Page 27 of Charlie
“Right, but you already know I’m great company. Two, have a friend call you twenty minutes in. If you need an excuse you can say that your friend needs you and it’s an emergency.
He looked down at my phone. “Is your friend going to call you in a few minutes then?”
I gave a playful smile. “You’ll just have to wait and see.” I held up a third finger. “Three, don’t shave your legs. That way you know you won’t be tempted to have sex on the first date.
“At least I have complied with that rule.” Charles raised his pants leg a little. “I didn’t shave my legs this morning.”
“No?” I leaned my head to one side and sighed. “I get it. You don’t want to come off as easy. Good call.”
Charles was just about to take a sip from his coffee and laughed into the cup. “Yup, that was my great concern. A man has to watch out for his reputation, you know?”
“Absolutely. A woman too, so let it be noted that my legs might be smooth, but that’s because I had permanent hair removal done a few years back, not because I shaved them for you.”
“I would never assume that you did.” He looked relaxed and amused and I found him incredibly handsome with his light stubble, amber-colored eyes, and dark eyebrows that were a few shades darker than his hair. We sat and smiled at each other while people were coming onto the bus.
“Did your sister have any other great rules that I should know about?”
“Yes, rule number four: always bring money for a taxi. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere and have to rely on others.”
Charles shook his head. “We’re going across Ireland. Do you have any idea how much a taxi would cost from the west coast to where I live? Nah, I would find a different solution.” He turned in his seat and looked around in the bus. “There’s a single woman a bit further down. I’m sure she would let me sit with her if I asked nicely.”
“Alright, but at least follow the fifth rule. It’s to take a picture of your date with your phone. That way if you end up strangled to death, at least the police will have an easier time finding the killer.” I took a photo with my phone and smiled. “Now, if you turn out to be a psychopath, at least the police will know what you look like.”
When Charles took a picture of me, I made a grimace, baring my teeth, and looking insane.
He chuckled. “Gorgeous as always.” Charles blinked his eyes and his shoulder lifted in a tic. “I’m surprised how much you can remember from your sister’s advice, since you seem to blatantly disregard it all.”
Around us, white noise quieted down as the guide came on board and took the microphone, telling us that her name was Sinead and sharing practical details about the trip. “You can expect to be home around eight o’clock tonight, but depending on traffic it might be nine or later. Yesterday we got stuck behind a farmer with his herd of sheep and it delayed us by quite a bit, but that’s Ireland for you.”
People laughed and buckled up as the bus began rolling down the street.
The first half hour was easy since Sinead pointed out sights in Dublin, from Temple Bar, an area full of bars and restaurants, to the Guinness brewery. She talked about the city, and sights not to miss, and all the time Charles and I sat and listened.
Then we hit the highway and Sinead said, “I’m going to be quiet for a while now. Our first stop will be in an hour and a half. If you’re tired and want to nap, this is a good time to do it.”
“Ah, a nap sounds nice.” Charles drank the last of his coffee and fished a packet of chewing gum from his pocket. “Do you want some?”
“No, thank you. I prefer the sweet taste of cocoa on my tongue, but it’s very considerate of you to use gum. I’m not a fan of coffee breath.”
Charles pursed his lips. “Sometimes I think you have less of a filter than me.”
“I’m just being honest.”
“And direct.”
“Is that bad?” My pulse sped up a little. From the moment I’d seen Charles yesterday, I’d been as eager to make a good impression as the first time I’d met him.
“No, it’s… refreshing.” He rested his hands on his lap and spread his legs a little, making his left thigh touch mine. It released a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I might be here by Mr. Robertson’s request, but the feelings Charles awoke in me were very real.
“Did you… did you want to sleep a little?” I asked. “You can rest your head on my shoulder if you want.”
“No, it’s fine. Why? Are you tired?”
“A little; it’s night in the US and I haven’t adapted to European time yet.”
“Then rest your head.” He patted his shoulder and the temptation of being close to him made me accept his offer.
The bus drove through Ireland and part of me wanted to keep my eyes open and take in the landscape, but the rocking movements and the warmth and closeness of Charles made my eyelids heavy.
