: Promise you’ll be there tomorrow.
I felt feather light inside. I had dreamed about Liv and now she was flirting with me. Problem was, I had no experience flirting and every answer I tried to write, I deleted again because I sounded lame or too desperate. Finally, after beating myself up for at least ten minutes for not being able to produce a simple answer, I fell back on what Conor had taught me about never limiting myself and so I reached for the stars.
Charles: It’s a date!
I kept looking at the phone for her answer, but it remained silent.
Charles: Liv?
Dammit! Had I misread her signals?
Charles: It doesn’t have to be a date.
Charles: Did you fall asleep or are you the one running now?
Charles: Okay, either your phone died, you fell asleep, or I’m going to show up to a bus full of tourists and be the only American because you got cold feet.
CHAPTER5
Bus Trip
Liv
I was already there when the large tour bus arrived at 6:15 a.m. The driver parked and the guide opened the door to smile at me. “Ah, an early bird, are ye?”
“No. Just still on American time, and to be honest, I get motion sick, so I figured I’d secure seats up front.”
“Good thing you came early then. The bus fills up fast.”
Getting out of the bus, the female guide brought out her list of names. “Let’s get you crossed off, shall we?”
“Liv and Charles.”
“All right.” She smiled and nodded to the bus. “You get first pick.”
I chose the first row, which would allow us the best view, and then I found my phone and went over messages.
It was sweet how Charles had written me after I fell asleep; I was just about to answer him when an incoming call from Mr. Robertson made me sit up straighter before answering. “Hello?”
